OOSC, Part II, Item 10. Suspension, b. (8) (a) - Combination Air/Spring Suspension on 3500 Series Trucks

I understand the direction on aftermarket/secondary air suspension installed on pick-ups. RAM is offering factory (OEM) air suspension on more and more models. I have received some information from Chrysler regarding their suspension - 1500 series option - coil springs are replaced with air springs. 2500 series - option to have front with conventional coil and rear replaced with air springs. These are straight forward. Primary suspension is air, if deflated it is violation and OOS. 3500 series - option to have air is on rear but works in combination with leaf spring. If this were to be leaking/deflated, would it be a violation and even OOS?

3500 series trucks are a class of CMV that will be stopped for inspection by officers/inspectors. This isn't of high importance at the present time, but we need clarification on what constitutes a violation and OOS on this suspension since it doesn't fall into the aftermarket guidance as it is equipped from the manufacturer. These vehicles will become more common and as they age, more defects will occur. Response from Chrysler: \"The 3500 series trucks with the air suspension option uses a combination of the air and leaf springs to accommodate the vehicle loading capabilities. An unloaded truck requires a very small amount of air pressure in the springs to operate at normal suspension ride height as the leaf spring is supporting the majority of the vehicle weight. Once you start adding weight to the truck (cargo, trailer etc) the air pressure in the springs is increased to maintain the ride height and assist the leaf springs with carrying the load. The truck can be driven if the air suspension is inoperative / deflated but the load capacity would be significantly reduced and our recommendation would be for the operator to visit one of our dealers for suspension service as soon as possible. \"

Please review and determine if there would be a violation on a 3500 series RAM with OEM equipped air springs/leaf springs if the air system was leaking, or if it would be OOS if it was deflated. I thought of it being OOS if \"loaded\", but then what is loaded. There would be officers that would put it OOS if it had a spare tire in the back of the truck.