Air suspension vs RHO suspension

[Sweptfever214]

Just curious how do they compare? I have the air suspension on my current truck and I couldn’t really drive the RHO as spiritedly. How comparable are they in ride and feel? The air is easily the best I’ve been in

 

[Eighty]

Kind of an apples-and-oranges comparison.

The air suspension is designed to compensate for load vs. ride height. You can raise or lower the truck (or adjust for a heavy bed load). You get what you get on cushiness, depending on how much pressure is required in the airbags to maintain the ride height.

The RHO has adjustable shocks. They don’t raise or lower the truck, so you’ll still squat under a heavy load. But you can change the settings for a stiffer rebound or a softer rebound depending on your preferences or the terrain.

 

[cdy2179]

I came from a Ram limited. I had it for 5 years. The air suspension is far smoother ride wise. It floats over bumps like a cloud. The RHO which I have had 7 months and 9k miles is great but it's much bouncier but it's not meant to ride like a cloud, it's a baja truck. And yes i've tried every suspension mode. Rams air suspension is the smoothest ride i've ever had and it's not really close. The RHO does ride fantastic, the air ride is just so damn smooth.

 

[Eighty]

I’ve heard a lot of Rebel owners complain about the rough ride when cruising around in Ride Height 2 (which I believe is only on the Rebel?). And for the short bit that I drove one, I noticed a difference in stiffness with the higher setting.

 

[Sweptfever214]

I’ve heard a lot of Rebel owners complain about the rough ride when cruising around in Ride Height 2 (which I believe is only on the Rebel?). And for the short bit that I drove one, I noticed a difference in stiffness with the higher setting.

For the limited if you go above 20 in ride height 2 it drops the car down to ride height one. I’m guessing so it doesn’t strain the airbags when on rough terrain? Idk why it would be different in the rebel since I think they r the same part number

 

[Sweptfever214]

Kind of an apples-and-oranges comparison.

The air suspension is designed to compensate for load vs. ride height. You can raise or lower the truck (or adjust for a heavy bed load). You get what you get on cushiness, depending on how much pressure is required in the airbags to maintain the ride height.

The RHO has adjustable shocks. They don’t raise or lower the truck, so you’ll still squat under a heavy load. But you can change the settings for a stiffer rebound or a softer rebound depending on your preferences or the terrain.

rebound controls how much body roll you get or is that the jarringous of the shocks as they encounter terrain? Sorry I’m not super well versed in suspension. Every car we own is either air suspension or springs. First time with live valves.

I feel that the air suspension on my limited is super planted when driving in corners and that’s where my main concern was gonna be with the RHO.

 

[Eighty]

rebound controls how much body roll you get or is that the jarringous of the shocks as they encounter terrain? Sorry I’m not super well versed in suspension. Every car we own is either air suspension or springs. First time with live valves.

I feel that the air suspension on my limited is super planted when driving in corners and that’s where my main concern was gonna be with the RHO.

I was talking about dampening of a shock load. The RHO shocks have a couple of settings that change how softly (or stiffly) they absorb a bump.
You’ll definitely get more body roll on a RHO on standards settings. Unless you install a sway bar (like a Hellwig). But then you lose the benefits of the large independent travel of the RHO suspension.
So there are trade offs with all the setups. Air bags in a normal setting will be more comfortable in everyday street handling, but aren’t the best for off roading or rough terrain.

 

[RamFan]

We came from a Longhorn with the 22" and there is nothing better than the air suspension, for ride, for towing, for getting into parking garages you normally couldn't(valet mode) etc, its superior.

With all that being said, the RHO offers a pretty damn nice ride and they did a heck of a job with tire selection and noise insulation. You can barely hear the thrum of the tires, otherwise its just as serene and quiet. C&D recorded 66 decibels at speed. That is quieter than my E Class.

Chris

 

[MRANT212]

Had a Longhorn. Best riding truck hands down!! Love my RHO but let’s face it…totally different type of truck.

 

[ZL1Ragtop]

Had a '20 Limited with 22x 10" Fuel wheels. Air suspension was great, but the 18'"wheels (greater tire sidewall) do a great job absorbing much of what the larger wheel could not do. Other than a bit more tire noise, I find the ride and drive very similar to my Limited.