Air ride seats?

[dpotter]

My wife hates riding in my 3500, even when towing the rv. Anyone found a cushion, pad, replacement seat that would soften the ride. I'd even be willing to install an air ride seat to fix the problem. She's wanting me to sell it and get a 2500 that she thinks will ride better. She doesn't remember the last 3 2500's that ride like trucks. Really like this truck and don't want to trade to a 2500 since it won't fix the problem.

 

[AH64ID]

What are you running the tire pressure at? Do you know your axle weights?

Any chance you have airbags on it?

I don't think the 2500 will ride enough better to warrant the swap, unless you get one with the auto-level air suspension... or a 3500 with auto-level.

 

[Ltngdrvr]

2500 will definitely ride better, at least the current ones with coil springs do, but who knows if that would be enough to appease your wife. Take her to a dealer for a test ride in one.
You could put an air ride seat in, they make them that are self-contained, with a manual air pump where you just pump a lever to add air. Of course they aren't cheap and won't match the rest of the seats in the truck.

 

[Whitewolf]

You didn't state what you're towing but keep in mind the payload. 2500 vs 3500. My 5r has a tongue weight of around 2500 loaded. I wouldn't do that with a 2500 as it would be near the limit. I run 60psi all around when not towing.

 

[dpotter]

I was running 70 psi cold. My trailer only weighs 5600 lbs. with stock rear leaf springs. The truck does ride better with more weight in the bed as it has a 12,300 gvwr. Ltngdrvr, do you know the name brand on the air seat you mentioned?

 

[AH64ID]

I was running 70 psi cold. My trailer only weighs 5600 lbs. with stock rear leaf springs. The truck does ride better with more weight in the bed as it has a 12,300 gvwr. Ltngdrvr, do you know the name brand on the air seat you mentioned?

That’s likely too much air.

I only run 65 psi towing my 10K 5th wheel and 35 psi empty in my rears. 60 empty and 65 towing up front.

Find a scale next time you’re towing and weigh your rear axle and then adjust the pressure based on the load and inflation tables. It should make a huge difference.

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

 

[Ozymandias]

National air seats

 

[dpotter]

Thanks for the info on seats and tire pressure. I will definitely try different pressures for ride quality.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Know your weights and use weight/inflation chart for your tires.

 

[dpotter]

Definitely going to try this.

 

[Jim W]

Like John stated know your axle loads when towing.
I am only running 70PSI in my rear tires and 55PSI in the front tires. My tires are 126R rated so, the tire inflation/loading tables are different for me, The air bags are set to 50PSI and the truck rides nice when my 5er is attached. When I am not towing the rears tires are deflated to 55PSI and the air bags are set at 10PSI.
good luck!

 

[HVAC2]

I was running 70 psi cold. My trailer only weighs 5600 lbs. with stock rear leaf springs. The truck does ride better with more weight in the bed as it has a 12,300 gvwr. Ltngdrvr, do you know the name brand on the air seat you mentioned?

I just came from a full air ride 1500 ED. It was the smoothest vehicle ever. At 5600 lb tow that is right in the zone for half ton. No comparison to our 2018 Laramie 2500.

 

[CToney]

Sulastic shackles help with 3500 leaf spring ride.

 

[dpotter]

Lowered tire pressure, not sure how much difference it made. Am going to try the Sulastic shackles as all the info I see says it makes a difference. I'll post after the wife rides again. Thanks for all the info, makes the $35 a year seem too cheap.