My truck is a 99 f350, camper is now a palomino which weighs right around 4000lbs. This is the third truck camper I have had on this truck and probably the heaviest. I have never been satisfied with the quality of ride or the quality of driving. I also have nothing to compare it to because this is the only truck I have used for hauling a camper. I have replaced all the shocks with pep boys gabriel?. Not real quality but better than the factory shocks which were on it when I bought the truck. It now has 238k on the truck. I purchased the truck with 100k on it and thats when I replaced the shocks and drag link,tie rod ends,and added a factory steering stabilizer. My question is how much improvement do you think if I replaced the shocks with rancho, which seem to be a popular choice, and possible add a steer rite or higher quality steering stabilizer? How good does your truck ride if you own a similar truck? Is there something else I should be looking at?

Is your truck squatting a bit or is it the angle?? I think you want to look at Stableloads before you worry about shocks. I know that is a little car and trailer but you might want to look at W/D. That single axle will increase hitch load more than you might think. That makes the rear sag and messes with your steering.

I just got back from a 500 mile round trip to Rockingham NC . I have a F250 with new shocks , Monroe brand. The roads were rough on the trip, one bump after another. I was thinking while being bounced around if I go out west I'll need another truck ! Is this normal? I always figured if there is close to 2000 pounds in the bed it would not be as rough as it would be empty but I was wrong.

I know a lot of members are very pleased with Rancho shocks with ford trucks and most Dodge Truck members including myself are very pleased with Bilstein shocks.

We have almost the same truck as you and are happy with the ride and handling. We got our truck with 78,000 on it and replaced the worn out OEM shocks with Monroe Gas Magnums,They were a big improvement over the worn out shocks and we put on a set of Cooper discoverer S-Ts and I made some blocks to engage the overload springs sooner. When the tires got about 6 years old we replaced them with Cooper Discoverer AT/3. The ride improved, same air pressure but the new tires must have a stiffer sidewall.We now have 130,000 on the truck and the ride and handling is still good. Have you weighed your truck and camper? Maybe it's heavier than you think. Love your toad.

if it is side to side rocking look into better anti sway bars like Roadmaster. My stock bars were wet noodles in comparison. But yeah weigh the truck with the TC on and the trailer loaded to see how you are really loaded by axle then come back and let us chew the fat on possible solutions for handling issues.

Truck Ride Quality | Good Sam Community

17 Replies

sonuvabug
Explorer
Oct 06, 2014
mclainfarm wrote:
... snipped ... I have never been satisfied with the quality of ride or the quality of driving.

Can you be more specific as to what exactly are you not satisfied with? i.e. describe the unwanted/negative symtoms you are experiencing
mclainfarm
Explorer
Oct 06, 2014
The truck sits level and I don't have any side to side or sway problems. I forgot to mention but I also installed timbrems on the rear. I have not had a chance to weigh the rig yet, but I imagine it will be more than I think. It just feels like you feel every bump in the road.
Buzzcut1
Nomad II
Oct 06, 2014
if it is side to side rocking look into better anti sway bars like Roadmaster. My stock bars were wet noodles in comparison. But yeah weigh the truck with the TC on and the trailer loaded to see how you are really loaded by axle then come back and let us chew the fat on possible solutions for handling issues.
Farmerjon
Explorer
Oct 06, 2014
We have almost the same truck as you and are happy with the ride and handling.
We got our truck with 78,000 on it and replaced the worn out OEM shocks with Monroe Gas Magnums,They were a big improvement over the worn out shocks and we put on a set of Cooper discoverer S-Ts and I made some blocks to engage the overload springs sooner.
When the tires got about 6 years old we replaced them with Cooper Discoverer AT/3. The ride improved, same air pressure but the new tires must have a stiffer sidewall.
We now have 130,000 on the truck and the ride and handling is still good.
Have you weighed your truck and camper? Maybe it's heavier than you think.
Love your toad.
billyray50
Explorer
Oct 06, 2014
I know a lot of members are very pleased with Rancho shocks with ford trucks and most Dodge Truck members including myself are very pleased with Bilstein shocks.
Driftwood132
Explorer
Oct 06, 2014
I just got back from a 500 mile round trip to Rockingham NC . I have a F250 with new shocks , Monroe brand. The roads were rough on the trip, one bump after another. I was thinking while being bounced around if I go out west I'll need another truck ! Is this normal? I always figured if there is close to 2000 pounds in the bed it would not be as rough as it would be empty but I was wrong.
tonymull
Explorer
Oct 06, 2014
Is your truck squatting a bit or is it the angle?? I think you want to look at Stableloads before you worry about shocks. I know that is a little car and trailer but you might want to look at W/D. That single axle will increase hitch load more than you might think. That makes the rear sag and messes with your steering.

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Truck Ride Quality

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