Dodge 3500 smoother ride???

1stgenfarmboy wrote:
My truck is even worse than a 2nd gen, I have tried everything that I could afford and nothing helps much, momma is needing a new car so I reminded her of the griping about how rough the truck is when we tow, she never rides in it unless we are towing, so we are looking at 1/2 ton for her DD and towing duty, I told her I am not selling my truck at the moment.

I know you can't go that route with your camper, is your truck a 4x4 ? , I know a 2wd rides a lot better than a 4x4, I have owned 4 2nd gen trucks and the 2wd ones ride pretty good.

I know with my truck it is the front that makes it really bad, I have mede the rear ride OK by removing some springs.

A friend of mine put on a full air ride all the way around his 1st gen and I was really thinking about do it but he said it made little difference.

My truck is even worse than a 2nd gen, I have tried everything that I could afford and nothing helps much, momma is needing a new car so I reminded her of the griping about how rough the truck is when we tow, she never rides in it unless we are towing, so we are looking at 1/2 ton for her DD and towing duty, I told her I am not selling my truck at the moment.

I know you can't go that route with your camper, is your truck a 4x4 ? , I know a 2wd rides a lot better than a 4x4, I have owned 4 2nd gen trucks and the 2wd ones ride pretty good.

I know with my truck it is the front that makes it really bad, I have mede the rear ride OK by removing some springs.

Casinojunkie wrote:
DW has developed a back issue.
While riding in the 1997 3500 Dodge diesel while pulling our 11-12,000# 5th wheel trailer, it really takes it's toll on her back.
What are the best investments to make to this truck for a better ride while loaded and unloaded?
Shocks, air bags, ect?
Without a loaded hitch weight, (I believe it is around 2,000#,s) what will help? Thank you for your reply.

This would probably be an expensive option to look at but it could make the difference for her.

Air Ride Seats

When your truck is empty, air down the tires. Makes a big difference. I run mine PSI 60 in the front and 50 in the rear when empty. 80-90 under load.

I know this sounds weird, but why not try a supplemental seat cushion...there are many made for this issue, and it's a cheap first step. Even a pillow might help...

Without touching the springs, not a who.e lot you can do to soften the suspension, but what about tire pressure.
Unloaded, you could get away with probably 25-30 psi in the rear tires and drop the fronts accordingly as well. Even loaded, if you only have 2000lbs pin weight, you likely don't need 80psi in the rear.

If you've already softened up the tires to the minimum to support the given load, then try some of the other stuff mentioned.

Ram used low durometer (soft) bushings between the frame and the cab for cab comfort. Could be yours have hardened up or compressed over the last 20 years. If you don't already have one, an air ride hitch will definitely reduce trailer impacts while towing. I have one and wouldn't tow with anything else. Not inexpensive but money well spent. They don't offer any help when your truck goes over a bump, just the trailer. If an air ride hitch is not enough improvement then you can move it to your new truck. Expensive suspension mods on your current truck, if inadequate, will go bye-bye when you trade it in. Hard thing considering trading a trusted truck.

Kelderman full air ride. But thats about $6-7k installed.
Kelderman offers what they call a stage 2 air ride for the rear thats about $2k installed.

Full air ride is 4 link fabbed rear with airbags.

Stage 2 replaces your shackle with and air bag basically. Still have springs.

Alot of small things add up to a little better ride but there is no easy answer. I'm a huge Cummins fan, but newer Chevy's ride alot better. Nice shocks, solastic shackles, airing down a little bit, seating position. They might make it bearable but you can spend alot of money for a relatively small difference.

Cameo Phil wrote:
Any idea where you can find air ride seats for a 3500 truck? I've searched the internet and have not found any for pickup trucks.

I would look at something like This.

Nothing that I know of is going to be a bolt in.