Suspension Upgrade For Trucks 2021 | How Well Does Roadmaster Active Suspension Work?
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- Опубліковано 25 лип 2024
- In this video, I’m going to show you a great suspension upgrade for trucks for 2021. I'm going to put the RAS to the test and show just how well the Roadmaster Active Suspension works. Using a 3 axis Bluetooth sensor, I'm able to show the impact the Roadmaster Active Suspension upgrade has on my F-150 without a load and when towing my travel trailer. While towing my RV, I have my Blue Ox SwayPro hooked up so you can see how the RAS works with a Blue Ox SwayPro hitch.
You might be wondering how the Roadmaster Suspension System (RAS) works. The Roadmaster Active Suspension works by applying an additional set of springs to your tow vehicle’s rear leaf springs. These springs apply corrective counter assistance to the existing leaf springs to reduce sag or prevent “bottoming out.” This provides a smoother ride, more control, and reduced sway.
You can find additional information on the Roadmaster Active Suspension on gotogethergofar.com/how-does-...
If you found this video helpful, check out our website and blog post where we cover even more questions about the Blue Ox SwayPro:
gotogethergofar.com/blue-ox-s...
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Specific Links For This Video:
1. ROADMASTER ACTIVE SUSPENSION - amzn.to/3kl26sf
2. Bluetooth Accelerometer &Inclinometer - amzn.to/3mPO3fd
3. Blue Ox BXW1500 SWAYPRO - amzn.to/3etr6LQ
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Other Recommended Gear:
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Please support Go Together, Go Far, by subscribing. Subscribing will help improve our content and continue the journey our family is on. Be sure to check gotogethergofar.com/how-does-roadmaster-active-suspension-work/ for more info on how the Roadmaster Active Suspension works. We also have a ton of other content on there that you may like as well. Thanks for taking the time to watch our videos!
Best product ever! Easy install! Thanks for video.
Awesome! Thanks for putting out data without a bunch of fluff. Nice and concise 🎉
Well done study on the RAS. I installed Sumo springs on my F 150. While they improved stability, the ride quality really suffered. I'm considering changing them out for the RAS.
Excellent video. Very informative and well done. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
Interesting, thanks for the experiment. I might consider buying the ras. Great video.
Thanks for the great info. I liked the video and ordered mine HD set up yesterday.
Awesome. Let's us know how it works out for you.
Amazing detail. The BEST!!!!
Thanks!
Very informative. Good job
Just order the RAS. Good to see some empirical data on how well it works!
Thanks! It isn't exactly scientific, but it is just better than taking my word for it. I hope the RAS works great for you!
Just Installed the Roadmaster system on my 2020 F-150. Very easy install. Big improvement in towing my 7,500lb, 25' travel trailer with SwayPro1000! Everything feels much more stable. Sway control is very improved. At least as much as can be using the SwayPro. I've ordered the Weight Safe system. Unloaded ride quality is slightly stiffer than stock, but not much. I think it feels better. I set it to 40% improvement. It did lift the rear about an inch. I have a leveling kit installed so the rake is not bad. Headlights are now somewhat level when towing. Don't wait, install these!
That's great to hear! Thanks for sharing.
I've seen where some people add a better adjustable shock with that makes a big improvement. 👍🇺🇲🦅🇺🇲
Thank you my brother I was looking something similar to my Offroad little truck project and ALSO you look like between mixed Tom Brady and AJSTYLES
I get that all the time... lol.
I had an instant improvement with this system on my 21 AT4 1500. Much less squat in in the back and way better drive overall
THANKS FOR INFO
I have it on my AT$ HD and it was a noticeable difference in both empty and loaded rides. this also improved the cornering aspect. The truck was new. I had about 5k when I installed the Roadmaster AS but I had already towed several times without it and I can say I love it and will be using this in my future trucks over airbags.
Good stuff!
So it looks like the roadmaster does help 👍
Thanks for the review
You're very welcome!
