Ford SuperDuty more bumpy + jittery empty, than when loaded?

[LosAngeles]

Hi all

When test driving a 2019 F350 crew cab 8 ft. box - - it is empty, of course.

I find the ride a *little* jittery and bumpy when doing an ordinary road test, driving on ordinary paved roads.

I am curious - once we have a 2,500 lb (wet) pop up truck camper in it, along with camping stuff, etc…. will the ride be *slightly* less jittery and bumpy?

Yes I know it is a work truck…. i have reasonable expectations. I’m just curious as to if the ride improves a bit with some weight in it. (or not)

Thanks! 🙂

[hedge]

My family has had Ford's for years. We've had good luck with them but I've always thought they were a bit worse on washboard type of roads than the others when empty. The old twin I-beam were a real handful on washboards, at least now it's mostly just the back end moving around. I've driven gravel roads most of my life so I'm mostly used to it now.

[the_bear_II]

Our 3500 pickup and our new 4500 truck are both jittery/rough when empty. The hitch weight on our 5th wheel is 3000lbs. Both trucks get real smooth when connected to the 5th wheel. The 3500 rides like a Cadillac. The 4500 still gets a jitter in the front axle, I understand others have added bilstein shocks and it helps smooth out the front jitters.

[Grit_dog]

Is this in comparison to another similar truck or never driven a 1 ton pickup before?
As said, anything designed to haul 2-3 tons will ride rough empty.
But the right tire pressure will help a bunch.

[Kayteg1]

In case you have dually - Ford at least for 2017 made 5-spokes wheels, who require special air chuck, that you can't buy anywhere, but the net.

[Chrisatthebeach]

markowwes wrote:
The more weight you put in that box the better the ride is going to get, you may want to check the tire pressure, I lower mine when i am empty to smoothen things out a bit too, aired up to max whithout a load will cause them to wear in the middle.
Wes

Same here, air down unloaded, my back likes it better too.

[LosAngeles]

all great info - many thanks! 🙂

[Old-Biscuit]

Rear Tire pressures will change how it feels/drives ----empty to loaded

Suspension is stiff and becomes more 'smoother' with increased loads


I run my Rear Tires at 45# empty and 80# loaded.
Big difference in how it rides...but empty it is still a TRUCK

*I leave Front tires at 65# All the time due to heavy diesel weight

[Kayteg1]

Has been like that for over 100 years as spring suspension design for thousands of lb load will be stiff with empty bed.
Google Sulastic hangers if you want to improve it.
Or Dodge offers air suspension, but although that sounds good in theory, the reviews are not too exciting.

[valhalla360]

Yes, that should smooth it out nicely.

[markowwes]

The more weight you put in that box the better the ride is going to get, you may want to check the tire pressure, I lower mine when i am empty to smoothen things out a bit too, aired up to max whithout a load will cause them to wear in the middle.
Wes

[markowwes]

The more weight you put in that box the better the ride is going to get, you may want to check the tire pressure, I lower mine when i am empty to smoothen things out a bit too, aired up to max whithout a load will cause them to wear in the middle.
Wes