Airbags vs. RoadActive

[sanny651]

When I am hauling a heavy load, it's primarily my ice house (5,500lbs). My 23 Sierra 1500 AT4 squats some, but not a ton. Maybe 2" or so I'd say? I had Firestone bags in my 2018 Silverado 1500 and it was a game changer. I also never heard of RoadActive suspension until I joined this thread.

I understand that bags are obviously adjustable (which is nice, but I generally don't need to change that much). They also offered a nice ride when I wasn't under load. How does the RoadActive setup work under no load? How about for a load like what I have of 5,500lbs or so. Not a super heavy trailer by any means, but enough to load the back a bit.

Just doing research now so that if/when I determine that I'd benefit from them, I know which direction to take and just pull the trigger on them and go.

Thanks!

 

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[gemarsh]

The RAS will reduce squat loaded. Unloaded they help with sway and bounce, will also improve washboard gravel roads if'n you have them.

No experience with bags except for semi's.

RAS is a set and forget system. I don't even think about them anymore, unless I'm checking tires.

 

[myrez]

Which model RAS for the 1500 AT4?

 

[gemarsh]

Which model RAS for the 1500 AT4?

4611

 

[Teegunn]

Never had RAS so can't comment on them. Have had airlift 5000 airbags on my last 3 trucks, and since I pull job trailers nearly daily, they are very helpul.

I could get away with not having them on my 2020 AT4 as the stock suspension was not nearly as soft as my 23 AT4X. But they still helped a ton on my 2020 AT4. I didn't have the mini compressor system on that truck, so I set them and left them for the most part.

My 23 AT4X absolutely needed them. Really nice soft ride and suspension GM put into this truck, but for pulling a trailer or really even putting much of anything in the bed, the squat was large. So I put in the airbags and this time also the mini compressor. The airbags and compressor are well worth the money IMO.

But I am not a typical use type of driver given I am a contractor and have probably a couple hundred lbs of tools/misc in the bed consistently, plus then pulling job trailers, airbags or some type of assist are a must. I do really like that I can just hit the fob for the airlift compressor and adjust on the fly. Normal driving with no trailer I am at 20 PSI, trailer attached, at least 35 psi, sometimes more depending on the trailer/weight. My dump trailer with a heavy load I go up to 50 psi for instance.

 

[sanny651]

Never had RAS so can't comment on them. Have had airlift 5000 airbags on my last 3 trucks, and since I pull job trailers nearly daily, they are very helpul.

how much did that setup with the onboard compressor run? Is there a wireless remote or did you have to wire in a switch into the cab?

 

[Teegunn]

how much did that setup with the onboard compressor run? Is there a wireless remote or did you have to wire in a switch into the cab?

I can't remember the exact price offhand. I think the airbags installed were around $500, I had bought the mini compressor system for my 2020 AT4 but never got around to installing it. I think I paid about $250 for that, and I believe the shop charged either $100 or $150 to install that. So around $900 to $1000 all in for the airbags and compressor system including installation.

The compressor system has it's own fob. There is also a phone app I have installed, but never use that, I use the fob. The fob works great, just hit up or down to the desired PSI and that's all it takes. So no wiring into the cab, just wired to the battery terminal somewhere I believe for power. I don't think the compressor kit is all that hard to install, but I don't have a vehicle lift and I haven't installed one, so for not a lot of money I let the shop do it.

I was going to install the compressor system myself, but the tire shop (they do lifts and other misc work) gives me a good deal, I have used them many, many times over the years for all tire/wheel work, plus lifts or level kits, oil changes, alignment, etc. For $1000 I feel the complete airlift 5000 kit plus the compressor system is well worth the money, and I expect I will have the same setup installed on my next truck, whenever I decide to trade this one (probably be a couple years yet, I usually trade every 4 years or so).

 

[pinebaron]

I remember my local GMC dealer suggested airbags when I complained about multimatics rough ride however I felt they would be useless for me since I never carry a load and very rarely pull a trailer with 4-5000 load. Was I correct in my assumption?

 

[pigpen23]

I found the RAS didn't keep the leveled look I wanted when unloaded and rode slightly stiffer when unloaded. With the ease of adjustability with the airbags, that's the way I've gone on 4 trucks since trying the RAS.

 

[myrez]

Just spoke with Shawn with RAS and he confirmed that their product isn't compatible with the mono leaf springs of the 1500.

*update* Found Shawn to be inaccurate as the 1500 does not have the mono leaf spring.

