Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > TRAVEL TRAILER, 5th WHEEL & TRUCK CAMPER FORUMS > Trailer Towing and Tow Vehicles Discussion
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 07-03-2017, 06:04 AM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 7
How to smooth out the ride on a dually?

I recently traded in my GMC SRW for a new Ford F450 dually. I love everything about my new Ford, especially it's towing capacity. The one thing I have sacrificed going into a dually is the ride.
I've spoken to a number of people I've met in various campgrounds that drive DRW. Some have suggested to change the springs, some say lower my tire pressure, others have told me airbags are the way to go. One fellow camper who had added airbags to his truck said it actually increased his towing capacity. Is this true? Although I would love to smooth out the ride on my truck, I don't want to sacrifice towing capacity.
I understand it's a dually and it's never going to ride like a Cadillac but if there something I could do to help the situation a bit, I'm all ears.
Thanks for your help.
craigaugone is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 07-03-2017, 06:34 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,442
I put in airbags. Helped quite a bit. Not sure what the guy that told you air bags increase towing capacity is smoking. Air bags do not add to towing capacity. They do help with ride and sag.
__________________
2014 Raptor 300MP, 2014 Cowboy Cadillac - Ram 3500 Crew Cab Long Bed Longhorn 6.7 Cummins Turbo Diesel DRW 4.10 Rear End, 5588 Payload, Firestone Airbags, Curt Q20, TST507
raineman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-03-2017, 07:17 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
MorganT69's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Eads, TN
Posts: 187
Put an air ride on the fifth wheel hitch it will help with the ride.
http://www.trailersaver.com/
__________________
2004 Ford F-250 Crew Cab (Powerstroke 6.0)
2017 Forest River Cherokee 265B with GooseBox
https://www.instagram.com/hwy2paradise/
MorganT69 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-03-2017, 07:30 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
MorganT69's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Eads, TN
Posts: 187
This is how it works
See How it Works
__________________
2004 Ford F-250 Crew Cab (Powerstroke 6.0)
2017 Forest River Cherokee 265B with GooseBox
https://www.instagram.com/hwy2paradise/
MorganT69 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-03-2017, 08:20 AM   #5
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 13
You could look at some new shocks, we plan to install Bilstein on our 28' duallie and Timbren airless shocks .
Arca lui Noe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-03-2017, 08:45 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
keymastr's Avatar
 
Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,539
Are you meaning the unloaded ride or hitched up? If you mean hitched up then describe the ride and what you don't like as well as what hitch you have. Otherwise we have no idea what the issue is or how to help.
__________________
2020 F28 RKS Titanium
2017 Creekside 23 RBS Sold
2016 F250 Super Crew XLT Overworked
keymastr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-03-2017, 09:25 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
CecilD's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 1,004
In my experience supplementary air bags will only serve to make your ride harsher. Now, if you replaced your leaf springs with a full air suspension (if available) then that is a different story.

I replaced the shocks on my Ram with Bilstiens and the initial compliance was harsher than the stock dampers. Can't say about Ford shocks.

I run different tire air pressure for towing and non towing. When using the towing air pressure with the truck empty the ride is definitely harsher.

You have a capable truck with high payload capacity and stiff might be part of the deal. Research Sulastic shackles on the web. I've never heard much feedback on them but they were designed to address your problem.
CecilD is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-03-2017, 09:28 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Castle Rock Co USA
Posts: 576
I run 55psi in my tires when not towing- if at 80psi it rides harsh. 55psi back,65 front.
__________________
2011 Montana-3400RL
Towed by[B]'99 F-350 SD PSD DRW Lariat
RichR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-03-2017, 03:05 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
MtnTrek's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Currently; SW Cali. Sunny & warm!
Posts: 1,323
Quote:
Originally Posted by craigaugone View Post
I love everything about my new Ford, especially it's towing capacity. The one thing I have sacrificed going into a dually is the ride.
You honestly can't expect a Clydesdale to run and jump like a quarter-horse can you?
__________________
J & J, DRV Suites ES-38RSSA #9679
GM Denali, 3500HD-Max, 4x CC, 8' DRW,
EZGo-TXT, Clubcar Precedent
MtnTrek is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-03-2017, 03:19 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 120
Check Kelderman.com. HBrandon
hbrandon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-03-2017, 05:04 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
keymastr's Avatar
 
Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,539
We don't know if he means towing or empty so how can we be suggesting anything?
__________________
2020 F28 RKS Titanium
2017 Creekside 23 RBS Sold
2016 F250 Super Crew XLT Overworked
keymastr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-03-2017, 05:41 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 162
It's a 450, made to haul a load. Big difference between the 350 and 450
kyfarmboy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-03-2017, 06:22 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 596
Add a lot of weight...
marcham is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2017, 07:11 PM   #14
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Pearl River, LA.
Posts: 9
2006 F-350, Just replaced my rear shackles with "Sulastic Shackles", they do not effect towing and load capacities, but made a big difference while unloaded.
FCollins is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Smooth-out RV ride firemanmike5 MH-General Discussions & Problems 8 08-06-2013 11:23 AM
Question, Turning a one ton non-dually to a dually. Wildbob52 Trailer Towing and Tow Vehicles Discussion 28 02-09-2013 02:43 PM
How Smooth Should a 2000 Dip Ride? 00MonDip Monaco Owner's Forum 9 03-29-2012 03:25 PM
Smooth out the ride troyrice76 Ford Motorhome Chassis Forum 20 08-20-2011 09:34 AM
Anyone use air bags to smooth out your F53 ride? BigRedLancer Ford Motorhome Chassis Forum 12 05-06-2008 05:12 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 09:39 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.