Ram 1500 Suspension Upgrade for Towing

[gbaglo]

They didn't test welding the spring coils together or replacing them with steel bars.

[52 chev]

Maybe you could try that and let us know how it turns out. ����

[52 chev]

Meant to put smiley faces on that last post but my computer didn't compute.

[calvinc]

Originally Posted by tannerls

Good Evening:
My wife and I have a 2014 Ram 1500 4X4 Outdoorsman that we use to tow a 2018 19 ft Escape (Love it!). Our hitch weight is around 430 lbs. With the additional camping supplies we carry in the back of the truck along with the driver and passenger, we are still under our weight rating but getting close to our limit. As a result, the back of our vehicle squats more than I would like. I would prefer to stay away from the weight distribution system or air bags if possible. I am now considering heavy duty Coil Spring replacements for the back. I was looking at Super Springs or Tuftruck Coil Springs as a possibility. Has anyone had experience with these or any other brands.

Thanks

Larry

Hi Larry & Janet, this is Calvin & Amber. Still remember us? You showed us your 19ft, and we've gone ahead and ordered one, too. May I ask why not a weight distribution hitch? I'm also looking for a used Ram 1500 to tow and possibly one with "4-Corner air-suspension." I'm not sure if that will solve your problem.

[John in Santa Cruz]

my 2002 f250 doesn't need *any* help to tow a fully loaded escape 21, with a fair bit of gear in the back of the truck. in fact, the truck's factory overload springs (helper leaf spring) doesn't even touch down, its got an inch to go.

of course that truck is sprung to tow a 12500 lb trailer *and* still have 750 lbs of payload (out of its original 2000 lbs, this is assuming 1250 lbs of tongue weight)... ford does recommend using a WDH for trailers over 6500 lbs.

you might check Dodge's tow guidelines for the year and model vehicle you're considering... Ford has a tow book they update each year, like here's my 2002... https://www.fleet.ford.com/resources...s/2002_All.pdf I'd have to assume Dodge has similar...

[Steve Clark]

Originally Posted by calvinc

Hi Larry & Janet, this is Calvin & Amber. Still remember us? You showed us your 19ft, and we've gone ahead and ordered one, too. May I ask why not a weight distribution hitch? I'm also looking for a used Ram 1500 to tow and possibly one with "4-Corner air-suspension." I'm not sure if that will solve your problem.

I have often wondered the same question. One of the desirable features of the Ram pickup is the softer ride quality. When our friends test drove pickups, the Ram was cited for its ‘ride comfort’. Why not keep the softer ride for all times not towing, and add the WDH for the relatively infrequent times when towing. If I wanted the firmer ride of a Ford or GM, I would buy a Ford or GM; not a Ram with added aftermarket suspension features

[Tmaken2157]

I have a tundra and the air bag would be nice but pricey. check out timbrens for 200 a pair, they replace the bump stop, automatically work, and install easily. My truck use to bounce a bit with the casita on back but these things put a stop to that

[davidmurphy02]

We just bought a 2019 Ram, won't have our 5.0TA until next spring so will have to wait until then to see how it does towing. But one improvement they made to the 2019's is that the rear springs are now progressive coil springs, should handle heavy loads better as they get a bit stiffer as the load increases. The earlier Rams had linear coil springs and were prone to a bit of sagging in the back under heavy loads.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Steve Clark

One of the desirable features of the Ram pickup is the softer ride quality. When our friends test drove pickups, the Ram was cited for its ‘ride comfort’. Why not keep the softer ride for all times not towing, and add the WDH for the relatively infrequent times when towing. If I wanted the firmer ride of a Ford or GM, I would buy a Ford or GM; not a Ram with added aftermarket suspension features

That's what air suspension (OEM or aftermarket) does: soft ride (with low air pressure) when unloaded, and control (with higher air pressure) when loaded.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by calvinc

I'm also looking for a used Ram 1500 to tow and possibly one with "4-Corner air-suspension."

That's even better than adding aftermarket air springs to the coil-spring Ram, because it has air springs at both front and rear. That means when you hook up a trailer the front air springs adjust pressure and the front of the truck doesn't lift as it would with regular springs.

