Air bags and WD hitch attachment

[Bright67]

I have a 2018 RAM 2500 with stock airbag suspension. For those who have a similar system do you keep your truck running (so airbags adjust) while you are attaching the WD bars? Just to be clear, I’m not talking about the initial set up of the WD hitch; but instead when you are taking the trailer out and hitching up.

So when trailer load is placed on hitch, the suspension adjusts; then when jack is extended to put WD bars on, suspension adjusts; then when jack is retracted, suspension adjusts. Or do you just turn off truck and do all of the attachment and then start the truck and allow to adjust?

[wulfraat]

I don’t have airbags with my 2500 but best practice is to turn off the truck, disconnect battery (so EAS does not activate), drop the coupler onto the ball, adjust WD, then reconnect batts and start her back up.

You will still have sag on a 2500 due to wheelbase and vehicle mass vs leverage delivered by the hitch but if you recover 1” on the rear with WD you are good.

Others with a ram can weigh in and then we can banter about dialing in WD

[jeffmc306]

I checked my 2019 Ram 2500 manual and found the Tire/Jack Mode will disable the air suspension so you can safely connect the WD hitch. Just return it to normal operation once you’re finished.

[kendrick.l.j]

I have the truck you’re talking about and as Jeffmc stated put the suspension in the Tire/jack mode to disable the airbag then hookup. Go to the menu in controls, scroll down to suspension and select the Jack mode. After you’re all hooked up the system will automatically go back to the trailer haul suspension after you get going.

[kendrick.l.j]

Oh! And when you’re ready to unhook you’ll need to place the suspension in Jack mode again or you’ be fighting the airbags while trying to disengage the WD/anti-sway hitch.

[out of sight]

I have a similar rig and it does not require a WD or sway control hitch. My suggestion would be to lose the hitch. You will see that it tows better without it.

Originally Posted by Bright67

I have a 2018 RAM 2500 with stock airbag suspension. For those who have a similar system do you keep your truck running (so airbags adjust) while you are attaching the WD bars? Just to be clear, I’m not talking about the initial set up of the WD hitch; but instead when you are taking the trailer out and hitching up.

So when trailer load is placed on hitch, the suspension adjusts; then when jack is extended to put WD bars on, suspension adjusts; then when jack is retracted, suspension adjusts. Or do you just turn off truck and do all of the attachment and then start the truck and allow to adjust?

[Hermes]

Originally Posted by out of sight

I have a similar rig and it does not require a WD or sway control hitch. My suggestion would be to lose the hitch. You will see that it tows better without it.

Humm,.. this should generate a fair bit of reaction!

Depending of the type of hitch you have, certain hitches (such as the Equalizer and others with a similar design) use the weight distribution bars for sway control as well.

For a thread on airbags and weight distribution see among others:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f238...ds-195860.html

[Bnbright62]

Thanks for all the advice. I have a Reese Strait-Line hitch; so, yes, sway control is also a benefit. I do sometimes travel on local trips without it but prefer the piece of mind on long/higher speed trips. I will try the Tire Jack as some have suggested.