 

[Johnv76]

I've run air bag on my last two trucks. I have no experience with the other setup. However with the air springs, they run very good, i run mine with cradles to allow my rear suspension to full articulate. With 5lbs of air pressure i feel no difference in ride quality, then if i have a heavy tailor or bigger load in the bed of the truck i simply add air to level out the truck. Also with the air springs and towing, it reduces sway, and ride quality and allows your to tailor it to each scenario. Where as with the other setup yes its set it and forget it, but you have no way to adjust it from what i can see, you still may get sagging with towing a heaver load, also how does this effect the articulation on the rear suspension while off roading. Does it limit the suspension at all? I am just a fan of being able to adjust it. Both systems from what i have seen work well.

 

[True Bee]

I've run air bag on my last two trucks. I have no experience with the other setup. However with the air springs, they run very good, i run mine with cradles to allow my rear suspension to full articulate. With 5lbs of air pressure i feel no difference in ride quality, then if i have a heavy tailor or bigger load in the bed of the truck i simply add air to level out the truck. Also with the air springs and towing, it reduces sway, and ride quality and allows your to tailor it to each scenario. Where as with the other setup yes its set it and forget it, but you have no way to adjust it from what i can see, you still may get sagging with towing a heaver load, also how does this effect the articulation on the rear suspension while off roading. Does it limit the suspension at all? I am just a fan of being able to adjust it. Both systems from what i have know work well.

For me the static adjustability is critical including side to side for Overlanding purposes. So with a rooftop sleeping platform I never have to worry about rolling to the edge or having my head downhill while I'm sleeping.
And the open bucket at the bottom is ideal.

 

[sanny651]

Well, I ended up buying the RAS system to try out. I debated for a while between RAS and Airbags, and here's why I went the route I did (right or wrong). The benefit I have is that my hauling is really mostly just my Ice Castle, so it's not like I'm hauling a 3000# trailer one day then an 8000lb trailer the next like someone in construction would. I'm kind of a one trick pony in that regard.

As mentioned, I've ran airbags in my last truck and I liked them. They really helped stabilize the ride well when I was towing my trailer. However, the thing I didn't much like was having to add air periodically and I did have to replace the fittings after 5 years of use as they were starting to leak. For most folks, this isn't a big deal. However, as a leg amputee, these kinds of things that used to be easier now are quite a bit more challenging. Still doable, but not nearly as easily. So the allure of the "set it and forget it" that RAS offers appealed to me in that regard.

I also read about axle twist and sway. I've towed many things, but nothing majorly heavy so I can't really say if I've experienced axle twist or not. We'll see how things feels when I try towing my Ice Castle later this weekend. RAS fixes that whereas bags can't.

Ultimately, if I don't like the setup, I can return it. And I am convinced that either one is a bad option, so I can't really lose here. Both are solid options, and both have pros and cons. If I end up going back to bags, I'll definitely get that remote compressor @Teegunn mentioned. Again, with me missing a wheel, getting down there to add air is neither easy or fun, especially in the mud/ice. So thanks for the tip there champ.

I will say that the rake was fine before the RAS installation, but I was close to getting a leveling kit. Now after the RAS installation, it's raised the back a little so now I'm officially going to get the leveling kit, but likely this spring after I drive it this winter.

Appreciate the input all.

 

[myrez]

Well, I ended up buying the RAS system to try out. I debated for a while between RAS and Airbags, and here's why I went the route I did (right or wrong). The benefit I have is that my hauling is really mostly just my Ice Castle, so it's not like I'm hauling a 3000# trailer one day then an 8000lb trailer the next like someone in construction would. I'm kind of a one trick pony in that regard.

As mentioned, I've ran airbags in my last truck and I liked them. They really helped stabilize the ride well when I was towing my trailer. However, the thing I didn't much like was having to add air periodically and I did have to replace the fittings after 5 years of use as they were starting to leak. For most folks, this isn't a big deal. However, as a leg amputee, these kinds of things that used to be easier now are quite a bit more challenging. Still doable, but not nearly as easily. So the allure of the "set it and forget it" that RAS offers appealed to me in that regard.

I also read about axle twist and sway. I've towed many things, but nothing majorly heavy so I can't really say if I've experienced axle twist or not. We'll see how things feels when I try towing my Ice Castle later this weekend. RAS fixes that whereas bags can't.

Ultimately, if I don't like the setup, I can return it. And I am convinced that either one is a bad option, so I can't really lose here. Both are solid options, and both have pros and cons. If I end up going back to bags, I'll definitely get that remote compressor @Teegunn mentioned. Again, with me missing a wheel, getting down there to add air is neither easy or fun, especially in the mud/ice. So thanks for the tip there champ.

I will say that the rake was fine before the RAS installation, but I was close to getting a leveling kit. Now after the RAS installation, it's raised the back a little so now I'm officially going to get the leveling kit, but likely this spring after I drive it this winter.

Appreciate the input all.

So you installed these already? Being a 23 don't you have the mono leaf?

 

[sanny651]

Nope, I have a "normal" leaf spring. I don't know if it matters or not, but it's a half ton AT4, not AT4X