[John in Santa Cruz]

not that we use it for towing, but my wife's 1994 Mercedes wagon has what they call SLS, Self Leveling Suspension... this is a hydro-pneumatic system that used a hydraulic pump driven off the engine (its stacked on the power steering pump), and instead of shocks in back, it has hydraulic rams, which are connected to nitrogen spheres that act as a variable rate spring and damper(shock absorber). it sounds kind of complex, but it gives the same limo-smooth ride with superb road control and total lack of 'boaty' float behavior whether the vehicle is empty or loaded to the nines. there are still coil springs in back, adequate for a unloaded vehicle, so the SLS just assists that when loaded. this wagon has a rated payload of 1400 lbs, which is pretty darn good for a compact car. IF we had a hitch on it, I suspect it would be quite competent at towing a 16-17' fiberglass camper... catch-22, the muffler is crosswise just forward of the rear bumper, so the only sort of hitch you can use is a 'gooseneck' european hitch, nearly unobtanium in the USA.

[Mark James]

Echo the Timbren comment. Put them on my Tundra and the result was a smooth suspension.

[tannerls]

Originally Posted by calvinc

Hi Larry & Janet, this is Calvin & Amber. Still remember us? You showed us your 19ft, and we've gone ahead and ordered one, too. May I ask why not a weight distribution hitch? I'm also looking for a used Ram 1500 to tow and possibly one with "4-Corner air-suspension." I'm not sure if that will solve your problem.

Hello Calvin & Amber. Sorry I have not been in the forum for a while. Just noticed your reply. I'm sure you will both be happy with your 19ft. We enjoyed showing you the trailer and look forward to hearing about your experience. Who knows... We may run into you while camping.

Regarding our RAM 1500. We have been towing with just the factory supplied tow package and it handles just fine as is. I am just looking for a better tow experience. Currently in the middle of a home improvement project so I have been distracted but will probably go with either a Weight Distribution hitch or air bags.

Was looking at the Equalizer or the Curt with the Trunnion style for clearance. Also the Timber Grove system looks good. A fairly easy install with no drilling.

I hope this helps but the experts on this forum are far more knowledgeable than I.

[calvinc]

Originally Posted by tannerls

Hello Calvin & Amber. Sorry I have not been in the forum for a while. Just noticed your reply. I'm sure you will both be happy with your 19ft. We enjoyed showing you the trailer and look forward to hearing about your experience. Who knows... We may run into you while camping.

Regarding our RAM 1500. We have been towing with just the factory supplied tow package and it handles just fine as is. I am just looking for a better tow experience. Currently in the middle of a home improvement project so I have been distracted but will probably go with either a Weight Distribution hitch or air bags.

Was looking at the Equalizer or the Curt with the Trunnion style for clearance. Also the Timber Grove system looks good. A fairly easy install with no drilling.

I hope this helps but the experts on this forum are far more knowledgeable than I.

Hi Larry / Janet,
We made it back with our new 19. Backing it onto the unused spot of our driveway (no ramp on that side) was a real challenge. Maybe it'd be easier to find a RV storage like you did. So far we loved our 19. It's really well made. Reace gave us the orientation. Love their family/company and their product!
Calvin

[tannerls]

Originally Posted by calvinc

Hi Larry / Janet,
We made it back with our new 19. Backing it onto the unused spot of our driveway (no ramp on that side) was a real challenge. Maybe it'd be easier to find a RV storage like you did. So far we loved our 19. It's really well made. Reace gave us the orientation. Love their family/company and their product!
Calvin

Calvin.
I have not been on the forum in months since we've been distracted with our home improvement project. I am delighted you took delivery of your Escape 19. You and your family will really enjoy it. Please feel free to PM me on the forum if you have any questions or you can call/text us if you still have our phone number.

Have fun

Larry

[phsw98]

Originally Posted by Tmaken2157

I have a tundra and the air bag would be nice but pricey. check out timbrens for 200 a pair, they replace the bump stop, automatically work, and install easily. My truck use to bounce a bit with the casita on back but these things put a stop to that

Thank you for the Timbren tip, have 2018 Tundra. Looks fairly simple DIY project

[Mark James]

Echo the comments on Timbren pads. Not sure I really needed them but they gave me peace of mind at a reasonable price.

[Oldtimer]

I installed them on our 2017 Z71 and it was All i needed to change on it for towing our 21. Trailer towed wonderfully all the way back from Leyde No bouncing and no sway.. Highly recommend them