Our 2006 Dodge dually 4x4 has very stiff suspension. The ride is better when towing fifth wheel but still very rough. Had shocks replaced, new tires, which help a little. Planning to put more air in air bags but may make it worse and raise truck too high for trailer.Has anyone found a way to soften the ride. I have bought several expensive cushions but I need something for the entire seat, thick and cushiony, maybe with air. I have lower back problems anyway but, unless I'm driving, it kills me.We are getting ready to go from coast to coast in a few weeks and usually can only do two days in a row because of my back. We bought this truck new and it only has 80,000 miles, can pull anything, no problems, and great fuel mileage and, at our age, we are not interested in truck payments for a new truck.Thanks,Pam

Short answer is there's not much you can do. Installing Bilstein shocks will take the sharpness out of things like expansion joints though.

Make sure your tires are not over inflated for the weight you are carrying.

You can get air suspension seats that are designed to fit into pickup trucks, you would need an air compressor on board. You can get cushions like these: http://www.hammacher.com/Product/Default.aspx?sku=83682&refsku=81485They are very similar to medical gel cushions for wheelchairs or bedridden people to prevent pressure sores. You can get full air suspension for your truck. You could get the truck weighed with the fiver on, to see what the axle weights are, and probably find you could reduce the front spring rate, that would remove a lot of jarring. At the same time you would be able to consult a pressure/load table for your tires to find out what tire pressure would be appropriate - the factory pressure is always to support the maximum gross axle weight rating, and you are probably no where near that.Brian

Link air ride. You're probably beating the tar out of your 5er too.You might be able to find a well-used Class 8 tractor with air ride everything.

Do a search for air ride seats. Might not be cheap, but truckers have used them for years with great success. I read recently about them being offered for pickups somewhere

Seat in my truck is killing me | Good Sam Community

24 Replies

2oldman
Explorer II
Dec 21, 2013
Link air ride. You're probably beating the tar out of your 5er too.

You might be able to find a well-used Class 8 tractor with air ride everything.
VintageRacer
Explorer
Dec 21, 2013
You can get air suspension seats that are designed to fit into pickup trucks, you would need an air compressor on board. You can get cushions like these: http://www.hammacher.com/Product/Default.aspx?sku=83682&refsku=81485

They are very similar to medical gel cushions for wheelchairs or bedridden people to prevent pressure sores. You can get full air suspension for your truck. You could get the truck weighed with the fiver on, to see what the axle weights are, and probably find you could reduce the front spring rate, that would remove a lot of jarring. At the same time you would be able to consult a pressure/load table for your tires to find out what tire pressure would be appropriate - the factory pressure is always to support the maximum gross axle weight rating, and you are probably no where near that.

Brian
jason4598
Explorer
Dec 21, 2013
Make sure your tires are not over inflated for the weight you are carrying.
ScottG
Nomad
Dec 21, 2013
Short answer is there's not much you can do. Installing Bilstein shocks will take the sharpness out of things like expansion joints though.

Forum Discussion

Seat in my truck is killing me

24 Replies

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

The batteries killed my Happijac remote

Truck Seat Repair

Truck camper match

New Truck Camper Forum Comments

Truck Camper Tie Downs