Interesting - Payload Warning Sensor!

[cru-in]

Hi Team,

We tow with a RAM 1500 with four corner air suspension. Reading, I found our it has a paylaod sensor. If you exceed the payload of the truck, a warning light is displayed and the air suspension is deactivated.

I have mixed emotions about this.
1) I think it is kind of cool to know you are operating within the vehicle's payload limits.
2) If it fails, it would lead to deactivating air suspension. Fortunately, sensors/systems are pretty reliable.

Thought you all would find this interesting.
Dan

[kittmaster]

Those air suspension shocks are expensive, I had to replace a pair on my 2016 Yukon XL and it was north of $2k repairs. I was fortunate that it was covered under my extended warranty. I think safety over all is the right precedence of use case.....because ....like the "oil idiot light" will be ignored by most.

[cru-in]

Originally Posted by kittmaster

Those air suspension shocks are expensive, I had to replace a pair on my 2016 Yukon XL and it was north of $2k repairs. I was fortunate that it was covered under my extended warranty. I think safety over all is the right precedence of use case.....because most.....like the "oil idiot light" will be ignored by most.

Concur on the expense. the plan is this is the last TV we will own. For an extra $2.2K, we got the " forever warranty" from RAM. Covers pretty much everything (except emission stuff go figure) with a $50 deductible. For as long as the original owner owns the vehicle. In the event the repair costs more than the value of the vehicle, RAM cuts us a check for the value of the vehicle. Covers Roadside assistance, $1000 trip interruption, lost keyfobs, etc. We brought the Truck the last week RAM offered it. It was a losing proposition for them.

As this is not just a warning light, it disables the air suspension, it is a bit harder to ignore.

[Bill M.]

What I see good about this post is that you had to read about the sensor. I assume that it has never come on while you were towing. So it sounds like you are in good shape on payload.

Sometimes people way overload pickups. So I guess Dodge sees the need for protecting the system.

[jeffmc306]

I agree Bill. There’s a guy on the HD RAM Forums who bought a new RAM 2500 for his monster 5th wheel. He blew out the rear airbags because the pin weight exceeded the truck’s capacity.

It tripped the onboard computer’s overload sensors and the factory denied his warranty claim. He eventually made a deal with the dealer to trade it in on a properly equipped RAM 3500 dual rear wheel truck. Face Palm!

[switz]

Like all things electrical, a false positive because of the load sensor failure could be a major issue disabling the vehicle. I doubt Dodge will reimburse for all the extra expenses generated when disabled in a remote area from a false positive. Just saying technology is great when it works...

[cru-in]

Looking at a RAM 1500 forums. this is interesting:

" looking at the electric diagrams for the air suspension. There are four weight sensors, one per wheel. They are labeled SENSOR - WEIGHT RIGHT FRONT, and so on. Each sensor uses 3 wires, power, return and signal."

Interesting....

As mentioned, there are reports of denying warranty service because the over weight warning light and sensor tripped...

[SUP'n Woman]

Originally Posted by cru-in

Hi Team,

We tow with a RAM 1500 with four corner air suspension. Reading, I found our it has a paylaod sensor. If you exceed the payload of the truck, a warning light is displayed and the air suspension is deactivated.

I have mixed emotions about this.
1) I think it is kind of cool to know you are operating within the vehicle's payload limits.
2) If it fails, it would lead to deactivating air suspension. Fortunately, sensors/systems are pretty reliable.

Thought you all would find this interesting.
Dan

Dan/Cru-in, what year is your Ram?? Thanks!

[cru-in]

Originally Posted by SUP'n Woman

Dan/Cru-in, what year is your Ram?? Thanks!

2019, the first year of the new model...I have read that the payload sensor is also on previous models that have 4 corner air suspension.

[solomon.m]

I was reading about the new all-electric Ford F150 Lightning and there is mention of onboard scales that measure payload weight automatically based on the specific capability of the truck, displays approximate payload weight in the truck. Additionally the truck can be set to scale mode, zeroing out the current load and allows approximate weighing of additional items in the pickup.

Sounds like useful capabilities, not sure if Ford would use the data for warranty, but seems plausible.

[SUP'n Woman]

Originally Posted by cru-in

Hi Team,

We tow with a RAM 1500 with four corner air suspension. Reading, I found our it has a paylaod sensor. If you exceed the payload of the truck, a warning light is displayed and the air suspension is deactivated.

I have mixed emotions about this.
1) I think it is kind of cool to know you are operating within the vehicle's payload limits.
2) If it fails, it would lead to deactivating air suspension. Fortunately, sensors/systems are pretty reliable.

Thought you all would find this interesting.
Dan

Do all Ram 1500’s have this sensor?? We’re trying to decide between the Ram1500 or F150! Thanks in advance! Rhonda

[cru-in]

Originally Posted by SUP'n Woman

Do all Ram 1500’s have this sensor?? We’re trying to decide between the Ram1500 or F150! Thanks in advance! Rhonda

my understanding is the all RAM 1500s with four corner air suspension have the weight sensor.

We went back and forth between the F150 and RAM 1500. The Mercede's like ride with air suspension and RAM's interior won us over. Both are really great trucks. Depending on your needs, IMO you can't go wrong with either one.

[Bobbo]

Whereas I went with the F-150 for the greater payload rating.