I wasn’t disparaging your springs. Just saying that they’re not designed for loaded beds or towing tongue weight. The OP, as you said, is looking for air bags to supplement your springs. I offered what I believe is a simpler solution for the rear, which I’m using successfully.
Just to be clear though, they are designed for loaded beds so I'm not sure what you mean, up to 600 lbs of additional weight before it dips below level. Spring rates are published below. We also do not typically recommend adding airbags as the springs are usually enough on their own for additional weight and towing purposes.
I understand. But 600lbs including tongue weight isn’t enough for average towing, in many cases. Again, not saying you have bad springs. The rears just don’t sound like enough for the OP, so I suggested a solution. To use my rig as an example, my trailer tongue weight for our 3,100lb trailer is usually around 300lbs. That would only leave 300lbs of weight that could be put above the rear axle in the bed before sagging the springs. I don’t think a lot of people tow with 1000lbs of weight in the bed (including me), but I certainly exceed 500 while towing, equalling approximately 800lbs on the rear springs. I agree with you that air bags aren’t always the best setup. So I suggested an alternative.
3” lift with bags
I should clarify the additional 600 lbs is referring to weight being applied directly over the bed like a rooftop tent or bed rack. While we don't really get into towing numbers, the vehicle is capable of pulling the exact same amount of weight plus some as it is from the factory, as you are removing the old coils with new coils of a higher spring rate.
I would also say though that building springs to carry any additional load is not likely in any manufactures best interest considering 800lbs in the bed/tongue plus cab occupancy would put the majority of gladiators over their GVWR.
I don’t disagree. Mine had a 1/2” sag with the weight of the spare and my recovery bag, with no passengers. I don’t overload mine. At max, I tow 3000, with maybe 400-500 in the bed max, and passengers, two of which are little kids. And that’s only when camping, so not every day. Many lift springs I’ve found are less strong than stock, as I think they sometimes concentrate on articulation. Mine aren’t rated for more weight, as they’re for 1/2 ton trucks, which this is. They’re just a hair stiffer and compress less under load. But not stiff in a way that creates a bad ride. You’re welcome to drive it in a few weeks. It’s got good manners.
No offense intended towards anyone. I think the ram spring mod is relatively new and unknown, and that makes people leery about it. I also like tried and true, and prefer to not be a Guinea pig. I didn’t do it on a whim, but upon the recommendation of a reputable shop owned by a former pro rock crawler.
Makes sense from that perspective and your specific use case. I think for the majority of owners though the 600 is likely more than enough. I do want to check out the ride and hear your thoughts first hand on the Ram 1500 springs ?
I’ll have the trailer in May, so you’ll be able to see how it rides hooked up, and then on its own. It’s a little trailer, but the wheels are very close to the rear, so tongue weight is higher by percentage. I do load lighter soft goods into the tongue box strategically to counteract that a little.
Hey, I have not installed the lift yet as my Falcons are 4 months backordered. I was only preparing for a future possible bag install. I was basing my possible need off past lifts with softer springs. I will wait to do anything and test out the springs. Sorry if there was any confusion or if this caused y’all any flack. I am solely going off past lifts I have installed. This is my first Clayton lift and I have heard nothing but good things. Excited to get it on…. Eventually
Let us know if you run into any issues or need anything
Did you have to make or order any additional spacers to go with 60818 kit or were the bags and spacers provided with the kit enough?
I did not add any additional spacers. I tow a boat, the weight with trailer is about 5k and the bags reduced the sag by about 50%.
