Ride quality ideas for a F-350?

[mlts22]

Right now, my tow vehicle is a F-150. It rides quite well. I'm planning to trade it in for a F-350 (SB, Scab) that will be my daily driver, but is beefy enough to handle a truck camper. However, with the heavy springs, I'm pretty sure ride quality is going to be "stagecoach" level, and I have a relative I often take places who is sensitive to bouncy rides, so even though for me, I can deal with a bone-shaker, but for her, it would make life miserable.

Is there a way to improve unloaded ride quality on a F-350 without sacrificing weight carrying capability? There is always the age old trick of tossing stuff in the truck bed, but due to storage being an extreme premium right now for me, that isn't really a good fix. I am thinking airbags, and maybe even dropping the air pressure in the tires right above where the TPMS would start alerting, but wonder if there is a better way to do this.

[Golden_HVAC]

mdamerell wrote:
My better half has back issues so ride is important. Air bags did help the ride both loaded (20-25#) and empty (5-8#). RR tracks and pot hole are the biggest offenders.

I am interested in an air ride conversion but don't have the dollars at this point.

Example

That looks like a neat kit.

Fred.

[lenr]

Ford TPMS will go off at about 75% of sticker rating so that is about 60 psi rear for a 350. All the end user can train is position. By training the wheels backwards front to rear and running the pressures down at 65 front and 55 rear one could probably keep the TPMS from going off. Some dealers will set the trip limit down, but others will not because of liability, and it definitely takes a program change.

[bfast54]

dlk wrote:
I dropped the rear tire pressure to 65 to match the front as the truck was empty until camping season, only went a little ways and the tpms alerted me to a low tire, tpms is set for 80 rear 65 front.

Did you do a " reset"......?????......should end your issue.....Look it up in your owners guide.

[dlk]

I dropped the rear tire pressure to 65 to match the front as the truck was empty until camping season, only went a little ways and the tpms alerted me to a low tire, tpms is set for 80 rear 65 front.

[Cummins12V98]

TucsonJim wrote:

ah64id wrote:

TucsonJim wrote:
On my F350, there is no "airing the rear tires down". The placard calls for 80psi all the time. But I don't mind the ride. I only notice how stiff it is when I'm on a really bad road or when I'm going over a speed bump. I would not hesitate to use it as my daily driver.

Then that's your choice, the tire manufacturer would tell you that you are overinflated running 80 psi empty and are more prone to road hazard tire failures.

Are you sure there isn't a second sticker? Maybe on a different part of the door?

It's not a choice, and you're guessing what the tire mfg will say based on your lack of information. There is only one placard. 65PSI front, 80PSI rear. That is also what the dealer sets it to when he does the service on it.

Those pressures are a great recipe for outer edge wear on fronts and center wear on rears when unloaded.

[Artum_Snowbird]

I can't say for sure with a newer unit, but certainly my 2000 7.3 is a beast. It calms down a lot if I turn the Rancho 9000 shocks down to the softest ride. Scared the heck out of me one time when I loaded up the camper and forgot to turn up the shocks though. What a difference.

[ChooChooMan74]

You may want to try the new Ram with the Monoleaf and Air suspension. I know it is just coming out, but worth a try.

[Cummins12V98]

TucsonJim wrote:
On my F350, there is no "airing the rear tires down". The placard calls for 80psi all the time. But I don't mind the ride. I only notice how stiff it is when I'm on a really bad road or when I'm going over a speed bump. I would not hesitate to use it as my daily driver.

Use the tire inflation chart based on your load that is what they are for.

If you don't want to do that enjoy the rough ride, less traction when braking and poor tire wear.

[TucsonJim]

ah64id wrote:

TucsonJim wrote:
On my F350, there is no "airing the rear tires down". The placard calls for 80psi all the time. But I don't mind the ride. I only notice how stiff it is when I'm on a really bad road or when I'm going over a speed bump. I would not hesitate to use it as my daily driver.

Then that's your choice, the tire manufacturer would tell you that you are overinflated running 80 psi empty and are more prone to road hazard tire failures.

Are you sure there isn't a second sticker? Maybe on a different part of the door?

It's not a choice, and you're guessing what the tire mfg will say based on your lack of information. There is only one placard. 65PSI front, 80PSI rear. That is also what the dealer sets it to when he does the service on it.

[AH64ID]

TucsonJim wrote:
On my F350, there is no "airing the rear tires down". The placard calls for 80psi all the time. But I don't mind the ride. I only notice how stiff it is when I'm on a really bad road or when I'm going over a speed bump. I would not hesitate to use it as my daily driver.

Then that's your choice, the tire manufacturer would tell you that you are overinflated running 80 psi empty and are more prone to road hazard tire failures.

Are you sure there isn't a second sticker? Maybe on a different part of the door?

[mdamerell]

My better half has back issues so ride is important. Air bags did help the ride both loaded (20-25#) and empty (5-8#). RR tracks and pot hole are the biggest offenders.

I am interested in an air ride conversion but don't have the dollars at this point.

Example

[TucsonJim]

On my F350, there is no "airing the rear tires down". The placard calls for 80psi all the time. But I don't mind the ride. I only notice how stiff it is when I'm on a really bad road or when I'm going over a speed bump. I would not hesitate to use it as my daily driver.

[AH64ID]

The single biggest way to help the ride of a 1ton, as mentioned, is running the tires at the proper pressure for the load. When I was running 17" LRE tires that was 60/40 empty and 70/80 loaded. 70/80 empty caused uneven rear tire wear and a harsh ride.

[Bedlam]

KD4UPL wrote:
Not to start a brand war but if ride quality is a big consideration you might test drive a GM 3500. In my experience the ride is much nicer than the comparable Ford products.

X2 - The GM trucks ride softer than my Ford or friend's Ram.

Choice of seats might make a difference in what your bottom feels...

[MFL]

I think you will be surprised how good the 350 rides, when you try it out. My 250 has factory ordered HD service suspension. It has heavier front coils, and 4 leaf rear springs.

On the door panel it says 75#s in front tires, 80#s in rear, which is what I run, most of the time. It is not a daily driver, but used for towing several trailers.

I think it rides and handles great! When you go over rough RR tracks or a big pot hole, not so good. Most cases, it will ride better than you think.

Jerry