Softer Less Bumpy Ride ?
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 413
Likes: 1
From: Tennessee
I had the same problem. When I would put 65 lbs of air in my tires, which is what Ford calls for, the Goodyears felt like they were solid steel tires. I could feel every rock or small imperfection in the road, so I used 55 instead, and would only air them back up when I towed something. Then, when my Goodyears wore out, I decided to put Michelins on her. They are excellent tires, and they feel like Im riding on pillow wheels., with 65 all the way around. Now I know why the Michelin Man is a big marshmallow. They are Load range E tires and are excellent in the rain, mud, snow, and dry pavement. They cost more, but they are worth it because I only got 39,000 out of my Goodyears, and I have a friend who has the Michelins on his truck and he's already got 73,000 on them and they STILL look good. Just my 2 cents worth
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,461
Likes: 0
From: Saskatoon, SK
The air pressure that 'Ford calls for" is whats recommended/required to tow and/or haul maximum weights premissable on these trucks. If running these pressures empty your truck will ride like crap and the centers will wear on your tires too quickly from being over inflated for the weight they are carrying!
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 413
Likes: 1
From: Tennessee
which is why I dropped them down to 55 after going to a dealership on a sunday and checking about 15 SD's tire pressures, which were all set at 55. 65 was rough even when towing, but with the Michelins it is very soft. Plus, if Im not mistaken, the door placard calls for 65 cold pressure. it says nothing about towing with 65 and using a lower pressure for not towing.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,461
Likes: 0
From: Saskatoon, SK
Then keep bouncing away with your rough ride >> I told you what the stickers are about!
The right way to determine correct tire pressure is to weigh your truck and match up the weight/tire with the tire inflation pressure charts provided by the tire manufacturers. You will be surprised what you see for pressures!
The right way to determine correct tire pressure is to weigh your truck and match up the weight/tire with the tire inflation pressure charts provided by the tire manufacturers. You will be surprised what you see for pressures!
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 413
Likes: 1
From: Tennessee
Laredo you need to knock it down a notch! Anybody on this forum will tell you that inflation pressures marked on the placard of your door are Ford reccommended cold inflation pressures. They say nothing about checking the tire manufacturer weight inflation charts. My son is an engineer at Bridgestone, and also, why dont you back up your claim by showing us where in the Service Manual or on the Tire Placard or even in the owners guide where it says that. Your obvious hostility to the first poster shows how childish you are and that you are one of those types who thinks they know everything and doesnt like it when they are proven wrong. People come here for help, not smart-aleck accusations such as yours. So, Im asking you, tell us where Ford says that? Anybody else wanna chip in?
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From: Jeffersonville , Indiana
I have always ran my tires at what was stated on the door and have always gotten good tire wear and decent ride quality. Remember it is a 3/4 ton truck and will / should have a firmer ride than a 1/2 ton.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
Personally, if I was looking for a smooth ride I would have gotten a sedan, but this is an 8,000 pound hauling machine that has a stiff suspension are you seriously suprised that it rides similar to a stagecoach? 
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
I can't really figure out what the deal is here. I have never run anything below 70psi in my tires. So far I've got 53,000 on my second set. I don't think it rides that bad. My kids like to bounce around in the back seats too.
I don't care what the door thing says. Load range E tires say 80psi max and I just can't sleep at night running them 15 psi low. Seems wrong to me.
I don't care what the door thing says. Load range E tires say 80psi max and I just can't sleep at night running them 15 psi low. Seems wrong to me.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 738
From: Isanti, MN
The only way you're likely to find a smoother ride would be to replace your suspension with an air ride system. Our trucks are sprung for their maximum weight, and the springs are going to be just as stiff whether the truck is loaded or empty. Which makes it ride like crap.
Heavy trucks use air bags to vary the stiffness of the suspension, so it's never too stiff for the load. Not available on a stock pickup, but I have found a company that makes an air suspension setup:
http://www.stengelbros.com/Talon%20Air%20Ride.htm
Be very careful lowering your pressures. Many here do, but too little pressure WILL cause tire failure.
Heavy trucks use air bags to vary the stiffness of the suspension, so it's never too stiff for the load. Not available on a stock pickup, but I have found a company that makes an air suspension setup:
http://www.stengelbros.com/Talon%20Air%20Ride.htm
Be very careful lowering your pressures. Many here do, but too little pressure WILL cause tire failure.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 413
Likes: 1
From: Tennessee
Wow Tom, that air suspension is a sweet looking system! Do you know anyone who's had it done on their 3/4 or 1 ton? Just wondering if it would be overkill for me because I tow maybe 50/50. But the pictures on that site sure look nice!
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 738
From: Isanti, MN
To be honest I really don't know a whole lot about it other than what I read on the internet. I do know that air suspension is the only good way to make a heavy duty truck ride anywhere close to reasonable when empty.
If you to to their website...
http://www.talon-usa.com/
They have a free DVD they'll send you to "see it in action". Would be definitely worth looking at if you're serious about improving your ride.
It's funny, half the time someone asks about why these trucks ride so rough, people come on here and act like their Super Duty rides like a car.
They don't. They ride like CRAP! Not Ford's fault, this is how they have to be to handle loads as well as they do. This is the price we pay for heavy duty.
If you to to their website...
http://www.talon-usa.com/
They have a free DVD they'll send you to "see it in action". Would be definitely worth looking at if you're serious about improving your ride.
It's funny, half the time someone asks about why these trucks ride so rough, people come on here and act like their Super Duty rides like a car.
They don't. They ride like CRAP! Not Ford's fault, this is how they have to be to handle loads as well as they do. This is the price we pay for heavy duty.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 413
Likes: 1
From: Tennessee
So very true Tom. Ive gotten used to the ride, but my wife complains sometimes. People always think you can just lower the tire pressure and solve the problem, but you cant do that when using these trucks for what they were made for. I have found that the Michelins are about the best tire in lessening that hard ride with tire pressures where they should be, but they ARE expensive. Thanks for the info on the DVD, I'll check that out. And I hope the first poster chimes back in and lets us know if we've helped him in any way. Thanks again
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 299
Likes: 0
From: Ripley NY
I put AirRide airbags under the back of mine and it made a huge difference in the ride. Its a lot smoother now than without and I don't hear the springs smacking the stops over big bumps anymore, and I use them to level the truck out when pulling a heavy load. For the 4-500 bucks it is well worth thr money. Also my truck has the tire pressure monitoring system on it so even if I was to lower the tire pressure it would leave a light on in the dash. The Goodyear tires that came on my truck will be also be replaced with michelin after they are worn out. On my 99 the last set went 86k before replacing and yes they do ride and wear better than any other tire that I have personally used.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 738
From: Isanti, MN
I have to agree with you on michelin tires, but I'm not sure how stiffening up the rear would help ride.
I don't think the rough ride on mine is caused by the springs bottoming out, so much as it is caused by the springs being very stiff for an empty truck. If you were to add airbags and put pressure in them, I think you'd be making the problem worse...doesn't make sense to me.
On the other hand, airbags are by far the best way to increase your truck's ability to handle a load well, and I plan on putting a set on mine eventually for when I'm towing heavy. Probably the best upgrade for the price...
I don't think the rough ride on mine is caused by the springs bottoming out, so much as it is caused by the springs being very stiff for an empty truck. If you were to add airbags and put pressure in them, I think you'd be making the problem worse...doesn't make sense to me.
On the other hand, airbags are by far the best way to increase your truck's ability to handle a load well, and I plan on putting a set on mine eventually for when I'm towing heavy. Probably the best upgrade for the price...