eightballsidepocket wrote: Just got my curiosity; there's got to be some 09 1/2 ton Ram owners out there that are towing.
What are your opinions about the rear coil springs versus the previous leaf sprung rear ends on the earlier 1/2 ton Rams?
How the the quality of the ride when unloaded?
I'm curious as well. I've gotta think about the future (like 5 years from now) when I replace this old Ram. A 1/2 ton is all I need, but towing with those coil springs has me curious. I really like a stiff rear suspension when towing, that's why I installed Timbrens on this truck. I might have to go to a 3/4 ton, or go with an 08 or older Ram 1500. But man, that new sheetmetal is so much nicer!!
Their is a fellow on here with a black 09 Hemi Ram 1500 crew cab with a sleek new TT. I'm hoping he catches this thread.
That's a nice Ford commercial you got there. Not exactly what the OP was asking for though. He wants real world experience, not some paid for by Ford fellow trying to discount Dodge's approach with his scripted blather and opinionated nonsense. Most all unbiased sources are give the Dodge 1/2 ton suspension very high praise for its stability and ride comfort when empty, and when carrying some weight.
Quote: Coil Springs are for cars.....not the rear suspension of a truck. IMHO
Really?....The front end of many 3/4 - 1 ton trucks use coil springs...even with the heavy weight of diesel engines...
I haven't kept up with what Dodge is actually doing with their new 1/2 model, but I know in the pre-release info it would be only tow rated for about 6500 lbs, they even stated there would be no real tow package(HD cooling, tow mirrors, etc...)Dodge's thinking at that time was if you needed to tow more then get the next size up truck...
"I won't camp next to you, if you don't camp next to me!"
2004 Titan King Cab, 2wd, 5.6L V-8, 5 Speed Auto Trans
Tow Package with killer 3.73 tow gears and TruTrac.
Quote: Coil Springs are for cars.....not the rear suspension of a truck. IMHO
Really?....The front end of many 3/4 - 1 ton trucks use coil springs...even with the heavy weight of diesel engines...
I haven't kept up with what Dodge is actually doing with their new 1/2 model, but I know in the pre-release info it would be only tow rated for about 6500 lbs, they even stated there would be no real tow package(HD cooling, tow mirrors, etc...)Dodge's thinking at that time was if you needed to tow more then get the next size up truck...
Dodge, by their own admission, was VERY conservative on the 09 Ram 1500 models in regards to towing capacity. The 2010 1500 models have increased the towing capacity to over 10,000 lbs when properly equipped, without any actual modifications or changes made between 09 and 2010.
Quote: Dodge, by their own admission, was VERY conservative on the 09 Ram 1500 models in regards to towing capacity. The 2010 1500 models have increased the towing capacity to over 10,000 lbs when properly equipped, without any actual modifications or changes made between 09 and 2010.
Ok, they did make changes before finally releasing the 10' model...
Thanks..
Just from test drives with no trailer I would say ride comfort is comparable to the Ford but the Dodge feels more stable. If you like a stiff rear suspension, air bags for the Dodge cost less than $100 since they are just stuffed into the middle of the coil springs. Edmunds claimed it towed more confidently than the other 1/2 tons. That is probably due to the additional lateral stability you get from using a linkage to control side to side movement rather than relying on the stiffness of a leaf spring.
I prefer leaf springs, but with a thicker sway bar, stiffer polyurethane sway bar and 5-link bushings and stiffer coil springs, it would probly make an ok tow vehicle.
I'm still hoping for some 2009 1/2 ton Dodge Ram owners to chime in here.
I would genuinely like to read/hear about their experiences with the new Ram, and it's revised rear suspension when carring payloads, towing, and also driving empty?
So far the posts have basically been about, liking or disliking rear coil suspension. These are not the posts that answer my original post.
There's got to be some forum member here that have purchased a new 1/2 ton Ram?
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