When going on a trip with family or friends, one of the most important considerations is making sure you have all the equipment and luggage you might need.
For a short trip or with just a few of you, a standard vehicle may suffice to carry everything, but if the party grows or the level of equipment you need surpasses this then many will consider getting a small RV, motorhome or even a trailer. This is especially the case if these trips are a regular thing.
Of course, being laden down with so much equipment comes with issues of its own and carrying a lot of cargo can hugely affect the drive quality of your vehicle. That is why many drivers will consider upgrading the suspension on their vehicle by fitting an active suspension system.
One of the most popular makes is the Roadmaster. These come highly recommended by users and are popular for a number of reasons.
Whilst they tend to get rave reviews, it doesn’t mean that they are without issue, and you should consider carefully whether the system will meet your needs. Within this article we will explore some of the most common faults and complaints from users and if or how these issues can be overcome
Roadmaster Active Suspension ProblemsÂ
1. Installation issues
The most commonly reported problem that arises for many is the actual installation of this device. The process itself is quite easy and most people with a basic mechanical understanding and adequate tools can install their own system.
There is plenty of advice and guidance available online to familiarise yourself with the procedure before attempting it yourself. In addition to any instructions provided with the kit, and any guidance provided in your vehicle manual, it is even possible to find instructional videos to see exactly how it is performed .
One of the main benefits of installing the kit is that it will raise your vehicle slightly, giving you an increased overall height. One of the downsides, however, is that you need to install the system at the bottom of your vehicle and in order to access the area you will either need access to a workshop with an engine pit.
Failing that, you can use a sturdy set of jacks to lift your vehicle up while you work on it. Either option will allow you to work on your vehicle safely.
It is advisable to take photographs before you start working on your vehicle – in particular, paying attention to where fixings should go. This will hopefully prevent you having issues when it comes to putting everything back together again after you install your system. However, if you do run into problems, your vehicle manual and the installation instructions should help.
That being said it is worth noting that if you run into trouble, you can always contact Roadmaster and speak to someone within their support team. They will help talk you through the process and troubleshoot any issues that may arise for you during the installation process.
Of course, if you do not feel confident to undertake this work yourself, then you can visit a dealer or workshop and have the system professionally installed. This will be a more costly exercise, but for many it will be worth it for the peace of mind.
2. Equipment maximum weight rating
Not only will the Roadmaster active suspension raise the height of your vehicle, but they will also increase the total weight that the hitch tongue can support. For many, the reason for fitting the system is to increase the weight capacity, so it is really important to know exactly how much of an impact it will have made.
The information that comes with the equipment should advise how much load capacity has increased, however, this will vary depending on the vehicle you are using it with and the maximum capacity your vehicle is designed to carry or tow. After checking the information, if you are still unsure you should check with Roadmaster themselves.
It is important to know the exact figures to avoid going over the threshold, because going over capacity can cause damage to your vehicle and even more importantly could also affect the safety of your setup.
3. Complete failure of active suspension system
Despite extensive product testing and quality control, breakages can happen to any equipment and some customers have reported a system failure sometime after installation. It is worth noting that Roadmaster provide a generous two-year warranty with their active suspension system.
A copy of the warranty details will be provided with the system when you purchase it, however, should you lose this you can get full details on the website. It is worth familiarising yourself with the guidelines for the warranty so you can avoid doing something accidentally that might render your warranty invalid.
If your system breaks down outside of the warranty period, then it may still be possible to get a repair done at cost, but this will depend on the severity of the failure, it is advisable to consult a professional to see if this is a possibility. We would recommend doing this as soon as possible to avoid any further damage occurring .
4. Settings need adjustment
It is worth knowing that after you install the system you will need to make alterations as the system breaks in. Although it doesn’t make it clear in the instructions, anecdotal evidence suggests that you make an adjustment after the first 200 miles of driving to get the best out of your equipment.
Is there a way to make those adjustments without jacking the pickup up and removing the wheels and tires??
I have a 3500 dually and I haul a 40 foot gooseneck trailer for hotshots. My question is what’s that max weight these Ras are about to handle? I haul anywhere from $2,000-12,000 lbs? Just need to know if they can handle the weight?