Ways to adjust ride on 3500??

[TERRA]

Just took delivery of my 1st HD pickup 2 days ago. It is a Big Horn CC 6.5 box Cummins Aisin 3,42 rear with auto level. .I expect to eventually load it with a 3.5 -4,000 lb slide in but right now it is unloaded. I may add a 3oolb cap when not using the slide in. What can I do to improve the ride when the vehicle is NOT, REPREAT NOT **, hauling the slide in. I understand dropping the tire pressure will help (suggestions for no load front and rear tire psi please) but is there anything else I can do. Thanks in advance. ** Edited 3/7 added not

 

[SnoKing]

Just took delivery of my 1st HD pickup 2 days ago. It is a Big Horn CC 6.5 box Cummins Aisin 3,42 rear with auto level. .I expect to eventually load it with a 3.5 -4,000 lb slide in but right now it is unloaded. I may add a 3oolb cap when not using the slide in. What can I do to improve the ride when the vehicle is hauling the slide in. I understand dropping the tire pressure will help (suggestions for no load front and rear tire psi please) but is there anything else I can do. Thanks in advance.

3.5-4,000 on a short box SRW? Help is maybe go trade it in on a duallie long bed. Did the selling dealer know your plans for a 3.5-4K slide in camper when he/she sold you the truck? SNOKING

 

[TERRA]

Snorking - you and I discussed this issue of the SRW on a slide in several weeks ago. You made your position clear at that time The above posted question has nothing to do with SRW verses DRW load capacity, rather it is asking for suggestions on how to make the ride on my 2017 Ram 3500 more comfortable while it is carrying NO LOAD ( I edited my above post to make it clear.) In fact, I have been lead to believe that a dually rides worse than a SRW and if that's the case my wife would never step foot in the cab of a DRW. I will be dropping my tire pressures down to around 45psi on all tires. Is there any thing else that can be done to help lessen the impact of the bouncing such as maybe different shocks, adjusting (if possible) the auto level rear air suspension, adding weight to the bed. A 250lb cap has been ordered but should I add some more weight and if so how much.

 

[Beast2B]

I would suggest keeping the fronts around 60psi since the load won't vary much (and the Cummins ain't light!). Rears around 40-45 unloaded. I believe the rears are 95% of the bounce and jounce (feel the difference front to rear going over a speed bump?). I mainly go by the tire tread pattern when deciding on air pressures, keeping them as flat as possible. At 60psi, I bet your rears have a nice stripe on the edges where they don't touch the ground. just my opinion and always a subjective discussion!

 

[KCJackson1]

Whether it has 2 rear tires or 4, it's still a 3500 with a heavy-duty leaf pack, so it's never going to ride like a luxury sedan. It's also not going to get much "softer" without compromising its designed capabilities... something you don't want to do especially when you're going to max it out with the slide-in on a regular basis. Airing down will help a little. Unless you want to go to adjustable shocks like Rancho 9000s, I would not change the shocks because you'll regret it when the slide-in is over your shoulder. And 9000s on their lowest setting won't ride any softer than OEM, according to Rancho. From what I understand, the factory air springs (and remember, they're supplemental on the 3500, not primary like the 1500 and 2500) is not something that can be adjusted because its primary purpose is to promote leveling and stability - the leaves still handle the weight. It's too late now, but your better bet would have been to order a 3500 without the factory air, then go with a full-replacement aftermarket air system for the rear axle which you could easily set for the load variations. There's really not much you can safely do and still have the truck in proper condition for the slide-in.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I run my dually in aLT ride always! *I run my front tires at 80 always! *I run the rears at 30-35 empty. *I know you don't have a Dually but know your weights and use the weight/inflation chart. *

 

[TERRA]

Thanks all for your recommendations and suggestions. I'll keep them in mind and see what works best.