chakatania wrote:
NEW Dodge 2013 Ram 3500 4x4 -> ride is horrible! What to do?
WE just bought a beautiful new 2013 Dodge Ram 3500 SLT Crew Cab and the ride is ROUGH to say the least.
When we took the test drive we did not go far and on a freeway that must have been just repaved (or whatever they call it) and not very far distance wise.
We previously had a 2 wheel drive 3500 mega-cab that rode beautifully (trade-in)...but felt for towing and safety we needed a 4x4.
I had back surgery about 3.5 years ago and this new Dodge (2013-4x4) is just murder on my back. We drove 3 hours on a freeway and every little bump is magnified 100 times!! I am to wait for this 2013 to be broken in to ride well?
CALLING all RV.net bloggers......HELP!
1. Can we put "air suspension" in to help the ride without compromising the tow capabilities?
2. Are there other ways to resolve this problem?
3. No cooling off period so we OWN this truck.
We tow a 25 foot Coleman trailer and of course I would not want to change anything on the truck that would render the truck to become an "unworthy tow vehicle".
And one day we hope to upgrade our little trailer to a 5th wheel, so whatever we do we need for it to stay "tow worthy" for a big rig.
Any and all suggestions would be welcomed!
Thank you.
As asked earlier; is this a 3500 Dually or a SRW truck? Would help to know. I have the 13' Dually in my sig. The last two Ram Dually's I owned, a 2010 Ram and a 2012 Ram had two placards on the drivers side door jamb, showing recommended tire air pressure for loaded and unloaded conditions.....Tires are aired down when truck is "not towing". You might look as recommended, on your door placard to see what is recommended for your truck.
The 13' Dually in my sig. only has one placard for listing one air pressure, period...It states 80 psi in the front's and 65 psi in the rears...sounds high to me , so I called the tire manufacturer and told them my vehicle and what the placard stated as far as running at said recommended tire psi... Was told to follow the placard, thus, I run them at the psi recommended and to be perfectly truthful, for a 1 ton CC/LB/4X4 diesel truck, the ride is most comfortable..We make trips to our camp in WV, (255 miles one way), and my wife and I can't get over the comfort of the ride.
Like others, makes me thing your tires are over inflated, or very, very low psi....I would invest in a decent tire gage, (I have a Slime digital tire pressure gage), and check the tire pressure in the morning when you get up and check cold air pressure and adjust per your trucks recommended tire pressure setting.
I've worked with ABS, ESC systems as well as brake calipers and a little food for thought, depending how one air's up their tires, or runs a lower tire air pressure that "makes the ride more comfortable", could cause the above systems, ABS & ESP programs to not perform as effectively as they've been engineered to do. One would possibly notice in an emergency stop or maneuver when ABS or ESC systems "kick in" if you get into a sudden stop or "sliding" condition.
Though it may not be popular at times, I'd follow recommended tire pressure settings per the placard that has been put on the drivers side door jamb.
As well as our 1 ton Dually rides, (and it's my daily driver also), something may be wrong with the tires, or your tire pressure is too high, or very, very low. There was a poster on the "cummins forums" that had to have his tires replaced due to the rough wobbly ride on his 13' Dually...might be another thing to look at.
oh, by the way, the heavier the 5er you tow, (within trucks capabilities of course), the truck will ride better.
Again, could you tell us if the truck is a single rear wheel truck or a dually? thank you.
