'21 Ram 2500 w/rear air suspension- first tow

[AJ in CO]

Last weekend we took delivery of our Globetrotter 27FBQ after a looong 7 month wait. Our TV is a '21 Ram 2500 Limited 4x4- 6.7 Cummins with the rear air suspension (yes- a measly 1910lbs. payload..., I get it). I debated whether to go with a 1/2 ton or 3/4 truck for weeks- reading the many many posts here on payload, towing, hitches, etc. It all can make your head spin.

I liked the idea of an auto-leveling suspension, but could find almost no information on hitch setup and towing experiences, so I thought this post might help others considering a Ram 2500 with rear air suspension.

We took delivery at AS of NM in ABQ and towed home to Denver (about 450 miles) after a couple days at the KOA off of I40 (literally less than a mile from the dealer) to try our systems.

Dealer setup our WD hitch (Equalizer with 10k bars- 6 washers). I was concerned that the auto level function would cause problems with setup, but it didn't. Per the Ram owners manual, the truck was left running with air suspension set to Alternate Trailer Height, and the suspension leveled and then re-leveled itself with WD bars off and then on. Leveled spot-on, it was pretty cool to see.

We weighed with WD on and off at a CAT scale south of Raton on the way home and confirmed all weights- TV axles were exactly 50/50, tongue weight 1050lbs., with payload to spare. Good news there- happy to post CAT tickets if anyone is interested.

The Ram pulled, stopped, and handled great using Tow/Haul and the Auto Exhaust Brake. We were up and over Raton Pass without downshifting on the climb, and without touching the brakes on the way down. That was fun- super easy towing.

This is already long, so I'll wrap it up. Thanks to jeffmc306 and others on this board who have posted great comparisons and payload discussions- this is great place to learn- hope this post is helpful to others considering a Ram.

[wulfraat]

Awesome stuff, I really like that feature on the RAM. Glad to hear that you’ve gotten all the bugs worked out and things are towing nicely. You’ve nailed it with a 50/50 weight distribution front to rear.

If you know what you are doing when dialing in your WD hitch you can really make air suspension work to your advantage / improve overall handling.

I installed aftermarket air springs on my GMC 2500 with manual control over pressure and spring rate. Have pro pride hitch. Have everything calibrated just so.... and truck / trailer are dead level towing with great weight distribution back to the steer axle and great overall weight balance front / rear. The air bags add additional spring rate for the rear axle without making for a harsh ride - truck and trailer behave very nicely.

Air bags do not replace weight distribution or sway control of the hitch, they can compliment them if setup correctly.

Enjoy your new ride!

[tjdonahoe]

My 2500 ram has the rear coil springs..they are fine as was the leaf spring...the air option looks interesting

[WhatNext]

Just for comparison: My 2021 RAM 2500 Tradesman Crew Cab 6.4 Hemi has a max payload of 2990 lbs. Standard coil springs. Haven’t towed anything heavy yet.

[wulfraat]

Originally Posted by WhatNext

Just for comparison: My 2021 RAM 2500 Tradesman Crew Cab 6.4 Hemi has a max payload of 2990 lbs. Standard coil springs. Haven’t towed anything heavy yet.

Coil or leaf springs are fine and work very well on their own. That is not in question.

Air suspension - primary or supplementary is the discussion point

All 3/4 or 1-ton trucks from any manufacturer will tow any airstream without question.

Air suspension can improve certain towing and vehicle dynamics but is by no means necessary.

[jeffmc306]

AJ, I’m so glad everything came together for you with the truck and trailer setup! And Delmonico Red + Silver Airstream is a beautiful combination

I’m envious of your rear air suspension (and Cummins) as well. We just got back from a trip to Virginia Highland Haven Airstream Park and the 6.4 Hemi did fine in the hills so I can’t complain. We’re heading out to Colorado in July; will wave one the way by!
-Jeff

[jsaucier]

Originally Posted by AJ in CO

Last weekend we took delivery of our Globetrotter 27FBQ after a looong 7 month wait. Our TV is a '21 Ram 2500 Limited 4x4- 6.7 Cummins with the rear air suspension (yes- a measly 1910lbs. payload..., I get it). I debated whether to go with a 1/2 ton or 3/4 truck for weeks- reading the many many posts here on payload, towing, hitches, etc. It all can make your head spin.

I liked the idea of an auto-leveling suspension, but could find almost no information on hitch setup and towing experiences, so I thought this post might help others considering a Ram 2500 with rear air suspension.

