Just loaded my Truck Camper, On a 2002 3/4 ton EC 4x4.
It has 4 leaf springs, no overloads,

Truck sits level, but springs are almost flat,
Little to heavy???

Probably install a rear sway bar ,

Air Bags or an extra leaf, or (?)

Have been runing air bags on previous truck, but it was a
1 ton dually, no probalem with load,
Like the air bags but do not like drilling a bunch of holes in the frame.....

Any reccomendations ???

 

I think you'll be happiest with the air bags. You can crank 'em up for the camper, but air them down when you're empty and retain the ride quality you have now. With the dually, you were probably just resting on the overloads. Definitely snag up a sway bar if you can. They added them to the 'camper special' trucks for a reason.

 

This is kinda off topic, but why do some 2500's have overloads and some dont? I have them on my truck, but a friend of mine with a 02 doesnt.

 

That was an option. The camper package came with overloads and a rear swaybar.

 

I have a heavey camper 3200 lbs dry. I have air bags and have had this all over mountain roads with no problems. I like them as compared to the extra spring leaf. I don't have a sway bar either. I have it licensed for 11000 lbs. With water and fuel full, and 2 occupants I am at about 10,300 lbs.

 

Why don't you get a truck up to the job?? Your 3/4 ton is overweight! with that size slide in you must have a 1 ton dually or bigger!

 

You are overweight as said before, and no mods can really change that. However, if you're gonna keep the truck you have, I would definitely go with the air bags. They are the best thing for your situation hands down. With the Firestone Ride-Rites you should not have to drill any holes in your frame at all. They are a bolt on installation. They improve ride height, handling, and you retain your stock ride quality when empty!!

 

Thanks all ( except the weight police ) ?

Yellow lab, No holes, sounds good,,

Have to give them a call....

 

I think the 02 is still a frame drill operation. Not a bad thing if you look at the holes Dodge puts in there plus the frame shape adds a lot of extra strength & rigidness.

 

called firestone, gotta drill 4 holes and cut liner.

holes ok, cutting liner seems like a pain.

maybe air shocks, only slightly low in back,
I think a sway bar and air shocks will do it....

 

Weight Police here;

I got to tell you a very good buddy was running a small 1800 lb slide in on a 1/2 ton a few years ago, he installed air bags and got her level, and all seemed well till he hit a pothole, blew out a tire not rated for the weight and rolled the truck and camper killing his wife and daughter.

You decide if it is worth it.

 

I agree you're overweight. Air bags will help with suspesion problems but it won't help the other parts of your truck that hold the wieght. Whether you like it or not it's a fact that you just have to deal with. Dodge, puts wieght limits on these trucks for a reason.

 

Not trying to hijack the thread but what is a good weight to run on the 3/4 ton? I have a 2,000 slide in...to heavy?

 

My '99 has two overload springs, but two of my buddys have 02's and theirs only have one overload spring.

 

My wife blew a tire in her small car after hitting a pot hole. So it can happen at any wieght. But if one is going to haul loads they have to be responsible and check that the tires and other parts are up to the job. In good condition and certified for the job. My tires are rated for over 3000 lbs each.And I am quite sure that if I was to go 3500 lbs on them they would not blow me off the planet.It would not suprise me to see that the tires are good for another 50% more weight. Not that I will take them there but that is how engeneers work. They don't run any design at full capacity.