I added this to my 2017 Tundra. I tow a 38', 8000lb travel trailer. It made a huge difference. Drove 2000 miles over the past 3 months. The daily driving went from from exhausting to enjoyable. No more bouncing and weaving. A few times I even forgot the trailer was behind me. I can't believe the difference it made by removing the fatigue of having to focus so hard my hands would sometimes get numb from gripping the wheel so tight. Before I would have to stop and take a nap every 2-3 hours. Now, I can drive for 6-8 hours and feel relaxed when I arrive. I can't recommend this enough if your trailer is wearing you out.
That's fantastic!
Thinking of adding to my 18’ tundra will be towing 30ft trailer 6k ibs. hopefully this help my case.
@dustin, did you use the white or the black shim when you installed your RMAS?
@@delacruzjeff I went in between. Wider than the thinnest but not enough for the thickest. My trailer tongue weighs 1050 lbs. I didn't want the ride to be too firm without the trailer. After adjusting RMAS, without the trailer, the back of truck was raised about 1.5 inches and is noticeably higher than before. However, after I connect the trailer the truck only compresses about 1" where it would come down about 2.5" before RMAS. This is measured at the center of the rear wheels to the top of the fender. Without the trailer I lower the tire pressure to 45 psi, but when towing, I raise it to 60 psi. This makes for a comfortable ride. Don't feel you have to pick the white or the black spacer. You could crawl under and adjust the RMAS when towing but I didn't want to have to do that.
@@toolman.dustin thanks for this tip. 👍
Thank you !!!
Maybe too late. But I would love to see the sensors before/after the RAS, at highway speeds on a bad stretch of highway
really nice thanks you
Awesome and thankyou
You're welcome. Hope it helps.
I was on the fence for an active suspension kit versus airbags to raise and lower my ride house when towing my trailer. That being said you can adjust the active suspension with wrenches which is a pain in the ass to retain that level ride depending on your tongue weight but on the other side of the coin air bag is more convenient but I question if it’s as effective? In a perfect world I would like to install both on my truck 2016 Ford F150 eco-boost. Any thoughts?
Impressive video.
Impressive is a stretch, but I appreciate the compliment. Thank you very much!
by far the best review of this system I have been able to find on the web. good job.
@@JaimeSummers69 Thank you so much!
So glad I came across this video! I've had my RAS for 4 years now towing a boat, but got my first RV (similar size to yours) with the OX hitch. Did you have to tighten the RAS more to tow the RV, or played around with that since this video?
I didn't have to make any adjustments to the RAS.
RAS has been around for a long time, so it must work.
Just order my RMAS today and wondering if I should set it up with the white spacer or the black spacer? I will be towing it with my 7000lbs 26’ trailer on the 2020 F150 with Equalizer E4 wdh setup.
I say go with the blank disc. It is pretty easy to crank it back to the white if you don't like how it feels.
1- Easy install. Instructions were very clear.
2- UA-cam install video by Go Together Go Far was very helpful.
3- Ride improvement was instantly noticeable.
4- Tech support was very helpful. Recommendation: On the instruction for the Bumpstop, bolt selection criteria, such as number of minimum visible threads, would have made the call not necessary. But, it was good to have my selection validated by a human voice from your shop.
5- UA-cam performance video by Go Together Go Far is validated.
By the way, I do not know or hav ever been associated with Go Together Go Far. My stumbling across his videos were pure luck.
Thank you very much!
I’d just like to see the difference between ride hight.
On my Chevy 3.0 diesel, RAS Hd on 25% setting it’s about 1.5” increase. I did a 1.2” lift in front to maintain some, but not too much rake. It’s kept me about .75” rake rear to front
Good review. did the RAS cure the squat?
@@frankfurther3828 I think it did.
curious if you're still happy with the RAS/Blue Ox combo? (thinking of going this route in the future)
I am. I know there are other options out there, but this works really well for me.
What electric jack is that?
