Just bought a 9.5' extended camper that weighs 2900 lbs. Installed Firestone airbags but the swaying is just terrible. I was told the airbags would stop it but I think they made it worse. Will a sway bar solve this problem, and any particular brand best? Rear suspension is stock 2500 4x4

 

I would check a few things...such as...
The ply rating on the 315's and if the sidewall is soft, that will add to the sway.
2" lift...higher center of gravity on top of it being 4x4...more sway.
Perhaps too much air in the bags? What PSI are you running?
What kind of shocks? Stock are not real good from the start when loaded.
Tire pressure?

Thats about all I can think of that could effect it this way.

Scotty

 

The problem isn't the tires. I can rock the whole truck and camper side to side with very little effort. I am running 70 psi in the bags, just enough to get original ride height. The shocks are stock. Will sway bars help with this. Thanks for the help

 

What was the tongue weight. Should be #300 at least at the truck, I always thought it was 10-15% of trailer weight. With your lift & wheels may want a little more weight on the tongue. I am shocked that light of a trailer could sway your truck that much .

 

First of all, Are we talking about a slide in camper or a tag trailer?

Now, here is why Scotty asked about the tires.... What brand are they? The reason that I ask is because only certain manufacturers make a 10 ply 315/35. I know the load rating on the tires is probably very close, but the sidewall plys are what could be missing and causing the sway. My BFG's made me feel like I was driving a boat, but as soon as I put the TOYO's on it was as solid as a rock!

Also, does the truck have the factory camper/tow package? If it does you should already have a rear sway bar. If not, then I would say a Hellwig is in your best interest.

 

You might consider some coil-over shocks to help control the load. I doubt the standard shocks can handle a camper. Even the front shocks may require an upgrade to a premium gas-charged type for more control.

Load range E tires might be called for depending on the weight of camper. They can do a lot to stabilize the side sway and even help the 'tippy' feeling of a camper. What's the maximum pressure that's allowed for the air bags? As they are already installed I'd play with that adjustment until you're sure it won't solve the problem and then look to other options such as coil-overs and beefier front shocks.

A sway bar helps to prevent sway from side to side, and also helps with the truck's tipping from side to side. I'd try different shocks first, as it's cheaper, but if money isn't a big issue I would install sway bars also. Every little bit helps.

JimmieD

 

Lurker here....

I had the same problem on my 2500. Same setup, Firestone airbags, 315 BFG AT's, and stock shocks.

I found that removing the one way gas charged shocks and replacing them with adjustable Rancho 2 way gas charged, stopped it almost entirely. My personal opinion is, that the one way shocks are pushing against the airbags and end up creating sway because they are constatly pushing the shock to extension.

While the 2 way shocks act as a dampner.

This is just my opinion, but it did make a huge difference.

 

Good points about the shocks. I have the Bilsteins on my truck.
2900 pounds and single rear tires in a D rating will also add to some of that sway.
I would try airing the bags down a bit even it it takes you off the level ride height to see if there is just a bit too much buoyancy with 70 psi.
Try airing up the tires front and rear a bit too.

You might find an improvement. However, and this is not to tell you what to do...the tires you have are known for a softer sidewall. Sounds like its a combination of several factors.
shocks
tires
tire pressure
air bag pressure

Let us know how you do with it.

Scotty

 

I have a slide in 12 foot. I have Firestone air bags set at 70 psi load range e michelins 245/16 set to 80 psi. Rancho 9000 shocks if i don't set the shocks to one setting under the hardest it will sway. If I set them to the hardest setting it is a bit too choppy of a ride. So I would suggest getting the Ranchos. I drive alot through the mountains. I have no problems with sway.

 

Kinda funny, but when I was posting I was thinking "...get Rancho's..." but didn't say it! Now that it's been said, I agree ha ha! I've never heard anything but good about them.

 

If you air up to much, The air bags raise the truck off the bottom spring, ( or overload springs ) this causes more sway(roll).
Look at your springs, if there not compressed, you are riding on the air bags. You will probably need a SWAY bar,

I am in the process of " tuning " my 2002 3/4 4x4,
285 michlin M& S tires 3k-3.3k scale weight )

I did not want to drill holes for air bags so I Installed a superspring for weight, helped a little , but way to much side to side roll.
Added the Hellwig sway bar ,took out a lot of sway/roll out but not as solid as I would like.

Next,Bilsten' shocks in back ( factory were BAD ) stiffened up
some more, But I still have more roll and overload bounce than I would like.

I may have to remove the superspring and add a leaf, or go to the factory overload springs ( probably the best approach).

In Hind sight I Probably should have started with the Air Bags , sway bar and shocks, as previous 2 trucks worked very well that way.

 

Go with an "E" rated tire,install the Hellwig anti-sway,Firestone-Ride Rites,Rancho 9000's or say to heck with it and buy a real slide-in hauler: a DUALLY!

 

Thanks for all the opinions. We are talking about a slide in camper. First of all I wanted a dually but I can only afford one truck and I go off road quite a bit so decided on a single rear wheel. Second, maybe swaying wasn't the right term, it tips side to side and I'm not quite sure what the term for that is. I just went out and looked and my springs they are not compressed so I am riding on the bags. I do have a 2" blocks in the back, should I remove them? When I push on one side I can get it rocking rather easy and it is all in the springs, the tires are not doing a thing. I think I will start with the Rancho shocks and go from there. Thanks again and I would apreciate any more suggestions

 

Air the bags down to where the springs are compressed, try the rocking test, It should be better.

Sway bars will help but not fix the problem completly.

It appears you do not have helper springs, (The extra springs on top that contact the bump stops on the side of the frame).
If you do have helper springs, they should be in contact with stops. Than there should be less rocking motion.

I am experiencing the same problem, As I stated , I will
probably add the factory overloads...

Also , Timbrens are an option, they are rubber donuts that
are similar to air bags but very solid, I have used them but
found the "unloaded "ride to Harsh

? You say the camper is 2900 lbs, Is this the sticker weight or
"scale " weight?

 

I had exactly the same problem with my '02 2500 4x4, and solved it, partly by the above - Rancho 9000's, heavier duty tires, I carry 100# in the airbags, and blocked my springs to preload the overloads. Can't believe the difference. Take a look at the page I built on this.

www.biglar.homestead.com/springsupport.html.

The camper I have had for more than 50,000 of those miles weighs more than yours......those supports have been in there for about 80,000 miles now, and I wouldn't be without them. I also added the steel front end support recently (DSS ??) and am amazed at the difference.

Lar.