Do all HD pickups ride rough?

[bigtiller]

My buddy and I each had new 1988 chevy trucks. Mine was 3/4T and his was 1/2T.

On the same road to work...
The 3/4T bounced us up & down.
The 1/2T rocked us side to side.

 

[mike69440]

Ford Tremor package HD packages, Chevy long wheelbase, and Rams with air springs are tolerable for ride. Everything else HD is very stiff.

 

[RandyT]

Just going from load rance 6ply to load range E 10 ply can make a 1/2 ton go from a soft ride to more 3/4 ton feel even while maintaining the lower 6 ply air pressure in the 10 ply tires.

 

[mikester]

Remember the good old days when pickup trucks had only a single bench seat, a lap belt, and you needed a kidney belt while riding in the cab with your window hand cranked all the way down for air conditioning?

The new GM trucks are like princess palaces with ultra-bright LED headlights designed to blind oncoming drivers and cure your UV nail polish in seconds flat.

 

[Tomtint]

I have 2 F450s .. One is a dump truck 4x4 9' body V10 gas.. If I run over a dime I can tell you what year it was made.. My other F450 is a 2021 Limited diesel crew cab 4x4.. That truck rides better than any big truck I have owned. Super super nice.

 

[Hay Dude]

“ride” or the comfort of a vehicle is too subjective to different expectations to suggest a brand. Length from the front axle to the rear axle is a big factor in ride quality.
If I get in my Ram 5500 and drive home after a long day in a farm tractor, my Ram feels like a luxury car.
Conversely, if I drove around in a Lincoln Town Car all day, then drive my Ram 5500, the ride would feel more rough.
My Ram rides fine for a truck that can tow 18 tons. And that’s all I really care about.
But I do crack up at those who think one brand has a distinctly better ride than the other. Especially when you know these trucks are about 95% the same frame, axles, springs, suspensions, shocks, etc with a slightly different sheet metal body and a different brand badge slapped on the side.
One exception could be IFS trucks. They rode smoother on the front axle than SFA trucks.

 

[Tomtint]

The tundra is a half ton. 3/4 ton trucks are always going to ride worst than 1/2 tons.

We also have a 24 Tundra crew cab 4x4 Limited with a 6.5' bed. Its our work truck and has a Leer cap, and probably 500 pounds in the rear.. It rides pretty nice. Its a light truck with firm suspension..so there is a lot of road feel in the steering wheel .. I also have a 23 Raptor 150.. the driving experience is completely different.. The Ford feels much more substantial on the road.. But heavier and more "floaty".. Very little feedback in the steering wheel. And much more plush over bumps. ..Heavy truck/ soft suspension feel

 

[Hay Dude]

I have 2 F450s .. One is a dump truck 4x4 9' body V10 gas.. If I run over a dime I can tell you what year it was made.. My other F450 is a 2021 Limited diesel crew cab 4x4.. That truck rides better than any big truck I have owned. Super super nice.

I bet the distance between the axles and the quality of the seats accounts for 90% of the ride quality differences between equal GVWR’s
The lesser springs and softer tires make 1/2 tons ride better than 1 tons

 

[Rvrrat14]

Tires and tire pressure makes a difference for sure. I run my 24 2500HD with 60 in front and 65 in rear and get a smoother ride locally. Trips/hauling I’ll put them where GM says, and yes, They’re stiff.

 

[Topzide]

Tire pressure is the key to what and how you're using your truck.

I have a 2014 3500 RAM diesel LB DRW. Unloaded, I run 55 in front and 50 in the rears. This makes for a very smooth ride.

Look at load charts for your tires. Sometimes, you don't need max pressure for the load you're carrying.

The short wheelbase does affect the ride quality. You'll need to play around with the tire pressures for what you like. May need a programmer to adjust the TPMS lights and sounds.

4x4 is standard in my household, as I'm 1/4 mile off county road, and roads can be iffy with snowfalls!

 

[mike69440]

Our driveway is 1/4 mile long at end a 1/2 mile dirt road no better than my drive. 6 of 7 of our road vehicles are all wheel/4wd as are all the other equipment.
There is 2wd stuck, 4wd stuck, and excavator stuck. Been almost excavator stuck a few times. Actually been excavator stuck once to the tune of a $1,500 recovery. Ouch!

