What will you be doing with the 2500?
If you will be towing heavy, then the air suspension is the best option you can get for that.
I have it on mine and it works great, I tow heavy a lot.

 

anything from single car hauling to heavy equipment as I build my own house. I did go over but was hauling about 12,000lbs with my 1500 for a trailer and skid steer.

 

2500 coil springs are much better. I owned both trucks also. 2500 doesn't squat with my 6000 lb trailer load.
Many report problems with air suspension. I wouldn't get it with 2500. And it doesn't have an air dryer so freezes up in winter climates. It's a half ass design.

 

Many report problems with air suspension. I wouldn't get it with 2500. And it doesn't have an air dryer so freezes up in winter climates. It's a half ass design.

Totally disagree.
Very few report any issue with the air suspension.
And, I've never heard anyone report anything about it freezing up in winter, mine never has, not even below zero.

 

If you get the 2500 with the coil springs, if they prove inadequate(not likely) then auxiliary air bags would be the better alternative to heavier coils, that way you maintain the good ride of the stock springs when you aren't hauling heavy.

 

as long as they are progressive springs they should be ok but ill look into air bags too.

 

I’ve read of cold climate problems as well. I haven’t towed with mine yet, but I tow a 7000lb travel trailer. If it squats too much, I’ll install Timbrens.

 

My 2020 2500 with the coils rides better with a load over them, but then without a load not as bad a ride as the leaf-sprung 3500 I had prior, when empty. I do think it might bounce a little more if you get on a freeway with the joints spaced just right for the wheelbase - but that's only at higher speeds and with little or no load. I have towed my 43 ft 'Fiver with pretty heavy fifth wheel weight, and although it did squat some, it wasn't as bad as it could've been (didn't go all the way down to the stops).

 

 

I have a 2017 2500 with coil springs, I imagine they are the same rear coils as the 2020. Do yourself a favor and save the $$ on factory air bags and get a set of airlift 5000 bags with Daystar cradles. They are quite a bit cheaper than factory bags and you keep your factory ride when not inflating the bags. It's a win win. Also, if you planning on leveling the truck in the future it will help with squat when there is a load on the truck. The stock springs are fine, ride well and can handle a pretty significant load without squat.

 

Just bought a 2020 3500 dually with the air ride. I traded in my 2015 3500 dually with just leaf springs and no air ride. Hauling any load I would definitely go with the air because you can level everything without having to have the perfect height trailer hitch. When it comes to running without a load the ride difference is like night and day. The air ride is so much smoother going down the road because my 2015 with just leaf springs, on a rough road only, would knock the flippin' fillings out of your teeth. As for moisture problems, haven't looked at the 2020, most air ride systems have some type of air tank that absolutely has to be drained periodically. Just like a shop air system where you would drain your air compressor tank, same thing on a truck. Can't freeze if there's no water. That sounds like operator error to me.

 

There is no provision to drain the tank and none is needed.
I've run my 2500 with rear air suspension for nearly 6 years and over 572,500 miles with no failures.
I tow heavy nearly every week, best option I spec'd on my truck when I ordered it.

 

You can add some Timbrens and that will handle any squatting issues.

 

I have a 2017 2500 limited with the 6.7. When we bought our 5th wheel, it made the truck squat about 2 inches. I installed air bags myself. Now with towing, it sit's level. When I am not towing, I keep 5 pounds of air in them and I still have my smooth ride. If you go with heaver springs, will the truck ride ruff ? Anyway, If you like the truck and you are handy with tools, go for it.

 

on my 1500 no it didn't ride rough as they were progressive springs unlike the OEM which are not. so soft within the first inch or so of squat and they get to their 50% stronger state the more you push on them. but even at 50% stronger with a load it still rode fine.

 

so it looks like the 2020 isn't going to happen. we aren't coming to a deal so I started looking at some used ones. I did find a 2018, 6.4, 4.10, no air, loaded out the way I really like. should I be worried about that older transmission? and also, it doesn't have tow hooks. why can I only see 2 holes when the tow hooks use 4?

 

FWIW the air ride suspension on the 1500s is not the same as the supplemental air suspension used on the HD trucks

 

I have a 2019 Ram 2500 Heavy Duty full size truck with a 4:10 rear axle ratio and I have no problems pulling my fifth wheel trailer. It weighs over 9,000 lbs unloaded and with a load and water it wieghs around 10-11,000 lbs. So far I've had no problems. It does ride a little rough on county roads but on the interstate and good paved roads it runs great. Get a 2500 Heavy Duty. BTW my engine is the 6.4 Hemi and its a gasser. I could tow a semi-trailor tractor with this and have no problems. 😉 It has a long bed too. Crew Cab Big Horn. Love it!

 

that's what im looking but no 5th wheel hook up and my trailer is a tow behind. when you say heavy duty, aren't all 2500's HD? or am I missing a spec or something?