Newer 3/4 ton advice?

[two_bit_score]

I’m just curious why you felt the need to type all of this, here. The OP clearly states he’s doing it for commercial use.

If it’s just for general knowledge, great post, but largely irrelevant to the OP.

A lot of people looking at this thread might get the mistaken impression that they would be required to have a CDL and commercial registration just to take a large tractor to the shop. It was informative information and clarification. Lot of good information has been posted in this thread.

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[Copperhead]

Exactly my purpose. To let others know that weight is not the factor in whether one needs a CDL, but what one is doing that determines the need for a CDL.

 

[jk96]

Just came back from a 700 mile trip with a friend, he just bought a new F350 diesel. OMG, that thing rides so hard I can't believe it, he actually said he made a mistake, I feel bad for him really, you really need to drive one on no so nice payment before you buy one.. The roads are perfect around the dealership he bought it from.. IFS would be what I would be looking for..

Was in the market for a new drw diesel in 2012. Was looking at Ford and Ram. Ended up with my Ram for the same reason, ride quality. Last year I took a trip with a buddy from Missouri to Wisconson to pick up a tractor in his F350. That trip on the way there empty reinforced that I made the right decision.

 

[Copperhead]

I am really surprised that all the pickup truck OEM's do not have air ride suspension as an option. It would cure so many ills.

 

[Ford850]

I've noticed some owners inflate their truck tires well above the recommended rating, going by the maximum PSI on the tire rather than what the truck is spec'd for. Even my F150 with LT tires is harsh when I run at the top end PSI without a load. I try to keep the tires inflated per the door sticker unless I'm towing or hauling heavy and it makes a big difference.

 

[Copperhead]

I always get the load pressure chart from the tire maker and inflate according to actual axle weights. When empty, i keep about 50 PSI all the way around on my BFG KO2 E rated tires. I will air up some if I am going to be loading down the pickup. GM says the pressures should be 60 front and 70 rear. Well, that is fine, if the pickup is loaded down to full GVWR. Most folks rarely load to full GVWR.

I dropped the cat in heat rake down a little in the back with a set of McGaughy's 2" drop shackles. I then installed a set of 1500lb urethane foam SumoSprings that replace the stock axle bump stops and the Sumo's rest right on the axle when pickup is empty. They are equivalent to air bags without the hassle and go to work the minute I start loading up the pickup. And I replaced the stock Rancho shocks with a set of Bilstein 4600's. One nice riding 3/4 ton now and it just starts getting to level with over a ton of material in the back.

 

[3930dave]

I am really surprised that all the pickup truck OEM's do not have air ride suspension as an option. It would cure so many ills.

^One big truck basic feature that would be really useful on small stuff..... another one I'd like to see is front hood and fenders, hinged at the bumper. Since most people don't always haul the same payload all the time, I've seen Firestone or equivalent air-bags make a huge difference on light trucks.... best of both worlds. I think Ram has/had a factory airbag option (?).

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

I've noticed some owners inflate their truck tires well above the recommended rating, going by the maximum PSI on the tire rather than what the truck is spec'd for. Even my F150 with LT tires is harsh when I run at the top end PSI without a load. I try to keep the tires inflated per the door sticker unless I'm towing or hauling heavy and it makes a big difference.

From an engineering standpoint, I like CuHead's elegantly simple approach to running the #'s to determine the psi. That said, it's way beyond what the avg consumer would ever consider.

I've found that even amongst people with some mechanical knowledge, there is plenty of confusion surrounding Door Sticker vs. Tire Max PSI #'s....... leads to guys driving around with mostly empty 3/4+ton trucks on E range tires at 80psi..... then blaming the tire when centre of the rear tires balds-out early......

Rgds, D.

 

[Ford850]

From an engineering standpoint, I like CuHead's elegantly simple approach to running the #'s to determine the psi. That said, it's way beyond what the avg consumer would ever consider.

I've found that even amongst people with some mechanical knowledge, there is plenty of confusion surrounding Door Sticker vs. Tire Max PSI #'s....... leads to guys driving around with mostly empty 3/4+ton trucks on E range tires at 80psi..... then blaming the tire when centre of the rear tires balds-out early......

Rgds, D.

Yep, that's exactly my point. Blame the poor tire life on the tires, and blame the rough ride on the truck. Owner is to blame for both issues but you can't tell them that... "says right here on the tire 80 psi".

 

[gladehound]

My cousin's employee was pulling an empty 14,000 dump trailer with an F550 in PA. The combo was well under 26,000 actual weight (12,000 for the F550, 4500 for the empty dump trailer). The GCWR was 33,000. The employee was pulled over and told that he needs a CDL. The state trooper took his info and said if he catches him again without a CDL he'd lose his license and the company would be fined. The fine would be several thousand dollars, I forget the exact amount.