Alternative to Airbags

[DTX2023Tremor]

Had similar on original 21 Tremor 350. More of an install and forget mod. Less maintainence but no adjustments. Increased unloaded ride height 1-2 inches but greatly improved ride and sag when loaded down with #3800 pin weight of 5er. Think these would be better for someone with a constant load or tows more than 5-6 times a year. Took them off (still sitting in my garage) after 3 months and went with timbrens. They do everything they are suppose to do with no fuss and very little chance for failure.

It looks like you're able to adjust the tension on these... Is it too much of a pain to make adjustments? Wondering if would be practical to adjust it to a lesser tension for long periods without heavy towing and then adjust it up to offset higher payload.

Also, it looks like one is installed on each side, is it difficult to get the left and right balanced (i.e., so one side isn't softer/firmer than the other)?

 

[Harrycomes]

It looks like you're able to adjust the tension on these... Is it too much of a pain to make adjustments? Wondering if would be practical to adjust it to a lesser tension for long periods without heavy towing and then adjust it up to offset higher payload.

Also, it looks like one is installed on each side, is it difficult to get the left and right balanced (i.e., so one side isn't softer/firmer than the other)?

I have these on a f150. They are pretty easy to adjust with a ratcheting wrench. I used a coin between the springs to make sure both sides were even.

 

[300blkout]

It looks like you're able to adjust the tension on these... Is it too much of a pain to make adjustments? Wondering if would be practical to adjust it to a lesser tension for long periods without heavy towing and then adjust it up to offset higher payload.

Also, it looks like one is installed on each side, is it difficult to get the left and right balanced (i.e., so one side isn't softer/firmer than the other)?

Sorry I thought my picture went through.

 

[DTX2023Tremor]

Sorry I thought my picture went through.

Ah... I thought you were taking about Sumos... makes sense now

 

[Frayed]

Isn’t there a drawback to removal of the upper overload springs for the RAS units?

I asked the RAS people but haven’t gotten a response yet.

 

[Bluzharp]

Isn’t there a drawback to removal of the upper overload springs for the RAS units?

I asked the RAS people but haven’t gotten a response yet.

I would not use the RAS on a truck that has the upper overload spring. I installed the SSS-3 upper overload spring spacers to engage the springs sooner when hauling the camper. Works great and makes an aftermarket overload system unnecessary.

 

[cactuschuck]

I have a 2021 Tremor, and the overload spring did indeed need to be taken off for the installation of the RoadActive Suspension Custom Leaf Spring Enhancement Kit - Heavy Duty Item #RAS3611-SLHD. I bought this through eTrailer for $589.00 (no shipping cost). I had the spring tension on the RoadActive system set to 40% (vs 25%) because I am towing a 10,000 lb 5th wheel with an 1800 lb pin weight. The unloaded height from ground to fender went from 45" to about 45-5/8" after the install. With the 1800 lb 5th wheel pin weight on the truck, the ground-to-fender height "without" the RoadActive system was about 42" (a drop of 3"), and "with" the RoadActive system the ground-to-fender height is about 43". I have yet to tow with this RoadActive system, but the suspension without the 5th wheel feels pretty much the same if not just a bit stiffer, especially around corners. Once I tow my trailer and get a better feel for this system, I will do an update to this post.

 

[Vetdoc81]

Had similar on original 21 Tremor 350. More of an install and forget mod. Less maintainence but no adjustments. Increased unloaded ride height 1-2 inches but greatly improved ride and sag when loaded down with #3800 pin weight of 5er. Think these would be better for someone with a constant load or tows more than 5-6 times a year. Took them off (still sitting in my garage) after 3 months and went with timbrens. They do everything they are suppose to do with no fuss and very little chance for failure.

I live full time.in my RV and tow a fifth wheel with 3100 pin weight... you think those are better then the timbren? Thanks! Do you still have the RAS?

 

[behindenemylines]

So the time has come for me to add some suspension upgrades to my '22 and I am not sure what route to go down and wanted to ask the hive mind. I am looking at the complete kit of the AirLift 5000 with 7300ex compressor and 2.5 gal Viair tank vs the RoadActive suspension upgrade and wanted to hear from people that have done both as far as ride quality, stability, ease of install. My truck does have the heavy tow package with the overload springs but i am leaning towards the air bag setup for the air compressor to be able to air up tires after the beach or driving off-road however i do like the springs for the price tag (1/3 of the price of the airbag kit) and also the lack of electronic components to fail.

What are ya'lls thoughts on the subject?

 

[Modman]

FYI - @behindenemylines I'm going to merge this with the existing thread on the same subject so the info is on one place...

