Jack90
Denver
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Joined: 04/03/2023
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Hi everyone,
I have a 2021, Ram 3500, diesel, single wheel, leaf springs, stock suspension, with a 3,000 wet weight slide in truck camper.
I do have aftermarket firestone air bags installed along with a aftermarket sway bar.
I am nit picking a bit, but I find the firestone air bags a bit bouncy, so I hit a bump and and the back bounces, then that make the fronts bounce and gets in a porpoising motion for a few seconds. I could go and get a pair of custom leaf packs made, but was wondering if any of you have the SuperSprings additional leaf installed and...
1. Do you like them?
2. What size do you recommend? I called and they recommended the SSA15 a load level capacity of 3,000 lb, but wasn't convinced of the answer. I wonder though if the SSA23 with a 2,300 lb capacity would be a better dampening ride?
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Oregun
Oregon
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Joined: 02/28/2015
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That should give a firmer ride than airbags.
I installed lower and upper torklifts on my F-350 and was able to adjust the lowers.
Are the SuperSprings adjustable?
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Jack90
Denver
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Oregun wrote:That should give a firmer ride than airbags.
I installed lower and upper torklifts on my F-350 and was able to adjust the lowers.
Are the SuperSprings adjustable?
>>They only say for the adjustability of - The SuperSpring includes a patented roller shackle on each end that allows for self-adjustment as weight is changed. This is particularly helpful as you add water, tools or heavy gear to your vehicle.
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enblethen
Moses Lake, WA
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Call Henderson line up for the best information.
Bud
USAF Retired
Pace Arrow
2003 Chev Ice Road Tracker
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jimh406
Western MT
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You are probably running too much air in the air bags. You probably should be running 20-40 lbs. Also, you can extend the bump stops (if Rams have them) to make contact with the springs sooner.
'10 Ford F-450, 6.4, 4.30, 4x4, 14,500 GVWR, '06 Host Rainer 950 DS, Torklift Talon tiedowns, Glow Steps, and Fastguns. Bilstein 4600s, Firestone Bags, Toyo M655 Gs, Curt front hitch, Energy Suspension bump stops.
NRA Life Member, CCA Life Member
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Jack90
Denver
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I have tried all psi's on the air bags, but I have settled on 26 psi being the best, but I have gone from 0 up to 154. They are plumbed through a air compressor so I can change them on the fly going down the road with the remote that firestone provides.
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Reisender
NA
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Joined: 12/09/2018
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We had then on our E350 22 foot b plus Motorhome. It both raised the rear end 2 inches and stiffened it up. They worked well for the 7 years we had the Motorhome.
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JimK-NY
NY
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Joined: 05/12/2010
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I had an absolutely horrible experience with airbags. The dealer set them up about 45 psi. The bouncing was so bad I did not make it out of the parking lot. We dropped the pressure to about 15-20 psi. The ride was still bad so I got Rancho shocks and set them at maximum. There was still some bounce. Unfortunately the shocks gave a stiff, jarring ride.
Later on I got SuperSprings and the ride was greatly, greatly improved especially since I was able to back off on the settings for the shocks. I believe they are somewhat adjustable but that is a trial and error process that involves jacking up the rear end.
On my current truck, I have been able to get by without adding SSs. Instead I went to Timbrens. Way, way better than airbags. They help minimize rear end sag and increase the strength of the rear suspension without the bounce and sway. Even better when the camper is not on the truck they are not engaged and do not affect the ride.
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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Jack90 wrote:I have tried all psi's on the air bags, but I have settled on 26 psi being the best, but I have gone from 0 up to 154. They are plumbed through an air compressor so I can change them on the fly going down the road with the remote that firestone provides.
154? ![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/eek.gif "eek")
Supplementing spring rate with steel will be more stable than with air.
However if your camper really only weighs 3000lbs, you are kinda nit picking, especially if your biggest gripe is a little porpoising and not body roll.
That said I’d take more springs over airbags. Until I had to drive around bobtail with no weight in the back.
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold
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valhalla360
No paticular place.
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Joined: 08/19/2009
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Jack90 wrote:I have tried all psi's on the air bags, but I have settled on 26 psi being the best, but I have gone from 0 up to 154. They are plumbed through a air compressor so I can change them on the fly going down the road with the remote that firestone provides.
If you've played with the PSI on the bags, I would expect it to be an issue with the shocks.
Springs (of any type) will generally allow repeated bouncing without some other force to stop them. That's where shocks come in. They tend to dampen the repeating aspect.
Being a 2021, the shocks should be OK but probably should check.
One question: Where did you get the 3000lb from? Was this at a scale or off the sticker on the side of the camper. If it's the empty weight, you could easily be north of 4000-4500lb of load...so are you over the payload of the truck?
Tammy & Mike
Ford F250 V10
2021 Gray Wolf
Gemini Catamaran 34'
Full Time spliting time between boat and RV
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