Does tire size affect ride?
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 236
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From: Charlotte, NC
Does tire size affect ride?
Hey Guys,
I really appreciate everyone's comments on my questions. Definitely looks like a 250 SD Lariat is in my future. This is my first foray into the 3/4 ton and diesel world.
We, me and the Mrs., test drove several yesterday. The first 250 Lariat is/was rolling on the 20" wheels/tires. The ride was super rough. Like you felt it when rolling over a penny rough. That was our first test-drive and I immediately knew she was going to veto, based on the ride. We had a conversation with "The Suit", back at the dealership, and he offered another test-drive with a different truck. Still a 250 Lariat, with the value package not the Lariat Ultimate package as the first truck.
The second ride closed the deal. Muuuuuuch smoother ride. We had to scoot out and I didn't get a chance to review the sticker on the 2nd 250. We left the sales rep / dealer with a homework assignment to figure out the difference.
My question is, would the tire size affect the ride that much or do you think it was just a tire inflation issue?
I really appreciate everyone's comments on my questions. Definitely looks like a 250 SD Lariat is in my future. This is my first foray into the 3/4 ton and diesel world.
We, me and the Mrs., test drove several yesterday. The first 250 Lariat is/was rolling on the 20" wheels/tires. The ride was super rough. Like you felt it when rolling over a penny rough. That was our first test-drive and I immediately knew she was going to veto, based on the ride. We had a conversation with "The Suit", back at the dealership, and he offered another test-drive with a different truck. Still a 250 Lariat, with the value package not the Lariat Ultimate package as the first truck.
The second ride closed the deal. Muuuuuuch smoother ride. We had to scoot out and I didn't get a chance to review the sticker on the 2nd 250. We left the sales rep / dealer with a homework assignment to figure out the difference.
My question is, would the tire size affect the ride that much or do you think it was just a tire inflation issue?
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 697
From: Minnesota
Ride is affected by the amount of unsprung weight in a wheel and by the height of the tire sidewall. Generally, a larger diameter tire will have a smaller aspect ratio (shorter sidewall) and might have more unsprung weight because of the bigger wheel. So, in general, an 18" will ride better than a 20". An 18" is also better for payload capacity as there is more air in an 18" and it is the air that carries the weight. Lastly, the higher sidewall of an 18" will provide more opportunity to successfully negotiate a heavy impact without tire failure. There is more sidewall to absorb the impact.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 236
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From: Charlotte, NC
The extra payload is a plus as it'll be a TV for a heavy travel trailer (11K range). Yes payload is different from payload, but they both = weight on the axles.
I'm with H2OCamper, my gut says it's a inflation issue.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 522
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From: Minnesota
Did the first truck have 20" Michelins and the second have 18" Goodyears? I will never put another set of Michelins on one of my trucks again because they ride so horribly rough! I ran quite a few sets of Michelins on my old truck and the last set I put on it was a set of BFG K02's in the same size as the stock Michelins. What a difference! I didn't feel every little crack and bump in the road, they balanced out better and didn't have to use 4wd in wet grass. My Michelins would start to shake after about 20,000 miles and after multiple attempts to balance I would usually give up after about 50,000 miles and put a new set on. Not so with the BFG's, they were still smooth after 35,000 miles (that's what they had when I traded the truck in) and they had about half tred left too. The same goes for the Goodyears, my 2017 only has 15,000 miles but the tires are still smooth and not shaking.
One of my co-workers took his stock 18's (Goodyears) off and put a set of his old aftermarket 18" wheels on that had a set of Michelins on them. He says they truck rides horrible now compared to before.
One of my co-workers took his stock 18's (Goodyears) off and put a set of his old aftermarket 18" wheels on that had a set of Michelins on them. He says they truck rides horrible now compared to before.
FTE Community Team
Joined: Mar 2017
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From: Florida
If you are going to use it to tow seriously consider a F350 instead. It will give you almost 1500 lbs more payload. If you ever decide to tow a 5th wheel you will need the payload.
My F350 ride is excellent. Not as soft as my previous F150s but not rough at all.
My F350 ride is excellent. Not as soft as my previous F150s but not rough at all.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Jasper, TN
I agree with Flyct, if you are going to tow, by all means test drive a 350. Ours is a cclb Lariat diesel that we tow a 10,000lb trailer with. It's awesome.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2017
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From: Riverside, CA
you also have to consider which springs are in the truck. They have a couple different springs for different payloads.
The first truck I drove had the "camper package" which has slightly stiffer front springs. I wanted a lariat with 3.55 rear axle and 18" wheels, but apparently you can't order that combination without getting the stiffer springs.
You can however get the 3.55 rear axle with standard springs if you opt for the 20" wheels. I was offered a great deal on a platinum that had the standard springs on the dealers lot and couldn't pass it up.
The first truck I drove had the "camper package" which has slightly stiffer front springs. I wanted a lariat with 3.55 rear axle and 18" wheels, but apparently you can't order that combination without getting the stiffer springs.
You can however get the 3.55 rear axle with standard springs if you opt for the 20" wheels. I was offered a great deal on a platinum that had the standard springs on the dealers lot and couldn't pass it up.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2013
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From: Charlotte, NC
Thanks for all the responses.
The truck I'm looking at doesn't have the camper package or the snowplow prep, however it does have the 20" machined aluminum wheels.
All that being said, it was the tires. The sales rep just called - they are replacing 2 tires and we've scheduled another test-drive Wednesday afternoon.
The truck I'm looking at doesn't have the camper package or the snowplow prep, however it does have the 20" machined aluminum wheels.
All that being said, it was the tires. The sales rep just called - they are replacing 2 tires and we've scheduled another test-drive Wednesday afternoon.
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 543
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From: Extreme NW Ohio
X2 on this!!!! Been there, done that!!!
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 236
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From: Charlotte, NC
A 350 would be a great find, however they are in pretty tight supply in my area. Most 350s come "with hips" which is way more that the Mrs wants to drive. That and I'm currently in negotiations on a 250 Lariat that I probably shouldn't pass up.
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