Bumpy ride
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Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 292
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Bumpy ride
So the one big disappointment I have had is the bumpy ride on my new f250...
I have had a gmc 1500 and an f150 that both rode significantly better. I understand bigger truck built for towing etc is going to create this... Let's be honest. I wanted the turbo diesel and wanted to pull my boat. But I do drive a lot for work as well...
It sounds like the fix is bags in the rear? Forgive me I don't know a ton about that stuff...
For a more comfortable ride what would I need to tell a shop or dealership? What would I expect to pay for this?
Thanks guys!
I have had a gmc 1500 and an f150 that both rode significantly better. I understand bigger truck built for towing etc is going to create this... Let's be honest. I wanted the turbo diesel and wanted to pull my boat. But I do drive a lot for work as well...
It sounds like the fix is bags in the rear? Forgive me I don't know a ton about that stuff...
For a more comfortable ride what would I need to tell a shop or dealership? What would I expect to pay for this?
Thanks guys!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,536
Likes: 200
From: southeast PA
Airbags are not going to change you unloaded ride quality at all. It's not the half ton your used to, it's a heavier truck with haevaier springs, they just ride rougher. The only real option your have is to see where the tire pressue is set (probably 80psi), and lower to down to something more realistic, like 65 psi when running empty..............but that will **** off the TPMS. Some poeple have had luck with getting the dealer to reprogram the system to keep the light off.
SPONSOR
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 3,126
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Suspension
You might try the StableLoad. The run retail over the counter for about $279 on average for a set to outfit your truck. Often times customers will use these and find they don't need airbags or any other aftermarket upgrades. In a nutshell the StableLoad will engage your factory leaf springs sooner when you are towing or hauling a heavy load so you don't have that bumpy ride. Plus you can disengage them in seconds while they are still on the truck when you are not towing or hauling. They are also going to improve your vehicle handling.
Here is a link to a comparison chart showing how the StableLoad stacks up to other suspension products: torklift.com/suspension
Here is a link to a review a fellow FTE member posted about the StableLoad: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...d-install.html
Here is a link to a comparison chart showing how the StableLoad stacks up to other suspension products: torklift.com/suspension
Here is a link to a review a fellow FTE member posted about the StableLoad: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...d-install.html
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Torklift International – Towing, Suspension, Tie Downs, Steps
Call me direct: 1-800-246-8132
Visit our Blog: http://www.torklift.com/blog
Torklift International – Towing, Suspension, Tie Downs, Steps
Call me direct: 1-800-246-8132
Visit our Blog: http://www.torklift.com/blog
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,536
Likes: 200
From: southeast PA
You might try the StableLoad. The run retail over the counter for about $279 on average for a set to outfit your truck. Often times customers will use these and find they don't need airbags or any other aftermarket upgrades. In a nutshell the StableLoad will engage your factory leaf springs sooner when you are towing or hauling a heavy load so you don't have that bumpy ride. Plus you can disengage them in seconds while they are still on the truck when you are not towing or hauling. They are also going to improve your vehicle handling.
Here is a link to a comparison chart showing how the StableLoad stacks up to other suspension products: torklift.com/suspension
Here is a link to a review a fellow FTE member posted about the StableLoad: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...d-install.html
Here is a link to a comparison chart showing how the StableLoad stacks up to other suspension products: torklift.com/suspension
Here is a link to a review a fellow FTE member posted about the StableLoad: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...d-install.html
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 659
Likes: 1
From: Millstone, NJ
So the one big disappointment I have had is the bumpy ride on my new f250...
I have had a gmc 1500 and an f150 that both rode significantly better. I understand bigger truck built for towing etc is going to create this... Let's be honest. I wanted the turbo diesel and wanted to pull my boat. But I do drive a lot for work as well...
It sounds like the fix is bags in the rear? Forgive me I don't know a ton about that stuff...
For a more comfortable ride what would I need to tell a shop or dealership? What would I expect to pay for this?
Thanks guys!
I have had a gmc 1500 and an f150 that both rode significantly better. I understand bigger truck built for towing etc is going to create this... Let's be honest. I wanted the turbo diesel and wanted to pull my boat. But I do drive a lot for work as well...
