99 24 valve..
if my trucks back end dragging when my camper is on, is my engine working harder ??
If I had air bags and made the truck level while camper on it, would my engine not work as hard if the back end was not dragging ?

 

I don't think it would make the engine's job any less. I do think it would make the steering, suspension, and headlights' jobs easier, as well as making the drive more comfortable. They won't allow you to carry any more weight legally, but they will make you "look" more legal if the DOT happens to be out prowling for loads that look obviously too heavy.

 

we have bags on a work truck, they work pretty well, found them on amazon for 300 or so... 5,000 capacity

 

The only additional stress placed on the engine with that kinda weight is the weight itself which the engine has to move and the additional wind resistance. But to answer your question.....no there's no stress on the engine just because the back end is sagging down.

That said, as pointed out by torquefan, driving like that will affect headlights (which could be a DOT issue if they're blinding oncoming drivers), steering as the caster will be greatly exaggerated, and rear suspension not being able to absorb road bumps. So if you plan on hauling heavy loads in the bed and the factory springs arent handling the load then look into some airbags or some Timbrens.

 

I'll second what these guys have said.

I'm running airbags on my '08 and honestly the biggest comfort is the ride. I don't have the up/down bounce, and I don't have any side to side with it. You feel much more stable at highway speeds, and IMHO, this makes driving a lot less tiresome.

The other benefits are headlights (you won't have to adjust them with a load, and adjust them back once the load is gone), and you won't have the front end floating issues that make steering/braking a nightmare.





-Kris