Anti-sway bars ??

martyn8677 wrote:
I just bought a used 2011 Ford f350 and to my surprise, it does not have sway bars.

Yep, I had the same surprise - that's what got this discussion going. So far, I am hearing some good reasons to add sway bars. I'm lucky that my truck is not my daily driver ---- I have a Prius as my carbon off-set, so the empty ride/feel of the sway bars hopefully won't be much of an issue.

A lot of good information here and I really appreciate all of the experience and knowledge that has been shared on this topic.

Grant.

Super_Dave wrote:
I don't think we are talking about subjects that have an absolute "right".

Manufacturer published minimum specs aren't "right"?

I don't think we are talking about subjects that have an absolute "right".

Super_Dave wrote:
I think I've owned my truck and camper long enough to rule out luck. Much like the subject of sway bars, just because one guys needs one, it doesn't mean everyone needs one. I wouldn't dispute that someone else had a bag failure but I'd stop short of saying that everyone will have a failure.

Same can be said for any and everything, it comes to to proper maintenance and use.

I know people that go years without oil changes and never have an issue, does that make it right?

I think I've owned my truck and camper long enough to rule out luck. Much like the subject of sway bars, just because one guys needs one, it doesn't mean everyone needs one. I wouldn't dispute that someone else had a bag failure but I'd stop short of saying that everyone will have a failure.

languiduck wrote:
If they go empty on you, it is possible you will be buying a replacement bag. When empty, they do make the ride harsh because there is always pressure in them.
I like the Stable Loads from Torklift.

If you can feel 5psi in the bags on a 3/4 or 1 ton truck then you are very very sensitive. I can't tell a difference in ride if I am at 10 psi or less, but above 10 psi the ride decreases very rapidly with an empty truck.

I like the upper Stable Loads, but would never touch the lower ones. They put the spring in an unnatural position, which leads to spring fatigue. Consider that Tork Lift adds a spring warranty. Why would they warranty an item then didn't make, sell, or install?? Sure its covered, but why increase the chance of a spring failure or issue.

Super_Dave wrote:
I believe that this is a myth or applies to trucks with weak springs or get heavily loaded while the bags are empty. I use a stem core removal tool on my valves when I'm not running the camper. I have had no problems.

Not a myth, you are just lucky. Go look at how little compression room there is for your airbags with a static suspension. The 5psi keeps the bag from bottoming out in normal driving.

That is definitely not a myth. You've either been lucky or you have enough distance between the mounting surfaces that it keeps your bags stretch out so they don't rub on the themselves. Been there, done that.

You have to run a minimum air pressure at all times or you risk hurting the bags. If they go empty on you, it is possible you will be buying a replacement bag. When empty, they do make the ride harsh because there is always pressure in them.

I believe that this is a myth or applies to trucks with weak springs or get heavily loaded while the bags are empty. I use a stem core removal tool on my valves when I'm not running the camper. I have had no problems.

If the weight rating of your tires will hold up the weight of the camper I would not think twice of just going and bringing it home.

We did the same thing, about a 1500 mile drive. If you don't like the handling just slow down somewhat.
By the time you get home you will have an idea what you do or don't like about the handling.

We started with Stable Loads, this removed 75% of the rolling from side to side and took out any sagging in the rear as the springs compressed when loaded...

Next came Bilstein 5100 shocks, this made it ride better than the stock shocks.


Next came 19.5 inch wheels and michelin XD2 tires, this added peace of mind.... The LT tires at 3750 pounds would support the load , but the sidewalls were too soft and bulged out excessively, I was afraid of ripping them out on sharp rocks.,..
Commercial tires will give you a straight, strong sidewall...
The ride is worse, the noise is worse depending on the thread and the truck front end takes more abuse.


Next came the Bigwig rear sway bar...
This was the best modification by far for handling. The load is now very stiff on cornering as well when walking around in the camper it does not move anymore.

The empty ride of the old Dodge with tissue paper frame is much better with the rear bar.

The best mod would be to buy a dually and avoid all the time and expense of the above, plus if you want to go to a larger camper someday it might carry it.

martyn8677 wrote:


This is a logical approach, but here is MY dilemma. I am going to be driving to pick up the camper I eventually choose. It will be empty, so should be in the dry weight range of 3,500 lbs. This is right at my GVWR and falls within the specs of my current wheels and tires. Should I roll the dice and bring the camper home with NO mods (stock OEM shocks, no rear sway bar, no Stable Loads?)

Yes, you should go pick it up with no mods. It isn't rolling the dice, and you aren't going to burst in to flames and kill a school bus full of kids because you haven't modded your truck with all the latest and greatest. Go pick it up, drive it home, be sensible, and get a feel for what you like and don't like and then you'll have more information on how you want to proceed.
I did just that. Then I asked a lot of questions and received a lot of input that varied from wild suggestions (such as buy a new truck, buy a different camper, chop the rear of my bed off, buy whole new spring packs for the rear axle) to a suggestion of doing nothing. You have to sort through the feedback to figure out what is best for you. In the end I went with a big rear sway bar. Chances are that you will too. You'll be able to figure out whether you want some help with load carrying issues and which way to go.

Now having said that I will provide my opinion on a couple things.
I do agree that Rancho 9000s are very overrated. Those silly adjustable shocks aren't really all that adjustable and I suspect placebo plays a big part in it. I do like the Bilstein 5100s.
I ended up with the Big Wig rear sway bar and the Hellwig front swaybar too. Not really a huge difference in the front but the rear was night and day. They do not make my truck ride bad. But they sure do make it handle 200% better, empty or loaded!
I do not like airbags. Inflating and deflating them is a pain. You have to run a minimum air pressure at all times or you risk hurting the bags. If they go empty on you, it is possible you will be buying a replacement bag. When empty, they do make the ride harsh because there is always pressure in them.
I like the Stable Loads from Torklift.
I also like the Roadmaster Active Suspension. But I'm thinking of going the Timbren route lately.