Great information on here but I felt like I should make my own post to get the best advice about my entire setup as a whole.Just purchased 2011 Ram 3500 dually crew 4x4 to haul my 05 Arctic Fox 990 and tow an 03 Malibu Sunsetter Lxi(5000 lbs). What is going to be my best setup for suspension upgrades, camper tie downs, and hitch extension?Suspension:Stableloads, Airbags, Timbrens, swaybar, etcAfter doing a lot of reading it sounds like I should try lower quick-disconnect Stableloads first and evaluate if airbags or anything else is needed. I assumed I would need a swaybar, but not many people seem to use them on newer trucks?Hitch extension:The Superhitch is the #1 option, but I would like to go with the cheaper Curt or Reese Class V 2.5" hitch and the accompanying 24-34" extension. The weight capacity of 8,000 lbs will work fine with my boat, although that is for 24" max and I need to make sure a 24" extension is long enough. I want to use as long of an extension as possible to get the boat farthest from the camper door, however an extension that goes past the camper bumper may interfere with using the swing-down step.Tie-downs:I want to intall torklifts, no doubt about it. I am unsure if the R3500 rear tie-downs, which are advertised for aftermarket hitches, will work the Curt or Reese class V hitch. Any experience or suggestions?

You're right about the length of the extension. A few inches is acceptable but it will interfere if any more.Tie it down with a TorkLift system. Frame mounted is the way go with a heavy camper like yours. The Fast Guns are great. Go to their website. They have a video of an off-roader who got too far off road.I have the SuperHitch so can't talk about compatibility with Curt or Reese. A few folks on here have made there own. Go with the SuperHitch and you won't be disappointed and No, I don't work for TorkLift.

Gripnriprod wrote:You're right about the length of the extension. A few inches is acceptable but it will interfere if any more.Tie it down with a TorkLift system. Frame mounted is the way go with a heavy camper like yours. The Fast Guns are great. Go to their website. They have a video of an off-roader who got too far off road.I have the SuperHitch so can't talk about compatibility with Curt or Reese. A few folks on here have made there own. Go with the SuperHitch and you won't be disappointed and No, I don't work for TorkLift.Agree!!! A real person will answer the telephone and will help you with any questions you may have.

I will tell you what I am using(see sig) I have the permanent stable loads installed on top of the factory bump stops (you can do it - the instructions explain how to) and have been very happy. The ride is very good with the camper on it. But I do plan on upgrading the shocks. However - the truck will have a very hard ride when you dont have the camper in it.I also have torklift tie downs and a superhitch with a 48" extension and have been very happy. However - let me give you a suggestion to save you some money and time. The torklift rear tie downs bolt into the same place where the superhitch bolts in (and I suspect every other after market hitch bolts in) However torklift has a version of the rear tiedowns that hook into the superhitch - but they are not the same model as the ones that work without the superhitch. So, (short version) if you plan on getting a superhitch and torklift tiedowns - buy the correct models together the first time (and you wont have an extra pair of rear tie downs laying in the garage.)I have some doubts that any third party hitch will work with the rear torklift tiedowns - as I did not find any that would. YMMVI probably could have gotten away with a 42" extension instead of a 48" extension, but those few extra inches provide just a little bit of extra swing on tight u turns.I have the SpringloadXL from Torklift for tiedowns (instead of the Fastguns) They are basically fancy turnbuckles with springs in them. They are less expensive than the Fastguns, and for the few times I actually have to touch them (about once every two weeks - when I load/unload) they work fine for me. Takes about 30-45 seconds to put each one on/off.

You won't be disappointed w/ the SuperHitch. I went w/ a side entry camper to avoid the problem with the hitch interfering with entry while my boat is hitched.

Pony up the bucks now for the TL/Super Hitch system. You will thank yourself down the road!!!!As far as suspension upgrades, save yourself some money and try it first. I had an 05 CTD dually with a big S&S with a slide out and towed a Jeep on a trailer. The only suspension upgrade I ended up needing was the TL Stable Loads!!! :CI have the TL/Super Hitch system on my present truck. I do a lot of off road and the TL holds my camper down perfect. And the Super Hitch comes in handy for heavier trailers.

