Arctic Fox 990 Owners

So how far off the overload spring do you want these to sit when unloaded?

Thanks for all the input. Looks like the vote is not to get the air bags. Guess I will see how it sits on the truck & see how it drives. If it passes the test, I will run it as is, if it needs a little something, I will try the Stableloads. I think the 990 will be about 500-600 lbs heavier than my Lance & it seemed to ride as solid as a rock for the past 10 years. Hopefully that won't change much with the 990.

Big Rig

homefor2 wrote:
I have a 3500 dually 4x4 and a 990. I would recommend the stable loads or make your own version to engage the overloads early. Makes a big difference to stability. Don't waste money on air bags unless you find the rig tilts to one side too much. I also think good shocks are worth having like Bilsteins. Some say a rear sway bar but so far I'm happy with the mods I have made. An exhaust brake is a fantastic add on and I would not want to be without it.

Love the 990 and it's very functional layout. More storage would be nice but learning to carry less junk is also something I am learning. A lot of things you take along don't get used and are unnecessary. The large holding tanks are fantastic if you want to boondock. I also like the two 30 lb. propane tanks.

One thing I don't like is not having a comfortable place to spend time inside the camper. We don't like the settee for long evenings inside when the weather is bad. I know you can't expect to have matching Lazy Boy recliners in a camper so we just accept it.

x2 air bags are a waste, stable loads and big wig sway bar

cojab wrote:

insp1505 wrote:
I had an Arctic Fox 1150 on my 05 Dodge dually and all I needed were stable-loads. That's all I'd use if I had your set-up. Stable-loads are really easy to home-make for our Dodges too if you want to save the money. I have $10 in materials plus about 2 hours of easy labor building them.

Do you have a link or a write up on this?

I didn't do a write up but here is a picture. I spent $10 on the heavy wall square tubing then spent a few hours cutting it into 4 pieces, drilling the appropriate holes and welding on the extra piece of metal for the additional height I wanted. You also have to make some sort of provision to keep it from spinning on the single mounting bolt. I welded on the nut you see on the top to keep it from spinning.

I used the lock nuts with the nylon inserts for all the mounting and have never had one come loose or fall off. I think lock washers and plain nuts could work loose over time from all the vibration.



I don't think I need them for my Northern Lite camper and when the truck is unloaded they hit hard on bumpy roads making for a harsh ride. I might take them off to see how my new camper sits without them but they definitly help with the Arctic Fox.

CumminsDriver wrote:

cojab wrote:

insp1505 wrote:
I had an Arctic Fox 1150 on my 05 Dodge dually and all I needed were stable-loads. That's all I'd use if I had your set-up. Stable-loads are really easy to home-make for our Dodges too if you want to save the money. I have $10 in materials plus about 2 hours of easy labor building them.

Do you have a link or a write up on this?

Here's the homemade overload bumpstops. Use 2" x 2" square tubing. Remove the stock bumpstop (One nut on top of the spring contact), and cut the 2" square tubing to fit between the tabs as seen in the picture. Drill holes in the top and bottom of the spacer for the rubber pad to bolt to, and to bolt the whole assembly back to the frame contact. This will leave approximately 1" space between the spring and the rubber spring contact, instead of the 3" the truck had from the factory. It makes a big difference for stability.


Hope this helps.

Rich

Thank You Sir.

Have you seen the picture of the AF with the screw drilled through the 10 gauge generator supply wire and the failed poor welds? I would be worried about AF quality

This is a great way to save the overpriced aftermarket bump stops. I had the home made one's too until one fell off and was lost while I was travelling AZ this winter. I didn't want the hassle of trying to find a factory pad and fabricate the necessary part so I opted for the easy and expensive Torklift Stable loads. They both work the same. My wallet is lighter but the truck rides perfect now.

cojab wrote:

insp1505 wrote:
I had an Arctic Fox 1150 on my 05 Dodge dually and all I needed were stable-loads. That's all I'd use if I had your set-up. Stable-loads are really easy to home-make for our Dodges too if you want to save the money. I have $10 in materials plus about 2 hours of easy labor building them.

Do you have a link or a write up on this?

Here's the homemade overload bumpstops. Use 2" x 2" square tubing. Remove the stock bumpstop (One nut on top of the spring contact), and cut the 2" square tubing to fit between the tabs as seen in the picture. Drill holes in the top and bottom of the spacer for the rubber pad to bolt to, and to bolt the whole assembly back to the frame contact. This will leave approximately 1" space between the spring and the rubber spring contact, instead of the 3" the truck had from the factory. It makes a big difference for stability.


Hope this helps.

Rich

insp1505 wrote:
I had an Arctic Fox 1150 on my 05 Dodge dually and all I needed were stable-loads. That's all I'd use if I had your set-up. Stable-loads are really easy to home-make for our Dodges too if you want to save the money. I have $10 in materials plus about 2 hours of easy labor building them.

Do you have a link or a write up on this?

I have a 990 on a Ram DRW and we love it. We bought it new and did have a few issues during the first four of five trips, but after getting those worked out things have been good. I have put airbags on the truck as I also pull a trailer of some kind most of the time. If you are just hauling the camper I do not think you need airbags. I have installed a big rear sway bar just to maybe get rid of some sway but have not had the camper on yet to test out. Will be doing that this coming week during spring break to the Oregon Dunes.