NEW Dodge 2013 Ram 3500 4x4 -> ride is horrible! What to do? WE just bought a beautiful new 2013 Dodge Ram 3500 SLT Crew Cab and the ride is ROUGH to say the least. When we took the test drive we did not go far and on a freeway that must have been just repaved (or whatever they call it) and not very far distance wise. We previously had a 2 wheel drive 3500 mega-cab that rode beautifully (trade-in)...but felt for towing and safety we needed a 4x4.I had back surgery about 3.5 years ago and this new Dodge (2013-4x4) is just murder on my back. We drove 3 hours on a freeway and every little bump is magnified 100 times!! I am to wait for this 2013 to be broken in to ride well?CALLING all RV.net bloggers......HELP!1. Can we put "air suspension" in to help the ride without compromising the tow capabilities?2. Are there other ways to resolve this problem?3. No cooling off period so we OWN this truck.We tow a 25 foot Coleman trailer and of course I would not want to change anything on the truck that would render the truck to become an "unworthy tow vehicle". And one day we hope to upgrade our little trailer to a 5th wheel, so whatever we do we need for it to stay "tow worthy" for a big rig.Any and all suggestions would be welcomed! Thank you.

How much air psi do you have in the rear tires? if at 80, lower it to 40 or so lbs, that will make the ride somewhat nicer. Also shocks could be an issue too. Those would be the first two things I would look at! Its also possible, the new one has a MUCH stiffer and stronger suspension than your old one, IE old was 8500 lbs of rear spring, new is 9500-10K lbs of spring rating! along with increased tire capacity etc, so it WILL or SHOULD/COULD potentially ride rougher. Now with that, my navistar with a 15.5K rear suspension is not too bad...then again, I have a spring suspension seat too.......marty

How much air do you use in your tires?

Buy a 1500 for that tiny trailer. :DFor the light tongue weight on that trailer you could air down to the light load setting and get the better ride you are looking for.

http://kelderman.com/dodge_ram_2500_3500_4_link_rear_air_suspensionIf you aren't willing to drop the dough on the Kelderman, I'm really happy with my Sulastic Shackles Those however primarily remove harshness. They won't make stiff springs become soft.You could also talk with a spring shop about removing a leaf spring. You will lose some carrying capacity doing this, but maybe you have more than you need?

#40Fan wrote:Buy a 1500 for that tiny trailer. :DFor the light tongue weight on that trailer you could air down to the light load setting and get the better ride you are looking for.We hope to pull a 5th wheel one day thus the "overkill" on power and strength (3500)...and no "cooling off period" so it's ours. If we try to sell it we'll loose a lot of $$$. Thanks for the suggestion "air down"

NEW Dodge 2013 Ram 3500 4x4 -> ride is horrible! What to do?

blt2ski
Moderator
Jun 24, 2013
How much air psi do you have in the rear tires? if at 80, lower it to 40 or so lbs, that will make the ride somewhat nicer. Also shocks could be an issue too.

Those would be the first two things I would look at! Its also possible, the new one has a MUCH stiffer and stronger suspension than your old one, IE old was 8500 lbs of rear spring, new is 9500-10K lbs of spring rating! along with increased tire capacity etc, so it WILL or SHOULD/COULD potentially ride rougher. Now with that, my navistar with a 15.5K rear suspension is not too bad...then again, I have a spring suspension seat too.......

marty
TECMike
Explorer
Jun 24, 2013
How much air do you use in your tires?
_40Fan
Explorer
Jun 24, 2013
Buy a 1500 for that tiny trailer. :D

For the light tongue weight on that trailer you could air down to the light load setting and get the better ride you are looking for.
carringb
Explorer
Jun 24, 2013
http://kelderman.com/dodge_ram_2500_3500_4_link_rear_air_suspension

If you aren't willing to drop the dough on the Kelderman, I'm really happy with my Sulastic Shackles Those however primarily remove harshness. They won't make stiff springs become soft.

You could also talk with a spring shop about removing a leaf spring. You will lose some carrying capacity doing this, but maybe you have more than you need?
chakatania
Explorer
Jun 24, 2013
#40Fan wrote:
Buy a 1500 for that tiny trailer. :D

For the light tongue weight on that trailer you could air down to the light load setting and get the better ride you are looking for.

We hope to pull a 5th wheel one day thus the "overkill" on power and strength (3500)...and no "cooling off period" so it's ours. If we try to sell it we'll loose a lot of $$$.

Thanks for the suggestion "air down"
CentralCoastCam
Explorer
Jun 24, 2013
I would stay away from airbags. My expierence with them on my previous truck ('96 Ram CTD DRW 4x4) was a much rougher ride when unloaded. Even with less than a pound of air in them. This was my experience and haven't used them since I got a new truck in '05.
While not an ideal solution, throw a few hundred pounds of sandbags or other weight in the bed. Won't impact fuel mileage but should take the jarring out of the ride.
tsetsaf
Explorer III
Jun 24, 2013
The only option to change the ride is to change the spring rates. As noted earlier keldeman is one option (6-7k) or removing springs (few hundred bucks) both options would probably end your warranty coverage. Maybe you could install an air ride seat.

My fil has a bad back and swears by fords for the best seats and comfort.
Perrysburg_Dodg
Explorer
Jun 24, 2013
I'm with the guys that say air the tires down. Yep "over kill" is an under statement :W . Find what the min cold PSI setting for your tires are, marked on the side wall and set it to that. As far as a rough ride goes, it's a one ton (SRW?) truck with the highest tow rating out there, it's not going to ride nice.

This isn't your daily driver is it?

Don
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jun 24, 2013
You are used to the Mega Cab that has a soft ride. Air rear tires to 45 and set fronts to 70. I assume you have a single rear wheel truck. Long or short bed? Fill in your truck info with more detail you will get better answers.

Also get rid of your factory shocks they are junk. Install Bilstien's the yellow and blue ones.
ksss
Explorer
Jun 24, 2013
Perhaps roll in to the fiver a head of schedule. I am sure with more weight it would tame the suspension down. I have not had any luck with a rough suspension softening up over time. My GMC 2005 5500 4X4 is as rough riding now as the day I bought it.