Frequently Asked Questions
Can bottoming out do damage to my vehicle?Yes. Bottoming out can cause excessive wear on leaf springs, bushings, shackles, shocks, tires and can do damage to the frame of the vehicle.
Can RAS eliminate vehicle rollover?No. Roadmaster Active Suspension can not eliminate rollovers due to the complexity, and many contributing factors, of a rollover event. No individual product can. However, RAS will significantly improve road holding and stability during sudden maneuvers, thus making the vehicle safer and less prone to roll. This is especially true of 15-passenger vans.
Do I need to do any welding, drilling or cutting to my vehicle?No vehicle modifications are required. RAS is attached to the rear leaf springs with brackets included in the kit and your existing u-bolts. Pre-loaded coil spring tension, set at time of install, holds the system securely in place. Once set, the preload never needs adjusting.
How does Roadmaster Active Suspension work?Roadmaster Active Suspension (RAS) kits consist of a set of two very powerful, variable rated coil tension springs that when installed support and assist the rear leaf springs by holding them in their (Original designed) bowed position. When downward strain from load or vehicle weight shift is applied to the leaf springs, the stabilizing action of RAS comes into action immediately absorbing the force of the load. Being variable rated, the greater the strain, the more corrective counter assistance force is applied from the RAS unit.
Is RAS easy to install and do I require special tools?RAS is very easy to install and should take about an hour. The kit comes with a set of easy to follow step-by-step fitting instructions, complete with pictures! For ease of install you will require a two post auto lift and standard shop tools. RAS can also be installed on the ground using a trolley jack and jack stands.
What if I need technical support?Just call our Technical Support line Toll Free at 1-800-398-5036 and a member of our support team will answer all of you questions.
Will installing RAS void my vehicle Warranty?No. Roadmaster Active Suspension does not void vehicle manufacturers warranties. Here’s some OEM wording on the subject.
DAIMLER-CHRYSLER“Certain changes that you might make to your truck do not, by themselves, void the warranties described in this booklet. Examples of some of these changes are: installing non-Chrysler parts, components, or equipment.”- 1997 Warranty Information supplementto Dodge Owner’s Manual
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FORD MOTOR COMPANY“Installation of a non-genuine Ford item does not, in and of itself, render warranty void.”- Ford Owner Relations Division
Will RAS harden my ride?No. RAS will not harden ride, and in fact, will improve it. Unlike other load assisting products that resist and/or transfer load to the vehicle’s frame, RAS is unique in that it is integrated with your suspension system. The key is in the powerful, variable rated, coil springs which add strength without stiffness. They convert your PASSIVE suspension into an ACTIVE suspension system which vastly decreases rebound felt when going over poor road surfaces.
Will RAS improve braking and acceleration traction?Yes. RAS improves traction by reducing axle wrap and the resulting wheel hop. RAS absorbs the added force of increased torque thereby limiting the S-Curve twisting and subsequent release common to leaf springs. Traction is now increased allowing the rear tires to transfer torque to the ground more efficiently.
Will RAS in any way obstruct movement of my leaf springs? No. RAS has been engineered to fit without any interference with the original equipment, provided it is installed on vehicles that are listed in the RAS Vehicle Application Guide.
Will RAS increase my payload?Yes. With the RAS system now supporting the rear leaf springs the payload can be increased by 50% over the vehicle’s rated payload. Even with this additional weight RAS will prevent the vehicle from bottoming out.
Will RAS reduce sway and roll when cornering?Yes. RAS will greatly reduce body sway and roll in cornering. Roadmaster’s powerful coil spring supports the weight that shifts onto the rear leaf spring that is taking the additional load. Holding the leaf spring in a bowed position (not allowing to flatten out) maintains a more level vehicle on turns and curves.
