2014 Ram 2500 6.7L Diesel - Rough Ride

[JBBeaubeaux]

Just picked up my Ram 2500 and found the ride a bit rough.

Haven't had a chance to pull the 30' Excella, but was wondering if any one had any suggestions to make it a smoother ride without compromising the safety while towing.

Will towing the AS offset the rough ride and make it a smoother ride?

I am a newbie and just want to make good choices, if any are needed.

Thanks!

[Mrjkq]

JB, I don't have a RAM 2500 but have had two other 3/4 ton tow vehicles without airbag suspension & both, a 2500 GMC Denali & Ford F-250, both diesel, road Very comfortable, a little bounce on rough terrain but otherwise very comfortable. Regarding towing the best you can hope for is to stay the same, it won't get better. Heavy Duty truck suspension is more sturdy & consequently will cause a different ride however, not to the point of any discomfort. Enjoy your new ride!

[BAB]

I have a 2014 Ram Laramie 2500 4x4 with the 6.7L Cummins. Have had it just over 14 months, and at about 19,000 miles, most of it towing. The ride is definitely "firm" around town, but when the truck is loaded, i.e., towing -- it is very comfortable. I also added 37 gallon diesel tank in the bed, and it handles the weight very well. Truck has been an AWESOME TV, especially in the mountains. I'm slightly above 14 MPG towing my new Classic.

[Skater]

Ours is almost like a car. I mean, compared to a luxury or even a family car, it's rougher, but it's much softer than our F-250 was. There's some trade off for being able to tow 16,000 lbs or haul a lot of weight in the bed.

[Wayne Clamp]

Like all have said, when you add the trailer weight it will get better, Can't have the ride of a Lincoln and the load capacity of a Peterbuilt

[Plasma800]

my chevy 2500 HD Gasser will darn near jar your teeth out when unloaded.

[SteveH]

My '12 Ram 2500 actually says in the owner's manual to reduce the air pressure in the rear tires to 45psi when not hauling or towing to improve the ride, and it has a setting on the dash to tell the computer not to alarm on low air pressure. It works.

[JBBeaubeaux]

Thanks everyone!!! Great comments and feedback.

[crispyboy]

As you put some tongue weight on the rear springs the ride will get better. The trick with a 3/4 ton is the sweet spot where you have enough on the rear springs for a better ride and not porpoising and enough weight on the front axle for good steering. This is where you can toy around with the weight distribution hitch to get the right feel and handling. Once you understand this a trip to the scale can confirm where you want to be with shifting weight.

[KWN306]

I have a Ram 2500 diesel with a tow package and it will jar your bones empty and will ride like a Lazy Boy with 2500# in the bed, I installed air bags, put 50 #'s in them and it made a huge difference.

[Beach Bum]

We have a 13 2500 laramie diesel. Tows our 30 FC like a dream. Makes towing in the mountains much more enjoyable. We also reduce the rear air pressure to 45 psi when not towing per the owners manual. It helps smooth the ride and provides more control of the rear end with a light load.

[JCWDCW]

I read an article about this in an RV magazine by a truck towing expert. His recommendation on a 1 Ton Dually was to add a slab of steel in the bed to force the springs to work against the weight rather than just bouncing the truck.

Does anyone have an opinion about reducing the spring capacity in the rear suspension and maybe adding air bags to make up for the loss of capacity.

just thinking...

JCW

[Bill M.]

They actually make spring kits to soften the ride. My understanding is that the kits make a softer ride when the truck is empty but just a little load you are back to the same ride as before. We have a 2007 2500 with short long cab. It does ride rough on rough roads but rides pretty smooth on good pavement. It is a daily driver and we have gotten used to it. It does say you can run down to 45 in the back when empty but we do not do that. I run the back at 60 or so empty (it has a cover and s never really empty) and up to 70 for a long pull. I think the best answer is to just drive it for a while and see if you get used to it. I just try to stay off rough roads unless I have to use them. Every once in a while a unexpedted pothole does get our attention.

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by JCWDCW

I read an article about this in an RV magazine by a truck towing expert. His recommendation on a 1 Ton Dually was to add a slab of steel in the bed to force the springs to work against the weight rather than just bouncing the truck.

Does anyone have an opinion about reducing the spring capacity in the rear suspension and maybe adding air bags to make up for the loss of capacity.

just thinking...

JCW

It's expensive to do it right. CARLI is one supplier.

Be sure tire pressure is at the low end of the door placard scale. This will make the biggest difference.

KONI FSD shocks for a 4WD. That and the MOR/ryde RS system would be the extent of changes I'd be willing to make.

A 56 gallon aftermarket replacement fuel tank from TITAN or Transfer Flow would add some weight.

Or just keep 1k of bagged sand or a water bladder in the bed when solo. Secured from movement.

And quit driving it like a car. No brakes on -- ever -- while going into a turn. Run under any speed limit. Learn to read the road surface. Etc. An attentive driver can really smooth things out.

A Wondergel Supercushion is what I use to take the cracks out of the road on mine or in an eighteen wheeler. See also ROHO.

Seat posture, like tire pressure, is also overlooked. Chances are that you are too far back and reclined too much. It's not a car. With hands and 10 & 2, move seat cushion forward until feet are placed behind pedals on floor slope. Knees relaxed and no pressure underneath them. Just slightly back from this and seated in this upright manner will lessen felt shock.

[fsmechanic]

My 2500/cummins '95 was a bit stiff empty but was a dream loaded. Just the price one pays for a vehicle with a suspension that can handle weight.

[Airstreamer67]

Rather than a slab of steel or a bag of sand, I put a 91-gallon RWS auminum diesel fuel tank in the bed of the truck. It sure is nice to stop at a fuel station only every three of four days rather than once or twice a day, and also to pick the best prices along the way.

[switz]

Our 2012 Ram 2500HD 4x4 diesel rode harsh from the dealership in Indianapolis, IN to Oskalosa, IA. We dropped all the steel suspension springs for a Kelderman complete air suspension and the ride was greatly improved. We swapped the stock tank for a Titan 56 gallon tank and replaced the hitch with a Curt 15049 to handle the heavier tongue weight.

Rides well when under tow with the Classic.