vetteyog
Junior Member
Planning to tow a 6500lb gross +/- RV with my 2012 1500. What is better, air bags or variable rate springs? I want to keep my trucks ride height close to stock.
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Variable rate rear springs or air bags...
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2003F350
Senior Member
Before we go any further, what is the tongue weight of that trailer, what is the GVW of that trailer, and what's your RAWR?
I ask because a 6500 lb RV empty could weigh considerably more loaded, possibly enough that it will be uncomfortable towing behind your 1500.
But as a list of basic needs, you'll need a brake controller, weight distribution hitch and sway control (combo unit or separate units is up to you, I prefer the separate sway control but that's me), and you'll need to get all of that properly set up. Best way is to hit a scale.
I ask because a 6500 lb RV empty could weigh considerably more loaded, possibly enough that it will be uncomfortable towing behind your 1500.
But as a list of basic needs, you'll need a brake controller, weight distribution hitch and sway control (combo unit or separate units is up to you, I prefer the separate sway control but that's me), and you'll need to get all of that properly set up. Best way is to hit a scale.
OP
OP
vetteyog
Junior Member
6500lb is gross weight. I have a brake controller and will have the proper hitch. Not sure of the tounge weight, but estimating around 750lbs. I am not new to towing trailers, just looking for what experiences people have had with either setup, and what is the better way to go about handling the added tounge weight of a trailer.
62Blazer
Senior Member
I prefer airbags for occasional towing. Run them empty (or very minimal air) when not towing to not affect ride quality or factory ride height. Then add air as needed for the load. I have an air compressor and hoses already set up in my shop so it only takes a few minutes total to air up the bags. I just have a typical medium size 120 volt air compressor and it literally takes 10 seconds to put 30-40 psi in the bags. If you always haul the same trailer it only takes one time to figure out how much pressure in the bags you need, so just fill them up before hitching up the trailer and go. No reason you should need to adjust the pressure in the bags on an RV as the weight during the trip shouldn't really change much.
Have a friend who put the heavier springs on his rig. Does great with the trailer attached but noticable difference in ride quality empty, and in his particular application it raised the back up a couple inches when empty (not saying all springs will do this, but a possibility).
Have a friend who put the heavier springs on his rig. Does great with the trailer attached but noticable difference in ride quality empty, and in his particular application it raised the back up a couple inches when empty (not saying all springs will do this, but a possibility).
my brother in law and I had identical '19 ram 1500 4x4 ccsb 5.7 and I added airbags and helwig sway bar to stiffen up back end for towing. he went with helwig and progressive coils. we towed the same size/wt. trailer. my setup worked great and he said his did too.
mtofell
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IIRC, those 1500s back in 2012 had some really soft rear ends. I'm guessing with that trailer attached he's going to have some sag. When I got my truck in 2014 and started hanging out here pictures of 1500s with headlights pointing at the sky were daily
I can't recall exactly but I thing around 2017/18 Ram stiffened up the rear a bit.OP, either springs or bags would help. Given the choice I'd go with bags due the ability to adjust the air for when not towing.
18CrewDually
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Bags. For what you want, you pump it up a little when needed and let it out for your stock ride and height if that's what you're happy with now.
62Blazer
Senior Member
Good point. For the OP I should have said at least do some local towing and see how it feels first. Then determine if you even need to do anything. a 6,500 lb trailer and 750 tongue weight isn't very much at all. A proper WDH setup would take care of it.
Also for the OP and a couple of other people, having a little big of sag is quite normal. You shouldn't expect to put any moderate size load or trailer on a truck and have zero sag. The only way to accomplish that would be to have some super stiff springs that would ride like a bucking horse when empty.
09SilverRam
Senior Member
Keeping them separate seems to make a difference for slide in truck campers, but I haven’t seen much issue with running them on one line with a trailer.
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