It sounds like the fix is bags in the rear? Forgive me I don't know a ton about that stuff...
For a more comfortable ride what would I need to tell a shop or dealership? What would I expect to pay for this?
Thanks guys!
Of course the ride is going to be significantly different than a f150 or gmc 1500, its a heavier truck with heavy duty suspension.
I bet it will tow your boat like a dream though.
Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 13,710
Likes: 5
From: Manchester, CT
Yea, not much you can do besides make your very capable truck not very capable anymore...im curious to what some of your guys trucks ride like, i have a lifted 2003 so it has leaf springs, and mine rides great. and i go on some crappy roads...
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 387
Likes: 0
From: Limestone County
Mine rides rough on ****ty highways, expansion joints just kill me, here in AZ they've but a topping on the top of slurry seal and chipped tires which make the road noise and some of the bumps go away .
Chuck
Chuck
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 255
Likes: 2
If in your use the payload of the truck is only going to amount to the tongue weight of your boat trailer, then the only thing you can do is de-rate the springs. There are numerous options on the aftermarket to replace your springs with softer, better riding ones at the expense of load-carrying capacity.
Joe
Joe
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 502
Likes: 0
From: Hillsboro, OR
"What would I expect to pay for this?"
You would pay the exact same amount that your man card cost you, Troll.
Hike up your skirt when you get in, put your purse on the passenger seat and go back to the dealer to get another F150.
It will haul any boat a Girly Man owns.
I hate the way my F150 rides.
I pick up my Fx4 Off Road Package, Tow Package, Camper Package F350 tomorrow, sweetheart.
You would pay the exact same amount that your man card cost you, Troll.
Hike up your skirt when you get in, put your purse on the passenger seat and go back to the dealer to get another F150.
It will haul any boat a Girly Man owns.
I hate the way my F150 rides.
I pick up my Fx4 Off Road Package, Tow Package, Camper Package F350 tomorrow, sweetheart.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
You might try checking your air pressure in the tires. Take 5 pounds of pressure out of each tire and see what that does to your ride and handling. Go slowly, as lower tire pressure may make the truck handle different.
Just remember that you need to have the tires at the pressure on the door sticker if you're hauling or towing.
Just remember that you need to have the tires at the pressure on the door sticker if you're hauling or towing.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 288
Likes: 1
From: near Montreal, Canada
I test drove each and much prefer the ride of the F150 and can't imagine someone prefers bouncing around unloaded in the F250. I got the F250 because the F150 can't handle the pin weight on a sizeable 5th wheel. The F150 HD would have done it but they are impossible to find.
I too would gladly pay a reasonable price for softer springs. something that still allows me to take maybe 2000lbs while still being able to drive bad roads unloaded in relative comfort. I can't justify buying a 3rd car when I have the F250 parked at home.
Maybe I'll try putting a bit of weight in the back this winter. A couple sand/salt bags right at the tailgate.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
Like redford said, try changing the tire pressure. Adjustable shocks such as the rancho 9000s also help. Tossing 500lbs of sand or other ballast in the bed will also help.
Kelderman makes a nice air ride setup for the Super Duty.
These are the humble words of MisterCMK sent on the go...
Kelderman makes a nice air ride setup for the Super Duty.
These are the humble words of MisterCMK sent on the go...
New User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
New User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Welcome to the Superduty world! It is indeed true that our trucks do not and WILL not ride like the 150 and 1500s of the world... This trucks these days are nothing more than a Car with a bed in most cases. When you step up to a F250 you are getting a truck that was manufactured to do some kind of job... Sush as tow your boat, your motorhome, your horse trailers, car haulers, toy boxes, welders.. etc etc etc... The trucks are set up with the expectancy that they are going to have some kind of load on them. Sometimes it is better to have a F150 for daily driving and then accept some of its shortcomings when your hauling the boat, rather than accept the comparative rough ride of the Super duties for daily driving and the superior pulling ability for your toys. It really is a give and take situation. To me it sounds like a half ton truck with bags would have been a better solution.... Now all that being said.... I can ensure that you LOVE the ride of your truck... pretty easily actually.... come drive my F450 for 2 weeks... then get back into your new truck... You will be amazed at how supple the suspension feels then!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!