2020 3500 srw unloaded ride

[larryq]

Ok, no flames please, but is there a way to tame an unloaded 3500 srw ride?

I had a 98.5 and put bilstiens on, and it didn’t help a whole lot.

While the 2020 is light years ahead in suspension, id like to not shake out a filling when going over a crack in the tarmac!

Bought what may be my last new truck.

Bought a 2020 limited 3500 srw HO.

Always regretted buying an SLT or a Laramie, when I tried to save some $$.

Not this time.

I would just like to tame the suspension as my back isn’t getting better with age.

Thanks
L

 

[Tuesdak]

Run about 45 PSI in the rear unloaded. Weigh the truck with a full fuel tank to be sure what PSI you need from the tire load chart.

20” tires? Consider more sidewall of 18’s.

Biggest ride improvement for me was taking off the Firestone tires and putting Cooper AT3’s on.

 

[AH64ID]

What are you running for tire pressure?

I run 55/35 unloaded in my 3500 SRW and it rides awesome.

I’ve ran 20’s and 18’s on it and honestly can’t tell a difference unloaded at the proper tire pressure for the load.

 

[Cummins12V98]

60 front and 30 rears. Only other thing to get a better ride is having the Factory Rear Air and run it in ALT Ride Mode.

 

[CToney]

I had the same problem. Tires were over inflated from factory. Haul a few loads and it will soften up a wee bit. I added Sulastic Shackles to my truck as well. A lot better ride now as well.

 

[AH64ID]

60 front and 30 rears. Only other thing to get a better ride is having the Factory Rear Air and run it in ALT Ride Mode.

Depending on the payload ALT will not give a better ride, but it may improve handling.

If my truck is right on the threshold of going into ALT (750ish lbs payload) the ride is always better in NORM, but it handles high speed corners (such as I-84 from Ontario to Pendleton) better so I’ll sometimes run it, but NORM still rides better.

It takes 1500+ lbs of payload for ALT to ride better for me. It doesn’t ever ride bad, just not better.

Below 500lbs and they ride the same as the bags have min air pressure in them and it won’t drop onto the lower springs even in ALT.

 

[odinjunior]

30 Lbs in the rear tires? I've been afraid to go that low... I've been running mine at 60 with my tool boxes at the rear. I just accepted that a 1 Ton 4WD was gonna ride rough.

Interesting comment on the 20 inch sidewalls. I have been watching C/L for a set to make the truck look better. I definitely don't need to add any more stiffness...

 

[AH64ID]

Use the load/inflation tables to determine the proper pressure. That pressure will give the best ride and performance.

35 psi, min recommended for normal use by the tire mfgrs, is enough for a RAW of 4,140.

60 psi is enough for a RAW of 6040lbs, and what I often use for towing my 5th wheel.

I will run as low as 25 in the rear depending on time of year (winter) or road style (hundreds of FS road miles at 10-15 mph), but typically don’t go below 35.

50 is all that’s needed up front for my empty FAW, but I like 5 psi extra when empty up front for steering purposes. I’ll go as high as 65 up front depending on GVW.

https://www.toyotires.com/media/3729/application_of_load_inflation_tables_20200723.pdf

As mentioned I haven’t noticed a worse ride with the 20’s over the 18’s at the proper pressure, and they seem to also handle the load a little better when heavy.

 

[kthaxton]

60 front and 40 rear unloaded on mine.

No shock will soften a stiff spring. A shock controls the spring's movement but can't soften it.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Common sense tells me with ALT there is less pressure in the bags with it setting lower making for a slightly better ride.

 

[AH64ID]

Common sense tells me with ALT there is less pressure in the bags with it setting lower making for a slightly better ride.

Lots more going on than just airbag pressure. Yes less pressure, but you’re now resting on additional springs that are MUCH stiffer than the main leafs, so the common sense goes to a little pressure in the bags to keep you off the stiffer springs. Better ride in norm comes from that. You have to look at the entire suspension, not just the airbag pressure.

That’s how it was designed, and it works very well. Better ride in norm under light load, better handling in ALT when loaded.

 

[Cummins12V98]

OH well I like the more level look, ease of entry/exit and this sucker corners better then my 19 Grand Cherokee.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I added a fiberglass camper shell; any added weight in the bed will help.

 

[larryq]

True Dat, but with fuel prices the way they are, I don’t want to load anything that doesn’t need to be in the truck.

my issue with
Lowering rear pressure is added fuel consumption.

it’s all a balancing act.
I can certainly let some pressure out of the rears, but how low to go without throwing a tpms error/warning?

 

[lpennock]

3500 should not throw a TPMS error (unless the 2020 is different than the 18 which I don't think it is). The 3500 is actually a TP Infomation rather than monitoring.

The factory door jam tire pressures are set for the axle GVWR which is way to high for an unloaded truck. Dropping the pressure to the correct pressure for load won't reduce your mileage but will improve your ride and handling.

 

[AH64ID]

True Dat, but with fuel prices the way they are, I don’t want to load anything that doesn’t need to be in the truck.

my issue with
Lowering rear pressure is added fuel consumption.

it’s all a balancing act.
I can certainly let some pressure out of the rears, but how low to go without throwing a tpms error/warning?

Proper pressure will have minimal impact on fuel economy, probably not enough to notice and worth it for the ride improvements.

TPIS, on all 3500’s, doesn’t have warnings at any pressure. I’ve ran down to 25 psi and no lights, which is handy but you also have to realize you won’t get a ding and a notification from a leak like 2500’s will.

 

[jacknife]

60 front and 30 rears. Only other thing to get a better ride is having the Factory Rear Air and run it in ALT Ride Mode.

I have a 20 with factory air . when unhooked mine will not go into alt ride mode until it feels the weight of the trailer. .

 

[AH64ID]

I have a 20 with factory air . when unhooked mine will not go into alt ride mode until it feels the weight of the trailer. .

That’s normal, it takes between 500-750lbs of payload for mine to go into ALT.

 

[Topzide]

My mileage doesn't change as my aux tank gets lower. As long as it's not a wind drag, a few hundred pounds up to 1/2 ton doesn't bother these trucks. They're designed to haul payloads! And yes, ride is better the more fuel in the aux tank!

 

[SnoKing]

True Dat, but with fuel prices the way they are, I don’t want to load anything that doesn’t need to be in the truck.

my issue with
Lowering rear pressure is added fuel consumption.

it’s all a balancing act.
I can certainly let some pressure out of the rears, but how low to go without throwing a tpms error/warning?

Yeah with the rears over inflated, the lack of handling and rough ride will force one to slow down, saving fuel. I ran 60 or 65 (can't remember, what ever the door sticker said) all the in the fronts. And lowered the rears to 40-42 to improve ride and handling. My 2001.5 Std Cab 4x4 was almost dangerous to drive with 80 in the rears empty. Felt like the rear was on marbles.