We took delivery at AS of NM in ABQ and towed home to Denver (about 450 miles) after a couple days at the KOA off of I40 (literally less than a mile from the dealer) to try our systems.

Dealer setup our WD hitch (Equalizer with 10k bars- 6 washers). I was concerned that the auto level function would cause problems with setup, but it didn't. Per the Ram owners manual, the truck was left running with air suspension set to Alternate Trailer Height, and the suspension leveled and then re-leveled itself with WD bars off and then on. Leveled spot-on, it was pretty cool to see.

We weighed with WD on and off at a CAT scale south of Raton on the way home and confirmed all weights- TV axles were exactly 50/50, tongue weight 1050lbs., with payload to spare. Good news there- happy to post CAT tickets if anyone is interested.

The Ram pulled, stopped, and handled great using Tow/Haul and the Auto Exhaust Brake. We were up and over Raton Pass without downshifting on the climb, and without touching the brakes on the way down. That was fun- super easy towing.

This is already long, so I'll wrap it up. Thanks to jeffmc306 and others on this board who have posted great comparisons and payload discussions- this is great place to learn- hope this post is helpful to others considering a Ram.

Congrats on new AS! Thanks for posting good info!

[tbrowne]

Nice looking combo. You should get a lot of enjoyment out of the pair.

[Dennis C]

Great looking rig! Glad you're happy with your setup!

[SilverWind]

We love the auto rear leveling system on our 2016 RAM 2500 Laramie 4x4 Diesel Crew Cab. Equalizer Hitch with 10 K bars. Truck stays level and the ride is better when switched on. I leave Alternate Trailer Height on most of the time for a more compliant ride and easier rear access. It's controllable height makes hooking up and un-hooking much easier on uneven surfaces.

Max payload is 2150. The 6.7 Diesel is very heavy compared to the gas Hemi.

My only complaint about the RAM is the weight saving "temporary" spare tire. Not great for trailer towers who run into trouble in the wilds. We took a spare wheel and tire to Alaska just in case we had tire failure in a remote area.

[civeng99]

How did you like the Alaska trip? On my list!

[jeffmc306]

Originally Posted by SilverWind

My only complaint about the RAM is the weight saving "temporary" spare tire. Not great for trailer towers who run into trouble in the wilds. We took a spare wheel and tire to Alaska just in case we had tire failure in a remote area.

SilverWind, our 2019 RAM 2500 has a full size LT285/60R20 spare on a steel wheel. Maybe they finally changed it for good.

[BF_Brewing]

Can you go step by step on hooking the trailer up with the air suspension? Do you just select alternate trailer height and hook it all up and then drive in that mode? What about unhooking? I fight with my 2022 GT to remove it from the ball.

Thanks,

Scott

[AJ in CO]

Hi Scott,
I towed our 27GT with our Ram 2500 on 9 trips, about 5000 miles since I first posted above. I'm still no expert, but I did find a couple things that might help.
I always tow at Alternate Trailer Height, and I noticed that whenever unhitching the truck would raise slightly to re-level itself, "following" the hitch coupler up an inch or so as I raised the tongue jack. that would sometimes make it hard to disconnect if not on level ground. I think that is the same thing you're referring to.
I found that if I hitch and unhitch with "Bed Lowering" engaged through the UConnect menu, then the truck holds a static height. To me, it makes it easier to connect without the truck trying to level.
So, my steps to hitch are; select alternate trailer height (don't hitch yet), then select Bed Lowering, then back under the hitch coupler, lower the tongue onto ball, hook chains, 7-way, etc. Once hooked up, select bed lowering again and the truck will return to Alternate Trailer Height.
For unhitching just select bed lowering before doing anything with the tongue jack and the truck will hold that lowered height. Works well for me- hope that info is helpful.

[StevenD]

AJ
Great info. I’m considering the Air Supension option with a 2022 Ram similar to yours. I have read that the alternate ride height setting drops the back about 1 inch. Is that at the axle? Also, how much more does it drop when the bed lowering setting is selected?
Thanks, Steve

[Gibson3798]

Very accurate description of the difference in going up and down grades, using a truck made for towing as opposed to using one better suited for towing in Florida.

I have the same truck without the leveling apparatus and it works very well.

Thanks!

[AJ in CO]

Steve- I’ve never actually measured the exact ride height difference, but the manual says that Alternate Trailer Height is about an inch lower than normal and that seems correct for the “at axle” difference. I’d estimate that Bed Lowering mode drops the rear another 1 to 2 inches at most. Best thing to me is that the truck and trailer stay level regardless of load variations when in the ATH setting.