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klr650goldwing's avatar
klr650goldwing
Explorer
Jan 28, 2020

New used truck

Today we test drove a 2017 Ford F350 6.7, CC,LB, DRW 4X4 KING RANCH. We currently have a 2004 F350 V10 CC LB 4X4 SRW XLT. With 13 years of technology advancements between these two trucks, I was expecting the 2017 to ride smoother, more quiet and with more power. It had more power for sure, but the 04 was much smoother and more quiet. And lastly, the ride of the 2017 was stiff and rough compared to the 04. Is this the ride of all DRW trucks?

17 Replies

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  • Cummins12V98's avatar
    Cummins12V98
    Explorer III
    Jan 28, 2020
    "My rear tires are at about 60 psi."

    You don't air down when stationary for a while? I run 35psi rears with way more capacity than needed solo.
  • BarneyS's avatar
    BarneyS
    Nomad
    Jan 28, 2020
    When I was looking to replace my 2002 F250 PSD with over 300,000 miles on the clock in 2016, I test drove a new 2016 F250 diesel and was very disappointed in the ride. I then went and test drove a new 2016 Ram 2500 CTD with rear air ride and was very pleasantly surprised with how smooth and comfortable the truck rode. In addition, the interior was far superior to the Ford. Guess what I purchased? :B
    Barney



  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Jan 28, 2020
    klr650goldwing wrote:
    Logically speaking reducing tire pressure would make for a softer ride. However, the tires on the 04 are all set at 80 psi. The dually in comparison felt like the axles were welded to the frame, incredibly stiff and rough. It was the first dually I have driven so I wasn't expecting such a stiff ride. Is there any way to soften the ride of a dually truck?

    Well the 3500 DRW will have stiffer springs as the axle is usually rated at 9,500#+, compared to about 7,000# for the SRW. I actually felt the ride is smoother in our 2016 Ram 3500 DRW than our 2001 Ram 2500.
    My rear tires are at about 60 psi.
  • Cummins12V98's avatar
    Cummins12V98
    Explorer III
    Jan 28, 2020
    Two different animals! DRW truck most likely had WAYYY too much rear tire air, 35psi is plenty solo. The 17 is a newer gen truck with much more capable springs and frame. Your gen truck is known for being soft.

    My DRW RAM rides GREAT since it has factory rear air ride. Friends with a standard sprung DRW RAM rode to dinner with us and both commented several times as to how nice it rode.
  • klr650goldwing's avatar
    klr650goldwing
    Explorer
    Jan 28, 2020
    Logically speaking reducing tire pressure would make for a softer ride. However, the tires on the 04 are all set at 80 psi. The dually in comparison felt like the axles were welded to the frame, incredibly stiff and rough. It was the first dually I have driven so I wasn't expecting such a stiff ride. Is there any way to soften the ride of a dually truck?
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Jan 28, 2020
    MFL wrote:
    I think with DRW trucks, it is more important to keep tire psi at a much lower pressure with no load. Maybe the tires were aired for a load.

    Jerry


    X2
    Some think tires need to be aired to Max sidewall pressure for towing 80 psi. With DRW those tires for max payload the correct loaded pressure is 65 psi, running empty it can be dropped to 45 psi.
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Jan 28, 2020
    I think with DRW trucks, it is more important to keep tire psi at a much lower pressure with no load. Maybe the tires were aired for a load.

    Jerry

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