Thanks for the video. I'm looking into these and found this more helpful than most others. With that being said, I'm an engineer that actually works on equipment that gets tested on a shock and vibration table (controlled environment) all the time. The data doesn't seem right to me. Let me tell you what I see and please tell me if I have made a bad assumption. Accelerometers measure the change of speed, not the speed itself. This means when your truck was not moving, all the lines should be at zero or at least all the same. I noticed the red line went up and done when you braked so I'm assuming that is the front-to-back axis. The blue I'm assuming is the up and down axis because you could see change when you went over the speed bumps. That leaves green to be your side to side. This leaves me scratching my head because the green shouldn't move unless you turn a corner and shouldn't swap places with the blue just because you added the Active Suspension.
Hi JD. Thank you for the feedback!
I'm not sure if it helps, here is the exact device I used: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MRPKDV9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I agree with you that I don't think this device specifically measured acceleration/deceleration in terms of speed. I also agree that this was less than officially scientific.
That said, I think this device was still a decent measure of the general intensity of the impact of the RAS. It was a relatively independent visualization of what I felt when driving the truck with the RAS installed. XYZ fluctuations were reasonably recorded.
I work in a technical field and know enough to not be absolute in my process. Is there a better way to measure and show the impact that may work better?
@@GoTogetherGoFar The comment section might not be the place for all my thoughts as I might lead someone astray (I'm still trying to figure this out myself) but as long as I start that... people have been forwarded, right? :-)
From what I can tell, the RAS basically make the suspension stiffer. As you hit a bump, the leaf spring flattens out and pulls the "toe" of the RAS down relative to the "heal". Depending on the "K" value of the spring, the force increases the more the suspension flexes which I think is where they get the "active" in the name. So, although I can see it helping reduce porpoise-ing and squat, I don't understand how it can help with the smoothness of the ride, especially when the truck is unloaded. I could be wrong - I'm just trying to understand if they would work better for me than airbags. They might have less maintenance but I think adjustment is key to a good towing experience and airbags are better at that... I think. :-)
Wish u did a 55 to 60 mph on a crappy highway with a 10 mph cross wind or head wind. That's what I'd like to see
I didn't get a chance to do that on video, but I did do it on a trip or two. In general, having the RAS was better than not. Things felt just more "locked in" with the RAS.
The RAS manufacturer claims that they also help reduce body roll when cornering or when a gust hits the trailer. Wish you had tested a short slalom section before and after RAS installed. All your force measurements were in the vertical axis which isn’t the only worry with towing a TT.
I hear you, and don't disagree. I thought about trying to do that, but I could never think of a way to do it safely.
I just installed mine and tested it on a corner that that has bumpy train tracks going over it, normally you'd have to slow down so that your trucks rear doesn't bounce around the corner, but that's no fun, now I can maintain my speed and go over without the bounce.
Nice video, I installed the HD kit on my 2020 F-150. You might have mentioned it… did you tighten the RAS down to 1mm or 2mm spacing? I have a similar trailer and was curious which spring tension you used. Thanks!
@@cpapa777 I went to the 2mm.
@@GoTogetherGoFar thank you for the quick reply!
Did you notice the RAS raised your rear height? Some users say they noticed 1.5 inch increase in height. Do you think you needed the HD over the standard? I don't tow that often.
I think I was maybe an inch or so higher when unloaded. Besides towing my trailer i am generally not loaded. I probably could have gone with the non-HD.
How about fully loaded? Generator (Honda eu3000i) , 15gallon extra water, extra gas 6 gallons, and some campfire wood?
I can't day that I've tested with a load like that. But in general, I found that the RAS helped in almost every situation so my gut says you should go for it.
Did you put the heavy duty version on, or the regular version?
Heavy duty.
Black Friday sale right now
Hey just curious what rear axle ratio you have?
3.55
Obviously this prevents the truck from sagging too much in the rear, but I’m curious if that also helps prevent the front of the truck from raising as much?
I can't say I noticed that.
It will not. The only way to help that is with weight distribution.
@@tylerbrown4483 Or get rid of all the un-needed after-market add-ons, get a proper TV & trailer combo, and take the time to set it up properly.
@@MajTom-wd2ytweight distribution is part of any proper setup if you’re bumper pulling. So, in your ideal scenario, you’d get weight distribution and set it up properly.
