Improving ride comfort in the truck

[Overtaxed]

Just finished a 2500 mile pull over some truly awful roads and was wondering, what suspension upgrades might help improve the ride in the truck (2019 F450) pulling a 351M? I've aired all the tires for the weight on the axles (per Cat scale and tire ratings). RV has the Comfort Ride system installed, pulling with a Goosebox that's aired up correctly. On good roads, it's heaven, people always say "you don't even know it's back there" and, if you don't notice 16K 40' RV behind you, I think you probably need your DL revoked, but, on a good road, it drives very, very nicely. It's when things get rough (think, roads in the northeast) that it can be rough in the truck. Honestly, I think the ride in the RV is better than the truck (I have cameras in there, and it looks pretty stable even when the truck feels like we're going through orbital reentry). I've been looking a few options, Timbrens, airbags, Sulastic springs.. Just wondering if anyone has done any of these upgrades and has some impressions.

Thanks!

[Ynot4me2]

One day

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[FT4NOW]

I dont have a 450, but I have a 350 DRW, close enough. I have Airlift air bags and noticed a big improvement, even when driving unloaded as long as you set your pressure correctly. Only other thing could be to swap your truck shocks with something better, OEM arent always the best choice.

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[traveldawg]

I know you have a gooseneck, but for what it's worth a MorRyde fifth wheel pin box helped. I have air bags and they help; it just took a few trips to find the sweet spot. (seems to be 30 PSI).

I just put some Rancho 9000XL's on and although I haven't towed with them yet, I can tell the difference. I'm still playing with the settings. 0% firm (1 in Rancho's terms) was a bit bouncy and definitely a different ride. I set them 25% firm on a ride from mid FL to Charlotte with some of a load in the truck but nothing like a 5th wheel; I liked that ride and it helped on those bridges that seem to make you porpoise a lot - it removed almost all of that. I might try them at 50% for the trip back to FL.

I won't test with the 5th wheel until July but I expect with the adjustability I can tune it for a better ride than with stock shocks.

Rough roads are called that for a reason - people find them rough. We still hit a lot of them that are not pleasant. It's like nothing can get the chucking totally out on bad roads. I've even driven for miles with one set of tires on the shoulder in TX things got so bad. (which, btw, brings up a very interesting message on the dash if you stay out your lane for a while).

So - bottom line - my vote would be air bags in your case because of their adjustability.

[WhittleBurner]

We have the Air-Safe air hitch and really like it. Supposed to take out 90 to 95% of the chucking and banging. The Air Safe uses 4 air bags and 2 shocks.

[geotex1]

Seriously not a flippant response, but a heavy duty truck asked to due a heavy duty job is going to feel like a heavy duty truck doing a heavy duty job...

The question for you, really, is it the truck behavior or the coupled behavior? Did you traverse the same stretches at all with just the TV? There's good reason why a lot of full-time long-distance travelers prefer the MORyde independent suspension. Then, of course, there are those who step up to mini-Petes and Volvo tractors with air suspension (and seats).

[That 1 Ron]

I've installed a several of each of these over the years, seems to ride much smoother than stock, especially unloaded.

https://kelderman.com/shop/2017-ford...air-suspension

The kelderman kits are good but I think I like these better; https://www.linkmfg.com/products/cha...ions/ultraride

[Txfivver]

Overtaxed start with the tire pressures on the truck. Ford says 90 PSI in front and 80 PSI on the rears. I run the fronts at the recommended 90 and it rides every bit as good as my 350 dually did...in the front. I run the rears at 75 PSI and it made a huge difference, especially without the trailer. The 19.5 Continentals are rated at something like 3990 pounds each at 80 SPI so you have a ton of room to spare. I may even try them at 70 psi in the rear and see how that rides. The MorRyde pinbox I just had installed seems to be smoother than the Rotoflex was as well. Tire pressures may get you where you want to be without expensive mods.

[Wicked ace]

I've installed a several of each of these over the years, seems to ride much smoother than stock, especially unloaded.

https://kelderman.com/shop/2017-ford...air-suspension

The kelderman kits are good but I think I like these better; https://www.linkmfg.com/products/cha...ions/ultraride

I know some are died-in-the-wool with a brand but if you are going to go through all that trouble why not just get a Ram HD truck. The interior is nicer anyway.

[That 1 Ron]

I know some are died-in-the-wool with a brand but if you are going to go through all that trouble why not just get a Ram HD truck. The interior is nicer anyway.

The Ram 4500 (roughly equivalent to the OP's F450) rides about the same because it's also a very heavy duty leaf sprung suspension. I've done air ride conversions on the Rams as well and they do ride a lot smoother with bags. I do agree that the upper level trims have a great interior! You can get factory air bags on the 2500 & 3500 and those seem to ride a little smoother than their leaf only sprung brothers.