[Boomer_Mikey]

Is anyone using the Roadmaster Active Suspension and towing a heavy trailer?

I used the RAS with a 1/2 ton Silverado for towing my 20' boat with good results but I'm towing a Rockwood 31' Ultralite TT with a GVWR of 7500 pounds and wonder if anyone else can share their experiences with the RAS and a heavy load.

A friend of ours is using the Firestone airbags and swears by them but I prefer to avoid playing with air pressures (loaded/unloaded).

Our tongue weight is 600 pounds, dry weight is 4800 pounds and during our initial 80 mile trip home from the dealer the new travel trailer handled well. Our 2004 Titan CrewCab has done a great job hauling our 28 foot TT in the past but I would prefer to have the headlights lower on the road with a load in the bed.

Thanks,

Boomer :computern

 

[CarlosG]

this thread is like 5 down from yours about this.

 

[Boomer_Mikey]

this thread is like 5 down from yours about this.

Ok Carlos,

The thread contains information that a test drive the same day installed was awesome without information about trailering, another is using the system with a fifth wheel, and they cost $279.

I know about the standard duty RAS and towing a 2500 - 3500 pound trailer; it worked well for me.

I would like to know if anyone is using the system with a 7000-9000 pound 25 - 35 foot trailer. If the system used was the heavy duty or standard duty Roadmaster Active Suspension package and experiences using the system. There is a world of differences between towing 3500 and 9000 pounds of trailer weight.

Large ultra-lite trailers and fifth-wheels are a huge, growing, 1/2 ton truck market the Titan is well suited to. I think many owners would like to know their options for better control and safety based upon user experiences instead of marketing information and a single test drive.

What is better, RAS or Firestone Airbags? The basic cost of each system are very close. I would rather discuss the pluses and minuses to make an informed decision than purchase all of them.

Thanks,

Boomer :computern

 

[bighitter]

Well I am at my normal mechanics shop today getting the airbags ripped out and the RAS installed. I will be able to give the real details you are looking for probably next week as I plan to take out my Weekend Warrior 2300FS superlite with a dry weight of 7400lbs. It towed very nicely with the airbags but the rest of the time the ride was really ruff with my lowered suspension. I will post further feedback once I have had some ride time.

 

[bighitter]

Initial thoughts....

Wow, amazing difference, cornering launching and stopping all greatly improved, combined with the lowering/new bilsteins this has turned the truck into almost a luxury SUV ride that can actually handle as well. I can actually handle the 95 construction without a problem. Will try to hook up the trailer this weekend tow just to see how it does.

 

[Boomer_Mikey]

Initial thoughts....

Wow, amazing difference, cornering launching and stopping all greatly improved, combined with the lowering/new bilsteins this has turned the truck into almost a luxury SUV ride that can actually handle as well. I can actually handle the 95 construction without a problem. Will try to hook up the trailer this weekend tow just to see how it does.

Thanks bighitter,

Our Titan is the off road, 2wd with Rancho shocks, sway bar, and and the big tow package. The handling and ride has always been excellent and the big reason why I prefer to avoid airbags.

Did you get the HD package?

Boomer :computern

This is what our Titan looks like with a 6000 pound trailer on the hitch and 1000 pounds in the bed.

 

[CarlosG]

What lowering kit did you use?

 

[bighitter]

What lowering kit did you use?

The McGaughy 2/3 with new Bilstein 623 and 625 shocks/struts.

I did get the HD version of the RAS and had 90% of my tools loaded today and drove across the state to Naples and back and it was the best my truck has ever felt on the ride over, almost a mixture between a caddy ride and a sports car ride. Small bumps and such are not even felt as they are absorbed but you never feel like you are apart from the road, you can feel the bumps but they don't really affect the ride. Cornering and initial launches are much improved but I haven't been hot-rodding it or anything just normal take offs from the light and such. The on/off ramps are alot more fun now too.

Also the bed didn't sag at all from my tools, I will try to take a picture of it loaded/unloaded and then again when I have my 23ft Toy Hauler hooked up with the 2 quads.