2011 Ram dually: best susp. setup, tie-downs & hitch exten?

Jeepers92
Explorer
May 11, 2013
I don't think you will need any suspension upgrades unless you have a really heavy tounge wt. Mine is bone stock and we pull a pontoon all the time. I do have dual trailer tires to lesson my tounge wt. I use factory Hitch which is pretty strong.

My slide does drop the side a bit, don't hurt anything. I have never paid any attention to it.
iwski
Explorer
May 07, 2013
Those of you with a single slide-out: does your truck sit at much of a side-to-side angle due to one side of the camper being heavier (with a slide-out)? On my test fit, my Arctic Fox 990 was 2 1/2" different from side-to-side when I measure from the ground to each side of the camper bumper. My driveway is very uniform and level for the comparison. Wondering if I'm going to want airbags when it is said and done to correct the lean angle.

Was headed the direction of getting lower quick disconnect Stableloads but I asked Torklift if they would be hard to engage and manipulate once they are rusted up after a few years in snow country. They said more than likely the stableloads would be hard to engage. Now back to considering the upper stableloads because they are permanent. I thought the idea of them is they would not engage the overloads until you apply weight to the truck. However, Torklift said on many trucks the upper stableloads engage the overloads when unloaded, which will give you a harsh unloaded ride quality. Am I back to square one? What have you found with your 2010-up Dodge duallies?
iwski
Explorer
May 07, 2013
Thanks for all of your input. The cost difference is just too much to go with the Superhitch, although no doubt it is a superior product. If I were hauling larger trailers I'd do it for sure.

I'm going to go with the Curt or Reese 2 1/2" receiver underneath the factory receiver. I have an old 2" extension that I will modify for use in the factory receiver and I'll tie the two receivers together similar to the superhitch, just for added peace of mind.

An RV dealer who installs extensions told me that sometimes extensions that are less sturdy than the superhitch can flex enough on bumps that trailer surge brakes can get the activate signal and cause your brakes to have momentary activations. Hopefully I can mitigate this by stiffending the Curt extension by connecting another extension in the factory receiver.
-Kevin
Explorer
May 07, 2013
I put the Reese Titan 2 ½” Hitch on my truck, rated for 18k and they have several extensions available, I’ve used the 24”/34” extensions with my 3,500 lb trailer and have been very happy. Plus I saved so much over the Tork Lift stuff I can do more to the truck.
I also put on the R3500 on the titan hitch and it’s a simple drill and bolt deal but I just welded them on because it’s faster and easier.
JacintoKid
Explorer
May 06, 2013
Curt 2.5 hitch / Reese extension. Truck is stock and handles great. The only thing I'm considering adding is a swaybar. You can use a long extension with the Curt hitch and still use the step. The Curt installs below the factory hitch
2BLAZERS
Explorer
May 06, 2013
mooring product wrote:
2BLAZERS wrote:
I am running Firestone incab adjustable airbags....and like them.

So just air bags? No other mods?

lots of mods. Front leveling kit, Adjustable Rancho shocks. Rear sway bar and stable loads too. And the full Superhitch/Torklift system.
mooring_product
Explorer
May 06, 2013
2BLAZERS wrote:
I am running Firestone incab adjustable airbags....and like them.

So just air bags? No other mods?
2BLAZERS
Explorer
May 06, 2013
I am running Firestone incab adjustable airbags....and like them.
mooring_product
Explorer
May 06, 2013
So no one is running bags on these trucks? Just stable loads...
billsnp5
Explorer
May 06, 2013
On the hitch. Curt makes a Class V 17,000 lb hitch that will bolt under the factory hitch on the Dodge. I've used this in the my 2011 and the 2012 3500 to tow my Bass Boat which is a little over 3500lbs, using a 24" extension. I then bolt the factory and the curt hitch together for a very heavy duty setup. You can find this hitch for less than $250. I have less than $350 including extension and ball.

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2011 Ram dually: best susp. setup, tie-downs & hitch exten?

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