 

[WM75Guy]

My 2024 GMC 3500HD Denali specs 75 PSI front/70 PSI rear. It rides OK until you hit a bump like where the bridge and road meet. If unloaded it bounces pretty hard, loaded not so bad. But I bought it to tow with, not for the ride. For that I got the 2024 Yukon Denali. That is a smooth ride, better than my wife's 2024 Cadillac XT6.

 

[not2old]

My 1990 F250HD came with tires rated for 80PSI. I immediately replaced them with tires rated for 50PSI that met the load requirements. It was hard to believe it was the same truck, it rode so much nicer. My 2024 F350 is parked for the winter and I haven't had it long enough to play with tire pressures yet but will also consider replacing the tires as I may not live long enough to wear them out.

 

[D&D]

That’s a cool idea, but kinds expensive, but if it includes an air compressor that’s a bit of a plus for airing up tires etc.

The one for my 3500 was a tad over 12k. I cheated and found a wrecked ambulance and bought the whole package for 3500. I kept the air ride stuff for my truck and parted out the rest. Upgraded to an ARB compressor and can now run a 1/2” impact gun.

 

[mike69440]

Just going from load rance 6ply to load range E 10 ply can make a 1/2 ton go from a soft ride to more 3/4 ton feel even while maintaining the lower 6 ply air pressure in the 10 ply tires.

I have e rated tires and air springs on my 2012 Titan. Rides more or less like stock with 45 psi in the Wild peaks and 5-10 psi in the air bags. I added Blisten shocks. Tow a 7500 LB camper. It does fine but, ideally a 3/4 ton would be better.

 

[Tomtint]

I bet the distance between the axles and the quality of the seats accounts for 90% of the ride quality differences between equal GVWR’s
The lesser springs and softer tires make 1/2 tons ride better than 1 tons

No doubt.. The Limited 450.. is school bus long so that helps. Also as you mentioned, the seats themselves are incredibly comfortable

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

All depends on what you're used to I guess.

When I went from my 74 Dodge 3/4 ton 4x4 "camper special", to my 2012 Ford F-250 4x4 (gas engine), I couldn't believe the difference in the ride. The Ford drives like a Lincoln Towncar compared to my old Dodge. I keep load range E tires on my Ford, and they are normally aired up to rated pressure. But I need a truck. For "truck things". If I wanted a Lincoln Towncar, I would have bought one.

I bought my Ford new in 2012, still have it, still think it drives like a Towncar.

 

[Tomtint]

All depends on what you're used to I guess.

When I went from my 74 Dodge 3/4 ton 4x4 "camper special", to my 2012 Ford F-250 4x4 (gas engine), I couldn't believe the difference in the ride. The Ford drives like a Lincoln Towncar compared to my old Dodge. I keep load range E tires on my Ford, and they are normally aired up to rated pressure. But I need a truck. For "truck things". If I wanted a Lincoln Towncar, I would have bought one.

I bought my Ford new in 2012, still have it, still think it drives like a Towncar.

I had a 2015 4x4 F350 crew cab Platinum gas 6.2 That was a really nice truck. The 6.2 is a great power plant

 

[mike69440]

Wow, I don’t think I would like to have an F250. I have an F150 and the ride is so silky, that it rides much better than my wife’s 4runner.

Up to 2018, Ford HD F150 payload package used to be available on trims up to the Lariat and in std. & crew cab with 6.5 bed. Sadly no longer available except by special order in base work truck.
Also just try to find an F150 in dealer stock with the max trailer package. You would be more successful hunting unicorns.

 

[dstig1]

My '05 F250 beat the snot out of me empty. Loaded was much more manageable. I hated driving it for that reason. Finally sold it and got a Ranger a year and a half ago and it is tons better. I really didn't need the capacity of the big truck anymore, but still needed a truck somewhat. Stuck with the supercab to get the 6' bed as I could not stomach a 5' bed after having an 8-footer on the F250.