These springs are nice though. I use them because I haul a lot of heavy stuff in the bed and they just help with roll control wear and tear on the leaf springs over time.
Did you need to adjust your WDH afterwards?
I did not.
Does anybody know if these are universal? I have a set for a 92 dodge that i am selling but will they fit on newer models?
They are not universal. Some will fit more than one year of one model though.
Does the unloaded ride quality degrade while this active suspension is installed? I'm afraid of a stiffer ride in a 2021 F150 with Max Tow while these are installed when not towing.
I've had them installed for months now and haven't noticed anything.
I got a stiffer ride on my Excursion but I don't mind it
You can adjust the spring for different tension for loaded and unloaded.
It will also raise the rear of the truck almost an inch
They provide a couple of measuring discs and you stretch the spring out for the fattest disc for heavy loads. and use the thinner spacer for lighter loads.
There is also 2 models.
I got the LD but wish I got the the HD.
Is it worth it if I'm running unloaded 85% of the time?
That's hard for me to answer for you. I was in kind of the same boat. I didn't feel a huge difference when I wasn't towing. If definitely made a difference when towing, so maybe it depends on how rough your towing experience currently is. That 15% may be the more important then the other 85%.
Any chance that you've tested wheel hop?
I haven't. Any idea how to test it relatively safely?
@@GoTogetherGoFar I live up north and the first snow we had, revealed major hop unloaded on slippery snow. I think this could be replicated on hard launches on gravel surfaces. Also rough roads and a go pro under the truck might be able to show traction changes over road seams and bumps.
@@GoTogetherGoFar going over railroad crossings I get wheel hop.
I'm just starting to do my research into the RAS. Your video was very insightful when it comes to towing, it I'm wondering what your thoughts are about how they might perform when offroading?
Taking into consideration I have a bed rack and rooftop tent weight a combined 200lbs most of the time even when not wheeling, and will be carrying another 100lbs in gear plus 150-400lbs in passengers when off the pavement.
Cheers
I bet you'd see a noticeable improvement in handling. I haven't been off road like that with mine, but with the way the RAS improves the suspension and handling, it only seems logical.
Roadmaster should make a product to help travel trailer leaf springs
I couldn't agree more! When I first learned of Roadmaster, I initially thought that was what it was for. I was looking to take some of the bouncing out of the trailer. Does anyone make a product like that?
@@GoTogetherGoFar SumoSprings makes their progressive urethane springs for trailers. They mount on each side of the axle(s) and act like stabilizing shock absorbers.
Did it help with load squat?
Yes it did.
Did you put the sensor on the exact same spot?
I did.
How does this do with high wind on your trailer
High winds can be scary. I think the Blue Ox helps a ton, but my trailer is 33 feet so I really need to be aware of wind gusts.
@@GoTogetherGoFar But does this help with the wind load. I feel like my F150 gets pushed around in the wind. I have a husky weight and sway control hitch. (with this hitch my truck squats very little, 1.5 inches ) My F150 has sway control built in as well. My trailer is 29ft and fully loaded weights about 7,500 lbs. I have plenty of spare trailer towing capability and plenty of payload 1,800 lbs capacity (I have about 1,000 lbs on the tongue), but the wind load is still a concern and I would like to mitigate it without going to a F250, which some people advocate. Do you think the Roadmaster Active Suspension will help or do you know something else that would work better?
It sounds like we have similar set ups. My numbers are slightly lower, but very similar to yours. I don't think the RAS is the right solution for wind gust for those of us in this situation. The RAS may help, but that isn't what it is specifically suppose to help with.
If it answers your question any better, I am looking to move to an F250 after this camping season. It isn't a tow/hitch capacity issue. I have just become increasingly uncomfortable with the amount of "tail wagging the dog" that occurs in windy or at high speeds.
RAS or airbags? What's your take?
I've never used airbags, so RAS.
Does it improve sag?
Honestly, I'm not sure I had a big sag issue. So I'm not sure. But it definitely improved my sway and weight distribution issues. So it will probably help you too.
