Forum Discussion
Gdetrailer
Dec 21, 2013Explorer III
transamz9 wrote:Gdetrailer wrote:
Nothing short of replacing the one ton truck for a 1/2 ton truck is going to "fix" a stiff ride..
You have had this same vehicle for 80K + miles, should have noticed this from day #1 of ownership...
I would suggest if you are running full sidewall pressure while unloaded then lowering the pressure SOME WHILE EMPTY ONLY will go a long way in making a firm ride a bit softer, BUT it still has 1ton SPRINGS and they are stiff.
While it may be possible to slip softer springs on the vehicle then you are going to risk overloading those springs when loaded.. A catch 22.. You can't have both worlds (Caddy ride when empty AND 1 ton hauling)...
It IS a truck and heavy haulers DO ride harsh especially when unloaded.
I have to disagree a little. My truck may not ride like a Caddy but it does ride as well as a 2WD half ton after my suspension upgrades. My suspension will also handle as much as any factory 350/3500 (10,000# capacity). I can also level my fifth wheel front to rear, air up tires and such, run an impact to remove wheels and lower the tailgate to below my waste on my 4X4 Ram to load stuff in the bed and I am short.
To make a one ton ride softer you would HAVE to replace the STIFFER high rate springs with LOWER and softer spring rates. Then to allow for heavy loads you would HAVE to add on stuff like air bags.
This to me is just plain stupid.
You buy a one ton for the hauling, not the ride.
Its YOUR truck and money but at the end of the day you have a crippled hap haphazardly modded suspension which one part of it fails and you are going to be limping it home. Air bags DO go bad, air lines do break and depending on them to carry the load with lesser springs just may not not be able to carry the full load..
While you and others may like your mods, the truth is once you start modding the suspension it is no longer rated to handle or carry the load the manufacturer listed.
My suggestion is if the ride is that bad, then you have just two alternatives.
One, replace truck with a CAR for DAILY DRIVING and leave the truck for HAULING ONLY.
Two, replace the SEAT by either having an Upholstery shop rebuild the seat with new and added cushions or replace the seat with a newer softer one from a car...
About Travel Trailer Group
44,029 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 13, 2025