Suspension and Ride Quality

[Cliffman]

2020 Crew Cab 3500 Dually. Looking to improve the ride quality. We live in an area with rough roads and the ride is pretty rough. What options are out there and those who have made suspension mods how do you rate them. Cheers!

 

[Regen]

https://www.sulastic.com/en/sulastic-shackles

Seen good review on these from Big Truck Big RV on you tube.
May eventually put these in my 1 ton, but it will spend
Most of its time toting the 5th wheel.

 

[Ozymandias]

Lower the tire pressure - 65/45 F-R according to the inflatation chart of the tire manufacturer and the given weight.

 

[Cummins12V98]

If it’s 4wd 80 front always. Unloaded 30 psi rears. I have over 65k on my Michelins. First thing people say “this rides nice for a dually”.

You can run less air in the fronts but you will wear out the outer edges.

 

[Cliffman]

https://www.sulastic.com/en/sulastic-shackles

Seen good review on these from Big Truck Big RV on you tube.
May eventually put these in my 1 ton, but it will spend
Most of its time toting the 5th wheel.

Curious as the what size and weight 5er you are pulling.

 

[Cummins12V98]

65,600 miles. My 5er is 24k with 6k pin towing 1/2 the miles. I will have just over 67k when I get back to WA in a couple weeks and same tires will go on then. Probably be right on the wear tabs.

 

[Cummins12V98]

If you have not done so get your alignment done to 1/64” toe.

 

[odinjunior]

I'm running 50Lbs front and rear. Still tells me about every bump in the road.

 

[Cliffman]

65,600 miles. My 5er is 24k with 6k pin towing 1/2 the miles. I will have just over 67k when I get back to WA in a couple weeks and same tires will go on then. Probably be right on the wear tabs.

View attachment 136997

View attachment 136996

I just picked up a 2022 DRV Houston. I've been pulling 5er's for 35 years. what I've noticed is the heaver you 5er is the worst the ride. I have the Hensley Trailer Saver Air Ride hitch with the Morryde anti-bucking and chucking on the pin box and still getting a crappy ride.

 

[Ozymandias]

I'm running 50Lbs front and rear. Still tells me about every bump in the road.

It will always be Truck and drive like a Truck.

Can't make a Quarter horse out of a Mule.

 

[odinjunior]

It will always be Truck and drive like a Truck.

Can't make a Quarter horse out of a Mule.

Yeah, I get it. I laugh when someone replies to drop tire pressure for a better ride.

 

[Regen]

Curious as the what size and weight 5er you are pulling.

When we pick it up it will be 42’ and 17k+ loaded out.
Pulling it with this

 

[Ozymandias]

Yeah, I get it. I laugh when someone replies to drop tire pressure for a better ride.

You'd wonder how many drive with max pressure all the time, strictly following the door label.
Which gives that nice ball bearing ride quality.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I just picked up a 2022 DRV Houston. I've been pulling 5er's for 35 years. what I've noticed is the heaver you 5er is the worst the ride. I have the Hensley Trailer Saver Air Ride hitch with the Morryde anti-bucking and chucking on the pin box and still getting a crappy ride.

My combo rides like a dream in all conditions. Factory rear air, B&W 25k solid hitch and Trail Air airbag pin box.

You need to go to Bilstien's and add air bags but only fill to around 30psi loaded. You will thank me!!!

What pressures are you running on the truck loaded?

 

[Cummins12V98]

It will always be Truck and drive like a Truck.

Can't make a Quarter horse out of a Mule.

I need to take you for a ride loaded.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Yeah, I get it. I laugh when someone replies to drop tire pressure for a better ride.

Same thing but lower pressures to what the load/inflation chart dictate. Most people have too little air in the fronts and too much in the rears.

 

[Wiredawg]

I don't think I saw this mentioned in this thread, but sometimes you just have to slow down on rough roads. Over the past 22 years, I have about 150K+ miles spread across 5 RVs including present MH and there are some pretty terrible roads out there that I had/have to slow down no matter what. You can install air ride, change shocks, and adjust tire pressures that achieve pretty good ride, but there is a limit that those help.

Please keep us posted on what you do, if anything and the results.

 

[slowmover]

I don't think I saw this mentioned in this thread, but sometimes you just have to slow down on rough roads. Over the past 22 years, I have about 150K+ miles spread across 5 RVs including present MH and there are some pretty terrible roads out there that I had/have to slow down no matter what. You can install air ride, change shocks, and adjust tire pressures that achieve pretty good ride, but there is a limit that those help.

Please keep us posted on what you do, if anything and the results.

Four layers of “Air Ride” (tires included) at drivers seat in KW. And you sure as hell have to slow for some roads.

Why is it what our fathers instinctively knew is news?

.

 

[AH64ID]

Yeah, I get it. I laugh when someone replies to drop tire pressure for a better ride.

Then why not air up to 60/80 and forget about it… I mean if it doesn’t make a difference

In reality there is a huge difference in ride quality at the proper pressure for the load. 50 rear is still too much empty, and barely enough up front for anything in the cab on stock sized tires.

Over the last 2 months I’ve had rental 1500’s from the big 3. I’ll take the ride in my 3500 any day over them, it’s much better. I’d have a very different opinion if I ran door jam pressures empty thou.

 

[Cummins12V98]

My Son has aTRX HellCat. I like the ride snd handrling of my DRW much better.

I have it admit the TRX is fun when you touch the go pedal.