Are these compatible with air bags?
I think the idea is that you wouldn't need airbags if you had these. I'm honestly not sure if having both install would be a good idea.
I think this are better than air bags since air bags just adds to the dampening of vertical load while this one help vertical and perpendicular to the vehicle. You have no shocks perpendicular giving you shocks when breaking whole loaded
@@GoTogetherGoFar thanks I was just curious as I already have air bags.
I had the RAS system on my f350 srw when I bought it. However whoever installed it removed the overload springs to accommodate this. I had to remove them today in order to install my airbags. You can't have both. So on my truck (2016 f350 srw) not compatible with airbags.
@@lj5673 so which one do your prefer?
Does this help increase the load capacity of a 2021 Ford F150?
No. The RAS will help how the truck performs under load, but not increase its load capacity. Your truck's load capacity is based on more than just the suspension.
Essentially yes but nobody will actually tell you that for fear of lawsuit
@@itptires Can this be installed simultaneously with the Sumosprings extended rubber bump stocks, Supersprings rear Self-Adjusting Suspension Stabilizing System, and a rear "Add-A-Leaf" kit? I want to tow something really massive with my F-150 and freak out all the Superdutys I drive past.
@@itptires The axle rating for both axles is right their on the door jamb. Unless this can magically change the axle itself, it is not going to increase capacity.
@@itptires RONG...the after-market add-ons do not add payload capacity.
I like how you left off all numbers of the graph and one side is shrunk down compared to the other side.
I'm not sure what you mean?
Make them for an xterra but not a frontier? Kinda weird.
I'm sure a good fabricator could adapt them to. I'm speaking from 17 years of experience in my profession.
Link to the write-up on your website doesn’t work. Frustrating.
Sorry about that. I'm not sure what the issue was. Everything seems to be working now though.
@@GoTogetherGoFar thank you!!
Despite the claims, all the RAS does is stiffen one half of the leaf spring arch. The net result is a stiffer rear suspension and, therefore, any benefits that may be had from that.
To be clear, there's nothing active about it. It's no different than adding spring rate via air bags, stiffer springs, or any other method. The only difference is that at normal ride height, they don't add as much spring rate as some other systems, but ultimately, they're just fancy springs.
I absolutely love this, my 3/4 chevy rides so much softer (I have Timbrens for heavy loads, but rides harsh for light loads). I can go over speed bumps without any issue now! This also a traction bar!
So what do you suggest to buy?
@@onelik Well, I needed Timbrens for my heavy loads. But that gave me a harsh ride empty. So I installed the Roadmaster Active suspension. This is my Nirvana! Loaded the ride is better over rough roads, while giving me more load carrying capacity. Empty the ride is amazing. I tow a 15,000 lb. fifth wheel trailer half the time. What works for you?
?
@@Will-bp2yc I was actually trying to comment to the first question of the person saying they’re fancy springs. I’m actually trying to get these for my Tacoma since I have 1” sag while towing
The f150 rear shocks are garbage from the factory. You would notice a huge difference by just changing them out to some Bilstien's. I put RAS and Bilstien's on the front and rear of my truck and it handles so much better now both with and without a trailer.
Hi Casey. I hadn't heard of Bilstien's before. Are they hard to put on?
@@GoTogetherGoFar the rear are very easy. The front is quite a job, but it is the rear that make the biggest difference. I noticed the rear of the truck would feel like it was hopping around when I hit bumps at highway speeds with the stock shocks. The Bilstien 5100's eliminated that and took out the body roll going around curves.
@@GoTogetherGoFar I put the Bilstien's on first and went with the adjustable fronts to level my truck but got tired of the squat whenever I towed anything. I put the RAS on to help with the squat and axle wrap. I feel they work really well together and I love the way my truck handles now.
Good info! Thanks i might have to look into those.
@@cs652806 How much squat did you get when you put the 5100’s on? and How much difference when you put the RAS on?
I'm lazy and stupid where would I go to have the ras installed?
Lol. I get it. I bet any local mechanic could do it pretty quickly for you.