How bad is my 04 3500 srw going to sag with a 11.5' camper in the back? The weight is 3700 when it is all loaded up. Any recommendations on what I can do to help it out? Was thinking about airbags, but they don't seem to be all that popular with the 3rd generations.

Thanks
Kris

 

Slap a set of Timbrens under there. The problem isn't going to be sag, it is going to be sway when you go around corners. A set of Timbrens ($144) will help keep you stable around corners, and make it ride better with the camper. In case you don't know, they are a progressive aeon rubber spring that basically looks like a longer bumpstop. They should sit about 3/4" above the contact point, and when you add weight, it starts to support. My pop's old Ram 1500 had them, and you could drive a skid loader to the front of the trailer and the truck wouldn't even think of squatting. They are a great investment. www.timbren.com (or something like that)

 

well she sags a good bit. any thoughts on air bags??

Thanks
kris

 

I like my Timbrens. They are made to keep truck level, prevent 'sag', sway and make the ride more stable. Work great and are good folks to deal with.
I thought about air bags too, but it seems others are having too many problems with them, not recomended, plus they are a lot more expense.

Good Luck,
Kuzz

 

glowball,

Go over to rv.net to the truck camper forum and I think you will get good advice on the air bags. Appears that airbags are common fix for too heavy of a camper.

http://www.rv.net/forum/

 

The camper weighs around 4000lbs so I'm a little leary of those timbrens. I'm not familiar with them, but it seems like they would wear out rubbing on the axle. What kind of ride would I get with those on my truck with a heavy camper in?

Also is there anyone that is happy with the firestone ride rite air bags?

thanks
kris

 

Go for the bags. I got my Ride-Rite bags for $214. Installed them myself in about 2 hours. This gives me the lift I want and allows me to adjust them when I want. I may put Timbrens on the front
For another $250-$350 I could put the automatic bags on but what the heck I prefer to set the ride myself.

 

i have timbrens on my truck, the timbrens are rated for 6000 lbs.,and add great sway control,and they won't affect the ride when empty.i can't see where they would wear out.they sit on a flat plate that comes with the kit..... .....just my .02 cents.

 

Why/how does a 3500 with a 3700 pound trailer sag at all? The 3500 has the overload springs and 3700 pounds is really not a lot at all...

 

Because an eleven and a half foot camper sitting in the bed of a pickup truck that weighs about 3700 pounds is the same as having 3700 pounds of pin weight. Most pickups would sag a bit under almost 4 thousand pounds in the bed - even my old F350 CC had a little.

Even my little 2500 sags a couple of inches when I hook up my boat trailer having around 600 pounds of tongue weight.

 

Oh I misread...camper! I was thinking travel trailer... sorry guys.