Seat Comfort

[Salty_Dog]

Definitely don't want to start my truck is better than your truck post.

Beginning to look at 2022/2023 dually F350 or F450 and the GM 3500. Long box, 4x4, diesels in Lariat or King Ranch and High Country/Denali trim levels. On some forum (can't remember which) someone mentioned the newer Ford seats were less comfortable. Does anyone has experience with these two trucks - especially the newer models? There are not many trucks that fit this criteria for us to drive in our area - long trips to get to them.

An FYI - while I am A GM guy, the larger fuel tank on the Ford may change my mind and I know I could replace the OEM tank, add a tank, etc. Not really interested in having to do that.

Thanks in advance, Mike

[Thermoguy]

I have a 2106 Ford Explorer - and as someone else described they are horrible and most of my drives are all day long. Can't stand it but it's a company vehicle so I'm stuck with it. I looked at newer vehicles from Ford and found they use the same seat, or similar in different vehicles. The F-150's had a similar seat but looked better or larger, the problem with the Explorer, they are too short. I also noticed that if they have massaging seats, they tend to be less comfortable - or harder. Leather seats are harder than cloth, and can be less comfortable especially in a long drive. My personal Vehicle, a 2105 Chev HD, has a more comfortable seat than the Ford, but it is larger and doesn't have the massage feature. I would stay away from that if you can. I do also think HD seats are better than the smaller vehicles that make seats for smaller people. So, my take, if the seat is especially hard when new, it will only get more and more uncomfortable.

[Cummins12V98]

Our friends always drove KingRanch Fords. We went to dinner and they rode with and they commented many times how comfortable the seats were in my 11 HO LongHorn. I can tell you my 15 LH leather is even nicer.

Drove straight thru from SoCal to DFW, TX with three 2 hour naps and never left the truck except for fuel and food.. Around 33 hours later I honestly felt just fine!

Now my 98 2500 RAM it was good for about 2-3 hours and then I had to do some walking.

[Grit_dog]

ACZL wrote:
I've found over the years that leather seats are more comfy (IMO) than cloth. Never had massaging seats so cannot comment on them. Heated seats, yes and a must. All that being said, We had a '88 F250 Lariat w/ captains chairs (cloth) and loved them. Next was a '91 GMC 2500HD and we switched out the factory ones w/ cloth as that's what the pkg was and again found them to be quite comfy. Moving forward still, was a '97 Chevy K1500 w/ leather (don't recall if heated tho) and they were very comfy. At this point '03, we entered into the foray of the super/heavy duty market and got a '03 F250 Lariat w/ leather (heated) and found them to be quite comfy overall. Bought a '15 F350 XLT w/ cloth in late '14 and seats were ok overall. New RV in '17 forced us into the DRW arena, so got a '17 F350 DRW XLT w/ cloth, but added heat via aftermarket to them as we figured we'd have this truck for sometime now. Again, like the '15 they are ok, but I really don't have a prob being comfy on long trips. I've actually been more uncomfy not being able to place my elbows on anything really closer top the seat to rest. So asked here on got a couple suggestions for products to get and DID help a lot. That being said, again, IMO, if given a choice overall, would opt for leather as for some reason they just seem to be more comfy overall. Am only 5'7" and couple hundred pounds, plus being a semi driver, used to long seat rides anyways. Last 2 trucks were off the lot purchases.

Kinda long winded, but that's my take on seats, but agree w/ many replies thus far that you'd be best to try all mfr seats to see what you like best. Side note here as well, as we did this back in '03 when we were looking for crew cabs to see which one we felt was the best fit/room (and car seat) for us. Compared Ford/GM and the Ford won.

If ya bought an 03 Powerstroke for the seats and back seat room, that was probably a wise choice. Sooo much more comfortable waiting for the tow truck when you were broke down!

[ACZL]

I've found over the years that leather seats are more comfy (IMO) than cloth. Never had massaging seats so cannot comment on them. Heated seats, yes and a must. All that being said, We had a '88 F250 Lariat w/ captains chairs (cloth) and loved them. Next was a '91 GMC 2500HD and we switched out the factory ones w/ cloth as that's what the pkg was and again found them to be quite comfy. Moving forward still, was a '97 Chevy K1500 w/ leather (don't recall if heated tho) and they were very comfy. At this point '03, we entered into the foray of the super/heavy duty market and got a '03 F250 Lariat w/ leather (heated) and found them to be quite comfy overall. Bought a '15 F350 XLT w/ cloth in late '14 and seats were ok overall. New RV in '17 forced us into the DRW arena, so got a '17 F350 DRW XLT w/ cloth, but added heat via aftermarket to them as we figured we'd have this truck for sometime now. Again, like the '15 they are ok, but I really don't have a prob being comfy on long trips. I've actually been more uncomfy not being able to place my elbows on anything really closer top the seat to rest. So asked here on got a couple suggestions for products to get and DID help a lot. That being said, again, IMO, if given a choice overall, would opt for leather as for some reason they just seem to be more comfy overall. Am only 5'7" and couple hundred pounds, plus being a semi driver, used to long seat rides anyways. Last 2 trucks were off the lot purchases.

