Suggestions for improving Dodge dually ride and handling
Last year, we bought a 2002 Dodge 3500 Diesel dually and 2002 Northern Lite 10-2 CD near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and drove home to Denver. The ride and handling did not inspire confidence. So we drove at 55 mph or less and felt safe at those speeds.
This spring, though the Dodge had less than 20k miles, we replaced the shocks with a set of KYB Monomax. This, plus increasing tire pressures (especially the front) resulted in a significant improvement.
However, our new rig does not come close to driving as well as our 2003 Tundra and 2004 Phoenix (1000 lb) popup, which we sold after buying the Dodge and NL. The difference is night and day.
Is this difference to be expected when switching from a lightweight, low-profile rig to a heavy, high-profile one? Or is there something I can do to improve the ride and handling? What has worked for you?
More specifically: when we drive on a smooth highway, all is fine. But when we hit a pothole, the jolt is severe. And a rough roadway causes the shakes. Plus, I find myself avoiding dirt roads altogether, roads that were no problem with our Tundra and Phoenix.
Because we have yet to drive in any severe crosswinds, I don't know if that would be a problem.
Finally, the steering is much too slow to suit me. I realize that probably little can be done to remedy this. But I wanted to mention it nevertheless.
Last year, before buying our present rig, we rented a Northern Lite 8'11 Sportsman on a new Ford 350 diesel SRW. If I recall, that rig handled better in every respect than our present one--except that our DRW I think is more stable side to side than the Ford SRW. Maybe the improvement in the Ford over the Dodge can be attributed to twelve years of truck evolution. I don't want to start a Ford vs Dodge debate. I don't know if the Ford had any suspension upgrades to handle the camper. But I doubt it.
This spring, though the Dodge had less than 20k miles, we replaced the shocks with a set of KYB Monomax. This, plus increasing tire pressures (especially the front) resulted in a significant improvement.
However, our new rig does not come close to driving as well as our 2003 Tundra and 2004 Phoenix (1000 lb) popup, which we sold after buying the Dodge and NL. The difference is night and day.
Is this difference to be expected when switching from a lightweight, low-profile rig to a heavy, high-profile one? Or is there something I can do to improve the ride and handling? What has worked for you?
More specifically: when we drive on a smooth highway, all is fine. But when we hit a pothole, the jolt is severe. And a rough roadway causes the shakes. Plus, I find myself avoiding dirt roads altogether, roads that were no problem with our Tundra and Phoenix.
Because we have yet to drive in any severe crosswinds, I don't know if that would be a problem.
Finally, the steering is much too slow to suit me. I realize that probably little can be done to remedy this. But I wanted to mention it nevertheless.
Last year, before buying our present rig, we rented a Northern Lite 8'11 Sportsman on a new Ford 350 diesel SRW. If I recall, that rig handled better in every respect than our present one--except that our DRW I think is more stable side to side than the Ford SRW. Maybe the improvement in the Ford over the Dodge can be attributed to twelve years of truck evolution. I don't want to start a Ford vs Dodge debate. I don't know if the Ford had any suspension upgrades to handle the camper. But I doubt it.
