“The 2024 Ram 1500 is a smart and civilized truck that doesn't drive like anything else in its class. Much of that is attributed to its independent rear suspension, which makes it pleasing to drive and gives it an uncommonly smooth ride.” Edmunds.com/ram/1500
Do you need Ram 1500 helper springs?
According to the auto industry, the Ram 1500 rides like a Cadillac. But if you’re planning to use your Ram 1500 as a work truck, you’d be wise to invest in some sort of suspension upgrade, i.e., helper springs. Let’s discuss why that is. We’ll begin with the “independent suspension” on the rear end.
The rear suspension consists of a 5-link coil spring mounted between the frame and the straight axle. As great as it sounds, the suspension on the Ram 1500 has its limitations:
If you’re planning to use your Ram 1500 as a work truck, you’d be wise to invest in some sort of suspension upgrade, i.e., helper springs. That’s because over the years suspensions for pickups have evolved. The rear suspension on the Ram 1500 has bid farewell to the leaf spring in favor of a coil-over. This provides great ride quality and less hauling and towing ability.
Consequently, when the rear end squats, the weight of the vehicle shifts backward reducing the amount of traction on the front tires which will impact its steering and braking ability. Not only that, too much weight on the rear suspension can cause instability such as roll and sway. Needless to say, this instability is dangerous and will require the driver to slow down.
Which helper springs can improve your Ram 1500's towing capabilities?
Here are two helper springs that have been around for over 70 years: Air-Lift and Hellwig.
AIR-LIFT
Airbag suspension helpers have been around since the 1950s. Air-Lift products were designed to smooth out road shock and prevent suspension sag. Over the last 70 years, Air-Lift has tried to improve their product by adding electronic height-control valves that automatically adjust the truck’s ride height by adding compressed air to the airbags as needed.
An airbag suspension upgrade provides one the smoothest rides available. But in order to get it, you’ve got to pay for it. Unfortunately, one of the main downsides of an Air-Lift suspension upgrade is the cost: about $2500 after installation of the basic system plus on board air components. And at the end of the day, this conventional system is high-maintenance because it depends on the use of compressed air.
HELLWIG
Hellwig add-a-leaf suspension helpers have been around since 1946. This family-run business has made and sold sway bars and metal leaf spring helpers right from the get-go. Hellwig products are more affordable than airbags, and much easier to install. But at the end of the day, these products are made of metal. One of the main downsides of Hellwig leaf spring helpers is the spring rate: Metal springs have a linear spring rate. Okay, so what’s a linear spring rate, and why is that a problem?
By their nature, leaf springs suspensions have a linear spring rate. In other words, the spring rate (for example, 1 inch of deflection for every 400 lbs) remains the same as the springs continue to deflect right down till the suspension bottoms out. That’s why conventional leaf spring suspensions require helper springs for carrying heavier loads.
Hellwig add-a-leaf products are limited to how much weight capacity they can handle. A set of Hellwig leaf springs will provide about 1500 lbs of additional spring capacity. This conventional system retails for about $500.
Why do Timbren SES helper springs offer the biggest bang for your buck?
Here’s a helper spring that’s been around since 1968: Timbren SES.
Timbren SES products are a radical departure from older, more conventional methods of adding additional weight capacity. As you may have guessed, Timbren SES suspension upgrades don’t depend on compressed air. Neither are they made of metal.
Here’s the thing:
Because they’re made of natural rubber, Timbren SES upgrades offer you several features and benefits that the others can’t provide. Tow innate characteristics of Timbren hollow rubber springs that the competition can’t provide are:
- Progressive spring rate
- Hysteresis - self-damping
Unlike a linear spring rate, a progressive spring rate continually increases as the load increases. For this reason, Timbren SES upgrades guarantee that your truck remains level and stable at all times - even under the heaviest loads. SES upgrade part # DR1500DQ provides up to an additional 8600 lbs of spring capacity. *
*Note: Even though the spring capacity is increased, the GVWR remains the same as set by the manufacturer.
Unlike airbags and leaf springs, Timbren’s Aeon® hollow rubber springs are able to absorb the rebound energy just like a shock absorber! That’s why they can deliver smooth ride quality even under the heaviest loads.
At the end of the day, Timbren SES suspension upgrades give you the biggest bang for your buck when it comes to keeping the truck stable. Here are the benefits you receive when you install an SES upgrade:
- Affordable - most Timbren kits are less than $300.00
For more information on how to get your hands on a set of Timbren SES upgrades like DR1500DQ, visit Timbren.com or contact Customer Service: Sales@timbren.com