Kinda long winded, but that's my take on seats, but agree w/ many replies thus far that you'd be best to try all mfr seats to see what you like best. Side note here as well, as we did this back in '03 when we were looking for crew cabs to see which one we felt was the best fit/room (and car seat) for us. Compared Ford/GM and the Ford won.

[rhagfo]

FishOnOne wrote:

Salty Dog wrote:
Definitely don't want to start my truck is better than your truck post.

Beginning to look at 2022/2023 dually F350 or F450 and the GM 3500. Long box, 4x4, diesels in Lariat or King Ranch and High Country/Denali trim levels. On some forum (can't remember which) someone mentioned the newer Ford seats were less comfortable. Does anyone has experience with these two trucks - especially the newer models? There are not many trucks that fit this criteria for us to drive in our area - long trips to get to them.

An FYI - while I am A GM guy, the larger fuel tank on the Ford may change my mind and I know I could replace the OEM tank, add a tank, etc. Not really interested in having to do that.

Thanks in advance, Mike

The King Ranch and Platinum trucks have massaging seats as well.

Cummins12V98 wrote:
That sounds dangerous.

X2 to that!
our heated seats are relaxing enough, without the "magic Fingers" giving a massage while driving down the road, likely be asleep in ten minutes!!
I will say might be a nice feature on long drives.

[packpe89]

I agree with the only you can determine that. While a larger tank is nice, I know I'll want to get out and walk every 2-3 hours, so with an HD (Diesel I'm guessing), I can always do that at a truck stop if I need. Having had all 3 brands recently, I found the Ram sits the best for me. The new Chevy (only tried custom 1/2 ton), seats were too narrow and my F-150 were a little too long. But as others also said different trims will have different seats.

[way2roll]

Trim package makes a big difference as does your personal fit. You're the only one who can sit in a few and say if it's comfortable or not. The longest I have been in my 2020 F250 at a time was 8 hours. I still found the seat pretty comfortable.

[dodge_guy]

Anyone have he ability to do a 6 hour straight test drive? That’s the only way to find out. My 13 Explorer Limited is OK for an hour or so, but 2 hours or more it’s unbearable! Thankfully it rarely gets driven longer than an hour.

[Cummins12V98]

That sounds dangerous.

[FishOnOne]

Salty Dog wrote:
Definitely don't want to start my truck is better than your truck post.

Beginning to look at 2022/2023 dually F350 or F450 and the GM 3500. Long box, 4x4, diesels in Lariat or King Ranch and High Country/Denali trim levels. On some forum (can't remember which) someone mentioned the newer Ford seats were less comfortable. Does anyone has experience with these two trucks - especially the newer models? There are not many trucks that fit this criteria for us to drive in our area - long trips to get to them.

An FYI - while I am A GM guy, the larger fuel tank on the Ford may change my mind and I know I could replace the OEM tank, add a tank, etc. Not really interested in having to do that.

Thanks in advance, Mike

The King Ranch and Platinum trucks have massaging seats as well.

[rhagfo]

Sorry you are not looking at Ram, the seats in our Laramie are very comfortable. Leather, heated, cooled, driver's 10 way power passenger 6 way power.
I would suggest you take a drive in all three and let your bum decide.

[blt2ski]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Only your BUTT can resolve this question.

The ONLY correct answer you will know is correct.
Unlike grit, also 6', I don't have issues with GM seats. This frod transit I'm sitting in, waiting for a ferry to Seattle. This is totally uncomfortable.

Your wife butt will also let you know whats prefetred too.

Marty

[Cummins12V98]

Only your BUTT can resolve this question.

[Grit_dog]

I’m average height 6’ and not really a seat connessuer, if it’s not lumpy and the springs ain’t broke it’s generally good enough for me.
But having had a few new GMs in the last several years, their truck seats (cloth and leather but same size and shape) have abnormally short seat bottoms, in my opinion.
For a long trip, I’d take the 90k mile cloth seat on top of a rough suspension in the brodozer over the leather seat in my new Silverado 1/2 ton.

Personally I’d buy a GM truck no problem, seats aside, but the GM truck seat bottoms are definitely less comfortable than any Ford or Dodge truck I’ve had over the last 20? Years. Caveat I have not been in any 2017-up super duty’s or 2015-up F150s.