10-ply tires + Torsion bar lift = ROUGH RIDE

kc5deb · November 25, 2005

About 3 months ago, I needed new tires. I went with a set of Hankook 10-ply tires. At the same time I put the tires on, I had the shop adjust the torsoin bars to lift the front up a little bit (couldn't stand the front sagging like it did).

The tires I had on before were 4-ply road tires, and it rode like a typical 3/4 4x4 truck; rougher than most, but smooth for a 3/4 4x4.

What I have discovered is that the ride is horrible; it's like riding in a buckboard wagon. Everything in my truck that can rattle, DOES. I figure that if I don't do something about it soon, my truck will beat itself to death.

My question is, what do you think caused the ride to become so stiff; the tires, or the adjusted torsion bars? I'll pay the $100 bucks to have them lowered to factory settings, and have the front end aligned. But, if that's not it, I'll have to find someone to buy my tires before I can afford some smoother riding tires. They only have about 3,000-3,500 miles on them, and it just doesn't seem like they're getting better.

Anyone else notice a rougher ride with just lifting up the front end with the torsion bars, or do you think it's just the tires?

BRZ71 · November 25, 2005

Both. How much did they crank up the bars? I did mine about an inch and didn't notice much of a ride change. I too switched from P tires to LT tires and have noticed a rougher ride, but mine is a 1500. My cousin has a 2500HD and his rode like sh!t from the factory. You can try to adjust your air pressure down a little, but those tires do not have alot of flex to absorb the bumps and there probably isn't to much you can do about the ride, put a couple hundred pounds in the bed that may help. I have never driven a 3/4 ton that wasn't rough ride.

redvett · November 25, 2005

Why in the world would you want 10 ply tires unless you are carrying a very heavy load each & everyday.

6.slow · November 25, 2005

I've got 10-plys on my 2500HD 4x4 and tweaked the torsion bars. She rides just fine. Not to much different than factory. Just enough to hide the 2WD look. As far as putting a 10-ply on, I just couldn't justify having a truck that could haul it, but tires that couldn't. What's the point? Might as well go back to a 1/2 ton if you can't use what you got. Nothing against the 1/2 tons... I keep mine at around 55 psi's and they flex enough and still hold their weight. Maybe they didn't balance your tires good?

redvett · November 26, 2005

I've got 10-plys on my 2500HD 4x4 and tweaked the torsion bars. She rides just fine. Not to much different than factory. Just enough to hide the 2WD look. As far as putting a 10-ply on, I just couldn't justify having a truck that could haul it, but tires that couldn't. What's the point? Might as well go back to a 1/2 ton if you can't use what you got. Nothing against the 1/2 tons... I keep mine at around 55 psi's and they flex enough and still hold their weight. Maybe they didn't balance your tires good?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What ever tires the truck came from the MFR with will carry the GVW that the sticker says. If the owner overloads the truck over the GVW then the entire truck is compromised. That put undue stress on the whole truck and its life span.

6.slow · November 26, 2005

I've got 10-plys on my 2500HD 4x4 and tweaked the torsion bars. She rides just fine. Not to much different than factory. Just enough to hide the 2WD look. As far as putting a 10-ply on, I just couldn't justify having a truck that could haul it, but tires that couldn't. What's the point? Might as well go back to a 1/2 ton if you can't use what you got. Nothing against the 1/2 tons... I keep mine at around 55 psi's and they flex enough and still hold their weight. Maybe they didn't balance your tires good?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What ever tires the truck came from the MFR with will carry the GVW that the sticker says. If the owner overloads the truck over the GVW then the entire truck is compromised. That put undue stress on the whole truck and its life span.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I put 10-ply on because it's d**n near impossible to find a mud tire in a 285 and not a C load range. I didn't choose the tires because the can hold more than the truck, I choose them because they were bada** in the mud and snow, quiet, wear good, cheap, and they came in the size I needed. I refuse to put a tire the cannot hold the weight the truck is designed to hold. Even if I don't always use it to full capacitites, I still have the full ability of the truck. I know the tire can hold more than the truck, but I'm not dumb enough to risk my life and limb nor other motorists, because I overloaded the truck. (Crazy, not stupid) Those factory "doughnuts" were just not cutting it on the jobsite. just thought I'd clear my name here...

dogzapper · November 26, 2005

My wife and I hunt big game in Montana. The cactus on the prairie is notorious for flattening common 4-ply tires; actually it is the ultra-thin sidewalls that is easily pierced by the zillions of cactus needles. We returned several years ago, losing 4 to 10 pounds of air pressure per day, depending on the indivicual OEM tire (my front/right was the 10 pound/day one).

Now I run Toyo Open Country ten-plys (incredibly thick sidewalls) on my last two trucks, well over 150,000 miles, and the cactus is no longer a problem.

Actually, I much prefer the ride of the Toyos, with about 65 psi, to the squirmy OEM tires. Better safety when hauling our travel trailer, as well.

Steve

kc5deb · November 26, 2005

Both. How much did they crank up the bars? I did mine about an inch and didn't notice much of a ride change. I too switched from P tires to LT tires and have noticed a rougher ride, but mine is a 1500. My cousin has a 2500HD and his rode like sh!t from the factory. You can try to adjust your air pressure down a little, but those tires do not have alot of flex to absorb the bumps and there probably isn't to much you can do about the ride, put a couple hundred pounds in the bed that may help. I have never driven a 3/4 ton that wasn't rough ride.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

About an inch to 1 1/2 inch from what I can tell. Not too much, because I had read in here that too much is really bad on the front driveline, suspension, etc.

I lowered the pressure to 45psi, and gave it a test run yesterday. Not a difference that I could tell between 45psi and 55psi, so, probably will air them back up to 55psi this afternoon.

kc5deb · November 26, 2005

Why in the world would you want 10 ply tires unless you are carrying a very heavy load each & everyday.

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Because I live and drive in an area where there's tons of mesquite thorns and cactus thorns on some of the road I drive on, and I'm tired (heh, no pun intended) of having flats fixed.

6.slow · November 27, 2005

Why in the world would you want 10 ply tires unless you are carrying a very heavy load each & everyday.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

A 10-ply tire isn't by any means, uncommon, or overkill. They don't ride all that much different. I don't haul a "very heavy" load each and everyday, but why would you equip a truck that can, with tires that can't? I bought my HD to keep up with such loads, and since I was getting different tires, I refused to go less than factory capabilities. Sorry if I'm jumping at you, but I'd like to clear the air on the subject. I don't understand why people cringe at the sound of a 10-ply.