Packard Forum Index » General

Saw an advertisement from Dodge or Ram trucks today proclaiming a new feature on their pickup trucks. A self leveling bed! Truely what is old is now new! :)

Every generation has their innovation... and the millennials... well they "invent"

And no.... I'm gen x

I tend to follow activities of Ram as a son uses a heavy duty pickup in his hauling business, in this case an air bag system to assist the springs after you've loaded your Packard(s) on to your trailer.

I had a '69 El Camino with air shocks used to level it after loading the bed. Nothing new or inventive, it's been done for decades. Packard's Torsion Level suspension was much different and innovative. JWL

Remember the GM cars in, I think it was 57 or 58, where they tried to match Packards self leveling with air bags. Worked so well many were recalled and fitted with conventional springs after one too many times the car was found sitting lowrider style in the driveway or would be going down the road and suddenly start scraping pavement.

The Ram claim of inventing someting is nothing new. After all, Chrysler advertised their new gas saving "invention" in the 70s right after the oil crisis. That new "invention" turned out to be a lockup torque converter. Guess no one told them Packard's Ultramatic and Stude's Automatic Drive both had that feature in the early 50s long before Chrysler. I guess it is only fitting a division of the old Chrysler now has "invented" self leveling truck beds.

My 1935 has factory ride control (and no airbags). All these new vehicles come out with start buttons, Packard had that in the 30's as well. Theres nothing new under the sun; all that's old is new and what new is old.