Thread: Suspension Question

Just got back from the inaugural run with our new- to- us camper. It was great but I think I need to change the suspension a little to clear up some mushiness while using the slide in. I wonder if I should go with an add a leaf set up, air bags or just put one ton springs on it and be done.

I have a 00 F250 CC SB Super duty with a bone stock everything. The camper is a slide in pop top that goes 1550 lbs with water and propane and a probably a few hundred pounds of wood, food and clothes. We do pretty much state park camping and an occasional run into semi secluded almost off road areas. Like steep rutted out fire road stuff.

I figure as long as I am doing the rear I might as well level the front too, any ideas from the pros?

I have set up a few trucks with air bags so the truck still rides nice when not using the camper. Be sure to hook the bags independently so when one bag gets pushed hard it doesn't push the air into the other bag and make it worse than it really is. There are air bags for the front that also help I have a F350 set on the front of my F450 because I took a leaf spring out to help the ride.

Just my $.02 worth

I have air bags on my Excursion and am really happy with how they work.

Air bags should clear that spongy, saggy-ness right up. Not too much cash for a good kit, and easy to use. Set them at 5psi with nothing in the truck and you won't even know that their there. Put a load on the truck and then pump them up til the truck is level again - good to go. In my opinion, they are a must have if you are putting that kind of weight in the bed of your truck. Hope this helps.

Any input on brands? JC Whitney sells Air Ride for not a whole lot of money, but I would rather pay more to get the right stuff the first time and not have to rip out a crappy set up and start over. (4 Wheel Parts Wholesaler sells the same brand for a little more)

I've got air rides and like them. No problems.

the Firestone units are good... thats what i would use

i had the air-rides...never again.jmho thought. go firestone for sure.

Firestone and Airlift are both good brands, either one would be a good choice, the difference for me is Airlift is in stock and available, whereas we have to order Firestone, Airlift also offers a lifetime warranty on their kit, and it doesnt matter if you run their compressor or not, still lifetime warranty. As far as people who have had poor experience with air lift, I've been doing the aftermarket gig for a few years now, have taken back a few 1/2 ton bags, they are thinner and single chamber, but not the 3/4 and 1 ton bags, they are thicker dual chamber units, unless they were installed improperly, I have never seen a failure. Not a sponsor yet, so I dont want to plug us too bad but here's my advice on pricing: if you walk into any retail store, 10 times out of 10 they will price match whatever you find on the internet, like JCWhitney.com, all you have to do is ask.

Trevor

Originally Posted by usedcarr

Just got back from the inaugural run with our new- to- us camper. It was great but I think I need to change the suspension a little to clear up some mushiness while using the slide in. I wonder if I should go with an add a leaf set up, air bags or just put one ton springs on it and be done.

I have a 00 F250 CC SB Super duty with a bone stock everything. The camper is a slide in pop top that goes 1550 lbs with water and propane and a probably a few hundred pounds of wood, food and clothes. We do pretty much state park camping and an occasional run into semi secluded almost off road areas. Like steep rutted out fire road stuff.

I figure as long as I am doing the rear I might as well level the front too, any ideas from the pros?

You've gotten good advice on the air bags, but along with those you might consider a rear anti-sway bar, if you're truck isn't equipped with one. This will help with the slide-in camper, since they will raise your center of gravity. A higher CG will make the truck want to lean over in curves, the anti-sway bar will help with that.

Thanks for all the input guys, I am going to order some Firestones right now.

A big thanks to all who helped me out with this project. I got a set of Firestone air bags from 4 Wheel Parts Wholesalers in Thousand Oaks. Put them on right before a 3000+ mile road trip up into Montana and back through Oregon to SoCal. Loved the difference! Especially going over all the mountain ranges we did. I was way more rested and ready for fun not having to wrestle the truck swaying back and forth. Set the bags to 80psi and barely even felt the camper back there. Thanks again for the advice. Good call.

Now check all the bolts again

I working on an Ex deal, but I just found out that an Ex can not change the hith on it? Does that even sound possible. I have looked all over the net to see if anyone sales them and I can not find one?

Does anyone know how much tongue wieght they can handle with distrabution? My trailer has 1,350 lbs tongue wieght.

Thank you!