Do all HD pickups ride rough?

[bigtiller]

My buddy and I each had new 1988 chevy trucks. Mine was 3/4T and his was 1/2T.

On the same road to work...
The 3/4T bounced us up & down.
The 1/2T rocked us side to side.

 

[mike69440]

Ford Tremor package HD packages, Chevy long wheelbase, and Rams with air springs are tolerable for ride. Everything else HD is very stiff.

 

[RandyT]

Just going from load rance 6ply to load range E 10 ply can make a 1/2 ton go from a soft ride to more 3/4 ton feel even while maintaining the lower 6 ply air pressure in the 10 ply tires.

 

[mikester]

Remember the good old days when pickup trucks had only a single bench seat, a lap belt, and you needed a kidney belt while riding in the cab with your window hand cranked all the way down for air conditioning?

The new GM trucks are like princess palaces with ultra-bright LED headlights designed to blind oncoming drivers and cure your UV nail polish in seconds flat.

 

[Tomtint]

I have 2 F450s .. One is a dump truck 4x4 9' body V10 gas.. If I run over a dime I can tell you what year it was made.. My other F450 is a 2021 Limited diesel crew cab 4x4.. That truck rides better than any big truck I have owned. Super super nice.

 

[Hay Dude]

“ride” or the comfort of a vehicle is too subjective to different expectations to suggest a brand. Length from the front axle to the rear axle is a big factor in ride quality.
If I get in my Ram 5500 and drive home after a long day in a farm tractor, my Ram feels like a luxury car.
Conversely, if I drove around in a Lincoln Town Car all day, then drive my Ram 5500, the ride would feel more rough.
My Ram rides fine for a truck that can tow 18 tons. And that’s all I really care about.
But I do crack up at those who think one brand has a distinctly better ride than the other. Especially when you know these trucks are about 95% the same frame, axles, springs, suspensions, shocks, etc with a slightly different sheet metal body and a different brand badge slapped on the side.
One exception could be IFS trucks. They rode smoother on the front axle than SFA trucks.

 

[Tomtint]

The tundra is a half ton. 3/4 ton trucks are always going to ride worst than 1/2 tons.

We also have a 24 Tundra crew cab 4x4 Limited with a 6.5' bed. Its our work truck and has a Leer cap, and probably 500 pounds in the rear.. It rides pretty nice. Its a light truck with firm suspension..so there is a lot of road feel in the steering wheel .. I also have a 23 Raptor 150.. the driving experience is completely different.. The Ford feels much more substantial on the road.. But heavier and more "floaty".. Very little feedback in the steering wheel. And much more plush over bumps. ..Heavy truck/ soft suspension feel

 

[Hay Dude]

I have 2 F450s .. One is a dump truck 4x4 9' body V10 gas.. If I run over a dime I can tell you what year it was made.. My other F450 is a 2021 Limited diesel crew cab 4x4.. That truck rides better than any big truck I have owned. Super super nice.

I bet the distance between the axles and the quality of the seats accounts for 90% of the ride quality differences between equal GVWR’s
The lesser springs and softer tires make 1/2 tons ride better than 1 tons

 

[Rvrrat14]

Tires and tire pressure makes a difference for sure. I run my 24 2500HD with 60 in front and 65 in rear and get a smoother ride locally. Trips/hauling I’ll put them where GM says, and yes, They’re stiff.

 

[Topzide]

Tire pressure is the key to what and how you're using your truck.

I have a 2014 3500 RAM diesel LB DRW. Unloaded, I run 55 in front and 50 in the rears. This makes for a very smooth ride.

Look at load charts for your tires. Sometimes, you don't need max pressure for the load you're carrying.

The short wheelbase does affect the ride quality. You'll need to play around with the tire pressures for what you like. May need a programmer to adjust the TPMS lights and sounds.

4x4 is standard in my household, as I'm 1/4 mile off county road, and roads can be iffy with snowfalls!