I say its not worth it. I do not have it and my truck gets great mileage just like all the others. Also you can get an after market one for cheaper than the factory if you really wait it. Otherwise just get side steps.
I've heard 1-1.5MPG on the highway more with the air suspension assuming you're driving at a speed conducive to it going in to "aero" mode or whatever.Most people I have heard feedback from on this say it's not necessary and that like the member above, it's not worth it.
what has mileage been like for those that have it compared to a ram 1500 without?
Thanks. I've actually got some air ride 1000 bags in my tahoe now, and it looks like I could take them out and put them in the ram and use them there as well if I wanted, and add a compressor down the line if I used it a lot. I don't tow or haul heavy loads a lot, just runs to home depot, a 4-wheeler/lawnmower every now and again and such, but I have towed a 30' camper a couple times (it's a friends) and have moved myself and sister in and out of apartments and had some heavy loads then.O.p....your Lincoln had air shocks. The ram has air bags. Similar to a semi. Shocks and bags are two completely different systems. As far as ride, I test drove a crew 5'7" air suspension and it rides no different than my laramie crew 6'4" with coil suspension. On a electronic test table there may be a difference, but the real world my butt in the drivers seat I couldn't tell.
As far as the parking garage concern, if I recall the air suspension only drops something like 2 ". If it's that close I'll find somewhere else to park.
If you tow heavy occasionally, spend 80.00 on an air ride air bag system. This prevents the truck from squatting under load and is as simple as adding air to a tire. If you want, buy the on board compressor for the bags and customize on the fly.
Mileage in my opinion, is personal driving habits. I'm at 23.8 over 2400 miles and that's by the pen and paper. Two 340 mile trips I got 27.9 and 28.8 ( again by pen and paper....i do find the evic is somewhat accurate - biggest difference has been 8 tenths high). That was running with traffic 4-7 mph over the posted limit.
Overall it's pretty cool (more of a wow factor), but I didn't feel the 1600 option was reasonable.
Good luck!
Just out of curiosity, we're the two trips exactly the same weather conditions? Reason I ask is weather can cause a large factor. As you can see my two trips were .9 different. Almost 1 mpg. That contributed to higher temps (a/c compressor) and a decent side wind. The trip I scored just shy of 29 mpg I didn't run a/c and the wind was nearly non existent.If your primary motivation is added fuel economy, it'll be a long road to recoup the option price. I had to make the same 200 mile trip on 2 consecutive days & compared the results with aero & normal ride height. Netted 1.2 mpg advantage @ 70-75 mph. The entry-exit mode is so slow on mine it's of no advantage. I've actually gone in to do my shopping & noticed it dropping as I was coming back out. What makes me feel warm & fuzzy is the ride comfort that rivals any luxury car I've ever owned. While most reports agree the air suspension isn't able to level a load in excess of 2000lbs, I've had loads in excess of a ton on 3 occassions, heaviest of 2300+, & it leveled the load without a problem. It is an expensive option but for my use I'd definitely do it again.
The trips were made on 2 consecutive days with no appreciable difference in traffic, weather conditions , loads or other driving conditions. While not a laboratory sterile comparison I feel it was probably about as good of a real world comparison as possible. It's nearly impossible to definitively proof minor economy differences without repetitive tests because of so many seemingly indifferent circumstances can alter the results. A recent question along the same lines was about fuel economy differences between 4x4 & 2 wheel drive. Almost impossible to get an accurate results without averaging numerous tests. I'm pretty confident that there is , however, a small fuel efficiency advantage to the aero mode.Just out of curiosity, we're the two trips exactly the same weather conditions? Reason I ask is weather can cause a large factor. As you can see my two trips were .9 different. Almost 1 mpg. That contributed to higher temps (a/c compressor) and a decent side wind. The trip I scored just shy of 29 mpg I didn't run a/c and the wind was nearly non existent.
Second question I have is I've read several threads where individuals are talking of 2000 + lbs. Just curious, are you guys putting this weight in the bed of the truck!? If so that's over double on I think almost all eds and 2300 lbs is almost triple if a loaded up ed. Not saying I'll always run by mfg ratings, but I'd be scared to break something.