“Heavy” Throttle pedal = back pain

[Nubs1094]

My back starts to hurt about 1.5 hours into a trip. I’m wondering if it’s from the effort it takes to apply constant pressure on the throttle pedal.

Is there a way to adjust the pedal weight like you would the trigger on a firearm?

I just got back from a ~500 mile each way camping trip. When I use cruise control it offers some relief. It also helps to do exercises. I keep a heavy resistance band near my seat and do “deadlifts” when I stop for gas or anything else, this helps engage the posterior chain.

 

[Rick3478]

My back starts to hurt about 1.5 hours into a trip. I’m wondering if it’s from the effort it takes to apply constant pressure on the throttle pedal.

Is there a way to adjust the pedal weight like you would the trigger on a firearm?

I just got back from a ~500 mile each way camping trip. When I use cruise control it offers some relief. It also helps to do exercises. I keep a heavy resistance band near my seat and do “deadlifts” when I stop for gas or anything else, this helps engage the posterior chain.

This may sound silly but -- wear heavier shoes?

I get where you're coming from, though. AFAIK there is no adjustment on these.
If you're handy, you might be able to fabricate a spring from lighter gauge wire and substitute it for the original. Liability and warranty considerations may apply.

 

[beetlespin]

Cruise control and don't skip legs on workout day.

 

[1BADRAMLIMITED]

Sounds like u need to have a talk with your primary care provider

 

[Nubs1094]

ok, thanks all. I’ve got some known disc issues, and I NEVER skip leg day

 

[scottmoyer]

Are you sure it's the pedal pressure causing the issue? Many have mentioned how they have lower back pain after driving for awhile in these trucks. I also had this in the early days and figured it was the angle of my seat cushion under the knees. I found that removing any lumbar in the back and angling the lower seat cushion slightly forward, rather than backwards, cleared this up for me. I drove about 400 miles recently in one day and my only pain was in the bladder as 32oz drinks required breaks.

 

[Wild Bill]

I suffer from pain in my right hip after an hours drive.
I use a seat pad similar to this one & find it helps a lot.
I position the pad so it is under just my right butt cheek. A seat pad may give you some relief...
A Google search on truck seat pads will give you thousands of results.
Your mileage WILL vary...

 

[HSKR R/T]

It's an electronic drive by wire. Not sure if there is a spring on the gas pedal that could be replaced or not. Setting cruise is your best bet. I use cruise any chance I can.

As other have mentioned, seat position might play a part. Some have gotten good results from adding the desert does it seat jackers to get more tilt, others have found mess tilt helps. Just need rokokay around and see what works best for you

 

[1BADRAMLIMITED]

RAM needs to copy fords massage seats!

 

[HSKR R/T]

RAM needs to copy fords massage seats!

They have them

 

[Insanity]

Long story short i owned a 05 2500 diesel it was not comfortable. I had my seat seat like any youngn would leaned back. That left me leaning forward to drive. It caused all kinds of back pain if I had to drive more than 50 miles. I had both rear brakes **** the bed like all 4 pads shucked the material and its was metal on metal. I did not have time to fix it myself so I took it to a shop I trusted. New calipers rotors and pads later i was fixed up.

The mechanic did his job very well. He only changed one thing about my seat that I didn't even notice. He sat it more up right it barely made me think something was off. After that I did not have any pain from driving to include nearly 600 miles without ever getting out of that seat.

I think you need to adjust your seat and if needed add support. The pedal is not causing you to have back pain your seating posture is. If you are snuggled into your seat how you should be the only thing that should be tired or sore is your right ankle from footing it.

 

[SKT Customs]

Probably can’t adjust the pedal, but I also have chronic back pain from herniated discs & 2 spine surgeries and I gotta tell ya - ‘Desert Does It’ brand “Seat Jackers” help me a ton! They prop the front of the seat up to give you more leg support than what’s possible stock and it really does help with leg pain and sciatica in my experience. I even just filmed a YouTube video today discussing my top 5 favorite mods on the truck and the Seat Jackers made the list!

 

[1BADRAMLIMITED]

Probably can’t adjust the pedal, but I also have chronic back pain from herniated discs & 2 spine surgeries and I gotta tell ya - ‘Desert Does It’ brand “Seat Jackers” help me a ton! They prop the front of the seat up to give you more leg support than what’s possible stock and it really does help with leg pain and sciatica in my experience. I even just filmed a YouTube video today discussing my top 5 favorite mods on the truck and the Seat Jackers made the list!

hit 31 and diagnosed with sciatica this year. im starting to notice more and more people have it, who wants to help me make a forum for sciatic nerve survivors?

 

[1BADRAMLIMITED]

They have them

really what trim? or what years did they introduce them?

 

[HSKR R/T]

really what trim? or what years did they introduce them?

2023 Limited and above

 

[BigHornDaddy318]

My back starts to hurt about 1.5 hours into a trip. I’m wondering if it’s from the effort it takes to apply constant pressure on the throttle pedal.

Is there a way to adjust the pedal weight like you would the trigger on a firearm?

I just got back from a ~500 mile each way camping trip. When I use cruise control it offers some relief. It also helps to do exercises. I keep a heavy resistance band near my seat and do “deadlifts” when I stop for gas or anything else, this helps engage the posterior chain.

How about the Pulsar piggyback tuner set up? It’s basically plug and play and has different power levels that change the throttle response?

 

[Darksteel165]

Barely need to even touch the pedal if you use a Pedal Commander on Sport +4.
That said good luck taking turns from a complete stop without spinning in a circle LOL.

Have you considered you left foot?
My body wasn't feeling good on long trips without a dead pedal. I ended up putting one in and now it's way better, I can put lots of weight on my left foot and just let my right foot pivot on the pedal.

 

[Nubs1094]

How about the Pulsar piggyback tuner set up? It’s basically plug and play and has different power levels that change the throttle response?

Barely need to even touch the pedal if you use a Pedal Commander on Sport +4.
That said good luck taking turns from a complete stop without spinning in a circle LOL.

Have you considered you left foot?
My body wasn't feeling good on long trips without a dead pedal. I ended up putting one in and now it's way better, I can put lots of weight on my left foot and just let my right foot pivot on the pedal.

I was curious about the tuners, but that won’t change the pedal effort, right? There would still need to be X-lbs of force applied to maintain speed. I went out and pushed on it last night with my hand… it’s got a surprisingly stout resistance, we just don’t seem to notice because we use our feet.

This may sound silly but -- wear heavier shoes?

I get where you're coming from, though. AFAIK there is no adjustment on these.
If you're handy, you might be able to fabricate a spring from lighter gauge wire and substitute it for the original. Liability and warranty considerations may apply.

lol
You’re right, the spring is inside the pedal assembly, no adjustment.

 

[Davidbt]

I would just like to mention the thickness of your wallet could play a role. I know that removing my wallet has helped me on long drives.

 

[Dewey]

I would just like to mention the thickness of your wallet could play a role. I know that removing my wallet has helped me on long drives.

Sounds funny but true