Which Truck has the Smoothest Ride?

I care more about handling than the ride

PHP:

 

Longer wheelbase normally = smoother highway ride if loaded properly. Depends on what you do. Going to be in a lot of tight spots setback and shorter is better. Mainly cruising long is the way to go.

 

I like the ride of my Volvo 780 with the air ride front axle. Compared to it W900's and big Pete's feel like riding in an empty dump truck. But I have never been in either of them with an air ride front axle. The set forward axles' shorter springs give a harsher ride.

 

There is no doubt about that I have a W9 that is only a 210" wheel base. That and a 13.2 front and ag400 in back it is border line to harsh but loaded its very stable. I dont make money joy riding around in a mt truck.

 

Im chuckling at how spoiled we all have become.

Back in the cabover days, the only reason we would wear our seatbelts was to keep our heads from hitting the headliner on the rough roads in Ill and Pa...you only wore a cap with a button on the top once. LOL

Since '00 when I went back to driving "road trucks" I can't say that any any of them rode bad... Centurys, Columbias, FLDs, daycab Sterlings, '01 Volvo, or my 270 in '03 379... I did drive that KW 800 whatever that looked and rode and looked a cement mixer.

Anymore, comparing ride is pretty much splitting hairs.

Y'all do realize that we're driving TRUCKS to make money, not going to the mall in a new Lexus. Im really not trying to be a smartazz ....but

 

so progress is bad? mabey you like your spine crushed. I drove those trucks too. Don't know how many dents I put in the roof of my pre air ride 379 pete. I don't miss it though. they handled liek they were on rails but rode like hell


the volvo is the softest ride but it's all over the place and a side wind makes them all but lay over. not for me.

I'll take a long wheelbase 379 pete ultracab any day

 

There are soooo many different things that can contribute to ride quality... it all depends on how the truck is spec'd.

For instance... a truck with less unsprung weight will ride better... lightweight axle tubes, wheel ends, suspension, aluminum wheels, front axle, etc all weigh less and allow the ride to improve. But running lightweight components in a heavy haul environment won't work... for long.

Suspension designs also plays a major role... Peterbilt offers 11 different rear suspensions for the 389 series of trucks... take your pick for your type of operation.

Even such mundane things like air pressure, shock type and brand, position of the fuel tanks, etc. will affect ride quality.

My son's '06 379 has 20" more wheelbase and rides much better than my old 379... even with a 13,500 lb. front axle.

I don't think there is any one answer to your question...

 

Went for a ride in the new 730hp COE Scania absolutely beautiful.






Wouldn't buy one though

 

I don't miss it either but compared to the past all newer trucks aren't bad...lm giving serious thought to buying a Bose seat...I don't want to go back but still laugh at the state of this industry now