bill-e
Member
- May 2, 2015
- 82
- 40
- Truck Year
- 2015
I wanted to install bags but I did not want to compromise my cushy ride since I tow only a dozen times a year and my truck is mostly a commuter. I selected the Total Load Control bags because all the Youtube videos as well as the advertizing on their page claimed that they only connected one side and therefore could be deflated "out of the way" so as not to affect your factory suspension.
Just to clarify, the latest Ram 1500 TLC bags connect top and bottom which is different than the way they are advertised and seen in various Youtube videos.
Apparently the coil springs were causing the bags to slap the mounting plate when under inflated (to maintain original ride) and required too much air pressure with no load to prevent it from happening so they added a bolt to the bottom plate.
Install took about an hour and a half...no jacks or anything, just laid under the truck and did it. The hardest and most time consuming part was getting the nut and washer on the driver's side bottom plate to axle bolt because the bar was in the way. I finally taped the washer and nut to my index finger and while in a contorted position was able to start the bolt. Once I got then it went quick.
Utilizing jack stands to raise the body and let the suspension droop was not needed and while it may have helped a little, short of having the truck on a lift so that I could take advantage of that added space I did not see any advantage in doing that. There is plenty of room without raising the frame.
I have just about 5lbs in the bags now but will be towing the day after tomorrow and will post an update after that..
I already had a hole in the license plate from a backup camera on my previous vehicle so I used that. I considered using the license plate screw hole but that would have meant chiseling off the molded backside of that area which has a bunch of material for the screw to grab. Where I drilled was just the thickness of the plastic bumper trim.
By the way, the underside of my truck is all black because I had black wax/oil undercoating applied. Looks nice and should protect well but I got it all over me during the install
Just to clarify, the latest Ram 1500 TLC bags connect top and bottom which is different than the way they are advertised and seen in various Youtube videos.
Apparently the coil springs were causing the bags to slap the mounting plate when under inflated (to maintain original ride) and required too much air pressure with no load to prevent it from happening so they added a bolt to the bottom plate.
Install took about an hour and a half...no jacks or anything, just laid under the truck and did it. The hardest and most time consuming part was getting the nut and washer on the driver's side bottom plate to axle bolt because the bar was in the way. I finally taped the washer and nut to my index finger and while in a contorted position was able to start the bolt. Once I got then it went quick.
Utilizing jack stands to raise the body and let the suspension droop was not needed and while it may have helped a little, short of having the truck on a lift so that I could take advantage of that added space I did not see any advantage in doing that. There is plenty of room without raising the frame.
I have just about 5lbs in the bags now but will be towing the day after tomorrow and will post an update after that..
I already had a hole in the license plate from a backup camera on my previous vehicle so I used that. I considered using the license plate screw hole but that would have meant chiseling off the molded backside of that area which has a bunch of material for the screw to grab. Where I drilled was just the thickness of the plastic bumper trim.
By the way, the underside of my truck is all black because I had black wax/oil undercoating applied. Looks nice and should protect well but I got it all over me during the install
