Do all HD pickups ride rough?

[TMGT]

The Superduty's were leaf spring in the front up until like 2004 or 5. Mine was an '05 and had coils. Supposedly much better turning radius but I never drove an older one to compare.

They went to a wider front axle with a better turning radius, can't remember if it was at the same time they went to coils or not. If it has flares on the front fenders, it has the wider front axle.

 

[4570Man]

They went to a wider front axle with a better turning radius, can't remember if it was at the same time they went to coils or not. If it has flares on the front fenders, it has the wider front axle.

I think that’s a 450-550 thing. I don’t think the pickup trucks ever had the wide axle.

 

[TMGT]

I think that’s a 450-550 thing. I don’t think the pickup trucks ever had the wide axle.

They didn't, sorry thought we were still talking about the 550's.

 

[4570Man]

They didn't, sorry thought we were still talking about the 550's.

Dads 550 has the flares and it turns pretty sharp especially for a 12ft bed truck.

 

[ultrarunner]

Rode in a friend's new F350 before the utility body installed and it was rough.

After the utility body installed and filled the ride was like night and day.

It could be heavy duty is designed with load in mind?

 

[TMGT]

Dads 550 has the flares and it turns pretty sharp especially for a 12ft bed truck.

I think those axles were about 3in wider and could turn close to 45°, way better than the earlier models.

 

[4570Man]

I think those axles were about 3in wider and could turn close to 45°, way better than the earlier models.

I was thinking Ford advertised 50 degree wheel cut but I could be wrong.

 

[TMGT]

I was thinking Ford advertised 50 degree wheel cut but I could be wrong.

It could be 50, I remember it was at least close to 45° but it's been years since I looked into it. I sold my 550 about 15yrs ago.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Back in 1972, me and two other guys bought new 3/4 ton trucks. A Ford, a Dodge and I chose an IH. Now the IH had helper springs in the form of a second spring pack. Unloaded, there was about an inch between the spring and the hanger. Hitting a bump unloaded, it would launch you. Kind of like the old Reyco's.

That Dodge though was so bad that the tailgate eventually fell off.

Oh, we also had a "showdown", hooking up a chain between the trucks to see who could pull whom. That was pretty much a draw. I did come out the winner going up a ~45degree hill and cresting the top. The Ford and the Dodge got hung up at the crest.

 

[deserteagle71]

I think that’s a 450-550 thing. I don’t think the pickup trucks ever had the wide axle.

That wide axle was an option for the F350 at one time. No idea if you can still specify it these days.

 

[Hay Dude]

The 2008 550 I had had excellent turning radius. Better than my current ‘20 Ram.

 

[TMGT]

I'm thinking about getting an older F650, best of both worlds. Cummins, Allison, good turning radius, air ride. Just hard to justify the added cost of driving a commercial vehicle.

 

[Bearsixty7]

That wide axle was an option for the F350 at one time. No idea if you can still specify it these days.

Maybe on the Chassis Cab, not the pickup bed trucks.
I know all the ford enthusiast say if you're considering a Dual rear wheel F350 skip it and go to the F450, it has higher payload and towing plus a tighter turning radius.

 

[Small Tractor Guy]

I haven't driven a 3/4 or 1 ton pickup since the '80s. My trucks have been 1/2 tons or less. I test drove a recent model Chevy 3/4 ton today. It was nice but I felt every bump. I realize the extra carrying capacity requires stiffer springs but it rode stiffer than I expected. Do all modern HD trucks ride like that? My Tundra's not smooth for sure but has more compliance. The Chevy had a tire pressure monitor and the tires were at 58-60. Do people lower the tire pressure when running unladen?

The Ram power wagon rides very well. It has soft springs for off road work but can’t tow much due to the soft springs. People do put airbags in the rear springs to tow more.

 

[EddieWalker]

Maybe on the Chassis Cab, not the pickup bed trucks.
I know all the ford enthusiast say if you're considering a Dual rear wheel F350 skip it and go to the F450, it has higher payload and towing plus a tighter turning radius.

My biggest hesitation on buying a F450 over the F350 is the cost for the license every year. I'm not sure, but I thought that they charge a lot more for it based on its commercial rating.

The other reason is that even with my Farm Exemption that allows me to pull a trailer with a GVWR of 20,000 pounds, the F350 can easily handle this weight and there's no real reason to spend extra for an F450.

But in all reality, my F150 pulls a 16 foot bumper trailer that can haul everything I need, and I don't really have a big need for a one ton truck or bigger. It's more along the line of something that I would like to have, but don't really need.

 

[Topzide]

But in all reality, my F150 pulls a 16 foot bumper trailer that can haul everything I need, and I don't really have a big need for a one ton truck or bigger. It's more along the line of something that I would like to have, but don't really need.

That was my setup! Had a 1500 Dodge RAM and then was looking to replace it, and my FIL was selling his RAM 3500 CTD. I got it for what I could've spent on a newer RAM 1500. Glad I got it!

 

[Bearsixty7]

My biggest hesitation on buying a F450 over the F350 is the cost for the license every year. I'm not sure, but I thought that they charge a lot more for it based on its commercial rating.

I think the F350 and F450 are in the same GVWR range, both 14K

WEIGHT BASED REGISTRATION FEES
Vehicles 10,001 lbs. or more will pay the following registration fee*, plus applicable fees, including local county fees
10,001-18,000 lbs. $110.00

https://www.txdmv.gov/sites/default/files/body-files/FeeChart_1C.pdf

 

[Blue Mule]

I haven't driven a 3/4 or 1 ton pickup since the '80s. My trucks have been 1/2 tons or less. I test drove a recent model Chevy 3/4 ton today. It was nice but I felt every bump. I realize the extra carrying capacity requires stiffer springs but it rode stiffer than I expected. Do all modern HD trucks ride like that? My Tundra's not smooth for sure but has more compliance. The Chevy had a tire pressure monitor and the tires were at 58-60. Do people lower the tire pressure when running unladen?

The Ford Super Duty rides like absolute trash. I have a '19 and my cousin has a '20 and both are horrendous.

My father has a GMC 3500HD and it's slightly better due to the IFS but it's still rough.

Ram is the best, especially in 3/4 ton configuration because they use a 5-link rear with coils. But, the 3500 is also rough like Ford and GM.

It's apparently the name of the game, but I would say Ford is the worst. I really dislike driving mine daily. It's great with a load on it. But just commuting to work.....ugh....

 

[Bearsixty7]

The Ford Super Duty rides like absolute trash. I have a '19 and my cousin has a '20 and both are horrendous.

My father has a GMC 3500HD and it's slightly better due to the IFS but it's still rough.

Ram is the best, especially in 3/4 ton configuration because they use a 5-link rear with coils. But, the 3500 is also rough like Ford and GM.

It's apparently the name of the game, but I would say Ford is the worst. I really dislike driving mine daily. It's great with a load on it. But just commuting to work.....ugh....

What year? I posted earlier, our 2019 F350 rides day and night better than our old 2006 F350 did. The 2019 I'd say rides as good as 1/2 ton pickups of 20-30 years ago (All 4wd configurations that is).

 

[orezok]

I have an F150 with HDPP. 2560 CCC. It has a heavier frame, heavier shocks, heavier springs and LT tires. Yes, it rides like a truck, but it hauls.