Adding weight to bed for ride quality

[24stx87]

Does anyone here add weight to their bed to improve ride quality? If so, what’s the sweet spot in terms of weight, 300lbs?

also, I’ve seen it helps mostly with winter/snow driving and helps out the bounciness. I don’t really see much of an issue with these. My biggest thing is literally if a road is a little rough I feel it. I tried messing the the psi in the tires, but figured give this a try. Does weight help smoothen slightly rough roads and the ride quality there?

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[Ricksc]

Have you changed rear shocks? I went to Bilstein 5100.

 

[24stx87]

Have you changed rear shocks? I went to Bilstein 5100.

Nope, haven’t tried much of anything other than making sure the wheels were balanced and trying higher and lower psi. Trying to maybe to the cheaper options first. How much did they see to help you?

 

[Ricksc]

I have done a lot to my truck for towing. Shocks will help a lot, not that expensive and easy to instal yourself. All depends on what type of ride you want, it is a truck so will never ride like a car.

 

[StoneGray22]

I don't keep weight in the bed, but when I was previously using it for work, ~800 lbs worked wonders. 2022 Lariat, 157" WB, max tow, payload rating is between 1800-1900 lbs.

Edit: loads in the 300 lb range weren't noticeable, and 1200 lbs made the front end feel light.

 

[24stx87]

I don't keep weight in the bed, but when I was previously using it for work, ~800 lbs worked wonders. 2022 Lariat, 157" WB, max tow, payload rating is between 1800-1900 lbs.

Edit: loads in the 300 lb range weren't noticeable, and 1200 lbs made the front end feel light.

Interesting. That helped all around or just any bounciness? My issue here is that every road by me that I do 80% of my driving on has vastly different pavement. One minute it’s brand new pavement, then it’s super rough pavement (no potholes though) then it’s cement, then it’s pavement with cracks on it. It’s so noticeable what I’m driving on hoping to lessen how obvious it is

 

[ksdon]

I live several miles from pavement. Our roads are not terrible buy generally have washboard within 2 days of the county road grader. I installed Bilstein 5100 rear shocks as I wait for my front shocks to come. IT is an observable difference. Just the rear shocks made the pickup bed less bounce.

But to your question, when I have fencing that weighs a couple hundred pounds, or hook up a trailer the ride does improve on anything bounce/ripply. But not on potholes. Bags of sand generally don't make a lot of mess. But they do slip around if not secured.

 

[Davexxxx]

Yes, weight in the bed will mellow the ride but will also hurt fuel econ.

How much weight, depends on where its loaded, with the front of the bed being least effective for your purposes but the safest.

It is a truck, more than likely, it is performing as designed.

 

[EL5_Zero]

I added approximately 100lbs to the bed on my regular cab. I placed a 2" plate between the frame and spare tire. It was enough to tame the bouncing and cracks on the road.

 

[NitroDarwin]

I got to imagine that weight would help, how much would very. A 4x2 max tow standard cab is going to need far more than a 4x4 Supercrew. I can say my previous truck (04 Dakota 4x2) definitely ride better w 250-300lbs in the bed, better than most of the vehicles we have had. I haven't tested to see if the weight in the F150 does the same, but got 4x4 now and haven't had any serious snow yet to justify adding the weight (sand).

 

[StoneGray22]

Interesting. That helped all around or just any bounciness? My issue here is that every road by me that I do 80% of my driving on has vastly different pavement. One minute it’s brand new pavement, then it’s super rough pavement (no potholes though) then it’s cement, then it’s pavement with cracks on it. It’s so noticeable what I’m driving on hoping to lessen how obvious it is

Really helped all around. I was moving that material about 10 miles, across a lot of paved surface types. Some curves, railroad crossings, 4 way stops, 35 mph to 65 mph roads. Tamed the bounciness on uneven surfaces, and made the truck feel much more planted in those different situations.

 

[Old Hat]

I absolutely notice a better ride with a little weight in back.

I added approximately 100lbs to the bed on my regular cab. I placed a 2" plate between the frame and spare tire. It was enough to tame the bouncing and cracks on the road.

This is an interesting idea as it keeps the bed clear and places the weight down low, which is better for handling. A drawback is it would be a minor project to remove. If one never approaches their payload limit this wouldn't matter as there would be little reason to remove. Thanks for posting.

 

[24stx87]

I absolutely notice a better ride with a little weight in back.



This is an interesting idea as it keeps the bed clear and places the weight down low, which is better for handling. A drawback is it would be a minor project to remove. If one never approaches their payload limit this wouldn't matter as there would be little reason to remove. Thanks for posting.

I went ahead and did 320 lbs of sand and in the short amount of time I’ve tested it so far, it does seem like a noticeable improvement. The weight seems to help the truck “recover” quicker over bumps and I feel imperfections in the road less. It feels slightly different when driving, like I can tell there is a bit of weight back there, but in a good way

 

[National Superbike]

Weight helps... I regularly carry motorcycles in the bed and a 400lb bike tames the ride. I also added Bilstein shocks on the rear and that helps also since I can't drive around with a bike in the bed all the time.

 

[Eighthtry]

I absolutely notice a better ride with a little weight in back.



This is an interesting idea as it keeps the bed clear and places the weight down low, which is better for handling. A drawback is it would be a minor project to remove. If one never approaches their payload limit this wouldn't matter as there would be little reason to remove. Thanks for posting.

Very interesting idea. Downside is I would need to get the wife to hold it while i bolted it in. She has no sense of humor.

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