What do you all suggest as far as sway bars in the rear (or other ideas for stabilization). I have never had a handeling issue and drive 80 mph much of the time but I have never had an emergency situation that really tested the suspension. The camper loading document in my vehicles tells me I can only carry a camper weighting 1100 lbs and mine is well over 3000 lbs. I added the air bags to assist but would still like to provide additional support. (the airbags claim to support 5000 lbs but Firestone also says not to exceed the manufacturers GVWR) I have the Firestone bags with compressor and gauges and controls mounted in my dash. I find them somewhat useful when leveling my camper.

 

Driving 80 with a 3000+ pound camper and expecting the vehicle to react positively when asked to, is asking allot. Regardless of suspension changes, there is too much weight, too high on the vehicle for good handling. I see the camper top drops down to lower your center of gravity, but all the weight is still at least at bed height. I would suggest slowing down a bit for safety sake.

Just my humble, unasked for, opinion.

 

I installed a Helwig sway bar on my truck. It helped for cornering some. I also have the same bags you have. I don't drive past 75 mph & then only on the interstate when the rd is banked well, or straight. No matter what you want for handling you are going to be top heavy, & brakes challenged with a camper in the box. Drive accordingly. I am looking for some one to trade axles, etc to convert to a dually. Just 'cause I want some spare tires built in on the rear.

 

If you have too much air in the bags & your overloads are not engaged you will get sway. I have air bags & added stable loads to engage the overloads which took the sway out. Heres a link http://www.torklift.com/p.php?w_page=stableload

I too would suggest slowing down. It isn't how fast you can go down the road with a load, but how well you can stop in an emergency with that weight.

 

Tankeryanker: My truck doesn't appear to have the standard overload springs that are shown when I bring up the stableload side you suggested. I do have a flat spring on the the bottom of my regular springs that doesn't engage the main springs till the main springs deflect alot during loading. It doesn't look like stableload would work on my truck. I'll take a picture if that would help.

 

Did they change the overload springs to be more like the Ford & Chevy's for that year Dodge? Look at the ones for Ford & Chevy & see if that spring pack looks like yours.

 

Tankeryanker: You are correct. Mine looks more like the one for Chevy. I called the company and was told that they don't currently have a set to fit my vehicle cause my overloads don't have a hole in them to accept the bolt but they are working on one.

 

I too haul a pretty heavy (+/- 3000K) slide in camper. I initially went with Timbrens because of the cost and love em. I was still getting some side-to-side sway so I installed a Hellwig anti-sway bar and that thing really did the trick, cheap too. Little bit later I replaced my factory shocks with some Billstein 4600's and no matter what I threw at it, I was still exceeding the total overall weight rating of the E rated tires which when combined total about 4800-5000 lbs over the rear axle. If i'm not mistaken, the rear axle is rated at or around 9000lbs. 19.5's were the answer for me, the 14 ply 4500lb rated tires really helped.

Hope this helps.

 

I have airlift bags and plain factory suspension on my dually. My camper weighs in at 3500. I would like a rear sway bar, but don't find it an absolute necessity.

The real question: What is your axle ratings?

Tony

 

Tony: I wonder how I could find what my axle is rated for?

 

I looked into that a few years ago, & found that AAM rates the single wheel axle for 8K#. Of course Dodge only rates it for 6K# tho.

 

It's on the door sticker, listed at GAWR. Gross Axle Weight Rating Granted, that's Dodge's rating, which may be less than AAM.

Tony

 

tankeryanker -
when empty, do the stableloads change your ride? i am going to be putting airbags in my truck in sig shortly and was going to remove the overloads when putting the bags on . . .

 

If it's a 2500 it didn't come with overloads. A set of Rancho 9000's will kill the sway and give you much more stability. The stock suspension is pitifully weak on a 2500. I'm running a combo of Lorenz,Thuren and Carli stuff.

 

my 2500 came with factory overloads . . . but this was before they offered the 3500 in a SRW version.