 

[catastrofe]

So the time has come for me to add some suspension upgrades to my '22 and I am not sure what route to go down and wanted to ask the hive mind. I am looking at the complete kit of the AirLift 5000 with 7300ex compressor and 2.5 gal Viair tank vs the RoadActive suspension upgrade and wanted to hear from people that have done both as far as ride quality, stability, ease of install. My truck does have the heavy tow package with the overload springs but i am leaning towards the air bag setup for the air compressor to be able to air up tires after the beach or driving off-road however i do like the springs for the price tag (1/3 of the price of the airbag kit) and also the lack of electronic components to fail.

What are ya'lls thoughts on the subject?

I had airbags on my 2019 Land Cruiser and they did the job of leveling the rear end just fine. Wanting a less complicated solution, I put RAS on my '22 about 2 years ago. The stability and "planted" feel when not towing improved greatly, zero rear-end sag, and towing is firm and stable with no sway. From my experience, I would definitely go RAS on another vehicle (but my wife is gonna' bury me in my Tremor).

 

[Leadmic]

Spend the money, do the airbags with Daystar cups, and connect them up independently with onboard air. This will give you infinite adjustability no matter the load. It also will not harm the offroad articulation in fact it will help. If you get into a situation where you get a wheel off the ground you use the bags to force it to the ground and with the Daystar cups it won't limit the bag travel. It also will not affect the unloaded ride unless you want it to. Connecting the bags up independently will also act like a rear sway bar which the Tremors lack and you can level the truck side to side with varying loads. Outside of price and maintenance, there is no downside.

 

[Turnem]

I have tried both the Timbrens and the RoadActive on my 2021 F350 with a NorthernLite 8-11 truck camper in the bed. I agree with clos85. With the Timbrens, my ride, particularly over washboards and road bumps was harsh and I sensed I was getting axle roll because the truck would bounce and pound several times (more than I think it should have) after hitting a bump on the freeway. The RoadActive rides better, limits side-to-side roll and they feel progressive in the support they provide. They seem to help the suspension recover more quickly and smoothly after hitting a big bump. I don't get that "your shocks are shot" bouncing and harshness when the bump stops hit their limit feel I had with the Timbrens. I have the RoadActive coil springs set to the higher setting due to my camper. Plus, I gained an inch of rear-end height with the RoadActive springs compared to the Timbrens, which are really just better-quality-than-stock bump stops. I still have the Timbrens but I'm not going back to them. The other advantage to the RoadActive over airbags is they do not limit articulation in the same way and are not subject to tearing under articulation.

I’ve got the same truck/camper setup as you. These RoadActive springs are an interesting way to go. My concern is that you have to remove the upper overload springs that are stock on our F-350’s in order to use them. I currently use both upper and lower Stableloads and when camper is on the truck they work great, but when the camper is off the ride is very harsh as the upper Stableloads contact the overload spring on almost every bump in the road. What’s your experience with the RoadActive setup while unloaded?

 

[Turnem]

I would not use the RAS on a truck that has the upper overload spring. I installed the SSS-3 upper overload spring spacers to engage the springs sooner when hauling the camper. Works great and makes an aftermarket overload system unnecessary.

I also have the SSS-3 upper overload spring spacers. They are great with my 3500 lb camper on the truck but the ride unloaded is very harsh as the clearance is only 1/2” from upper spring. Every bump in the road vibrates throughout the truck. Short of removing them when unloaded have you experienced this problem?

 

[Himni]

I’ve got the same truck/camper setup as you. These RoadActive springs are an interesting way to go. My concern is that you have to remove the upper overload springs that are stock on our F-350’s in order to use them. I currently use both upper and lower Stableloads and when camper is on the truck they work great, but when the camper is off the ride is very harsh as the upper Stableloads contact the overload spring on almost every bump in the road. What’s your experience with the RoadActive setup while unloaded?

Zero issue with the overload spring removed. These do it’s job and I’ve had zero issues in 3 years with the RAS setup and towing at near payload/axel limits.

I’ll do the RAS again on my next truck and I’d recommend it to everyone. No maintenance and no need to adjust after installation.

Should be noted that with airbags and towing (at least with a bumper pull) that it will increase the weight on the rear axel possibly overloading the axel while taking weight from the steer axel possibly making the front unsafely light.

 

[gsea]

Should be noted that with airbags and towing (at least with a bumper pull) that it will increase the weight on the rear axel possibly overloading the axel while taking weight from the steer axel possibly making the front unsafely light.

This is often overlooked.

 

[gsea]

Don't suppose anyone has run these RAS units with Progressive Deavers (Carli or otherwise)? I don't like the ride with airbags, nor do I like fussing with them. I'd never heard of these until today, so now I'm intrigued!