airstream ride?

Our 2017 Jayco 28RLSS has about the most basic suspension a trailer could have. With our F250, it tows very smoothly. Smoother than our previous 32' 5th wheel. What were you pulling your previous AS with? I think the 1-ton tow vehicle is the rough ride. My wife had a ruptured disc and two bulging discs in her lower back. There were days I had to help her sit up on the bed to get up. It took about five years to get them healed up with proper therapy. My then 2500HD Ram was brutally painful for her. I would definitely soften up the tires on the dually for her. If it takes downsizing to a 1/2 ton and compatible TT, I would do it for her. Our Reese HP 8k trunnion style WDH rode a little smoother than our current Equalizer 4 point 10k. Neither are jarring or overly stiff. Best wishes for improvement with her back.

Most mass produced pull behind units today use the cheapest suspension available, leaf springs and no shocks. I agree a Troflex axle system rides much better and needs no shocks because the internal rubber rods (in the axle housing) impart a dampening effect, just like external shocks on a leaf spring setup do.

Far as a rough riding truck goes, you might want to check out air ride seat bases (if you have bucket seats). You can get them with built in compressors. hard to beat an air ride seat. Standard equipment on big trucks today.

My farm tractors all have air ride seats that even swivel.

So after all that it's about the ride in the truck for your DW's bad back. Nothing like a good beat around the bush. Don't enter any clear writing contests.

I don't care about the aerodynamics.....wife has a bad back and I am looking for the best smoothest ride. We have tried everything that we can afford to sink into the Dodge dually and whether it is empty pulling a trailer or with truck camper it is just not tolerable for the wife at all. And I did get allot of help on trying to make it work and I suppose I could spend 5k and get the better ride but not doing it on that old of a truck.
So we are looking for either a small 5th wheel pulled buy a newer 1/2 ton or a trailer.

Look into mods for the truck to make the ride a little smoother.
Sulastic makes a kit that takes the harshness out of the rear spring pack. Much cheaper than a new truck, trailer, or fifth wheel.

And if you want to also purchase the Airstream you will love it. It is the gold standard of travel trailers.

TorFlex axles don't suffer from bump steer like hung axles. This feature would probably reduce the "tail wagging the dog" syndrome. and result in a smoother tow.

If your truck hurts her back while empty I would agree with the post about upgrading her seat. The next step is upgrading the truck. My current Dodge is a nightmare compared to my previous Titan in terms of ride comfort. Probably a result of completely different capabilities.

Any TT is going to pull smoothly, if they have Dexter Torsion Flex Axles.

Whatever you do, don't get a TT with springs or leafs.

Full air ride ram 1500. Rides very smooth with our 2017 ATC 28 front bedroom. Anderesn WD with polyurethane bushings to absorb schock. Lots of RV and smooth. Coach is all metal top to bottom with 4 wheel independent torsion suspension.

Kinda floats going down the road.

Now that we know Airstream ride has nothing to do about the trailer... you're trying to improve the ride of your truck for the DW, I would suggest you look into a Bostrom full motion air ride seat for here.

Forest River Rockwood and Windjammer trailers have the same TorFlex axles as the Airstreams. Having never pulled an Airstream, I don't know if it's as good, but our Windjammer pulls very nice.

I think Airstream trailers all have shock absorbers and that's likely the difference, not aerodynamics. Get a TT that comes with shocks (not many do) or has them as an option or have them added.

We had shocks added to our 29' TT and it made a huge difference. Improves not only handling but there is less vertical motion of the trailer's coupler transferred to the ball on the TV so the ride is more comfortable. Having towed the same TT with and without shocks, I would never own another TT without them. Also, the reduction in bouncing reduces the chances of things being thrown around inside, esp. in rear kitchen models.

Shock kits are available (Mor/Ryde or Lippert) or you can design your own using Monroe shocks. You'll need a certified welder for welding brackets to the frame and a frame shop to install new tie plates & U-bolts.