F350 anti-sway bar

Hi all, this is my first post here. I've been reading a ton of stuff here the last few months and many thanks to all of you and the info provided on this forum!

Anyhow I just purchased a 99' Lance 1030 and drove it home for the first time a couple of days ago. I have done absolutely nothing in terms of rear suspension upgrades to my truck (05 Dodge Ram 3500 DRW). The ride was pretty rough and stressful so needless to say I'll be fixing this immediately. I was literally minutes away from ordering the Hellwig "Big Wig" rear anti sway bar and some Firestone ride rite airbags. After reading this thread I'm wondering now if I should go with the Roadmaster anti sway bar. I'm finding it at about $130 more then the Hellwig. Why would it be worth the extra cost? Also the front sway bar is brand new so I didn't consider replacing it. It it OEM though so would you all recommend replacing that also? Anything else that I should consider immediately? My thought was that I would start with these 2 upgrades, see how it handles, then go from there. I understand I'm asking peoples opinions and it's not my intention to jack the thread with a brand war. Feel free to PM me if you feel I'm going in that direction. Many thanks!!!

Bedlam wrote:
Since you already have a sway bar, try the taller bump stops first. This will engage your overload springs and increase the progressive spring rate sooner. The ride should be the same unloaded since the bump stops will still be clear of the of the overloads without the weight.

Saturday, I reduced the pressure in the airbags to the minimum recommended 5 psi. The overloads are now within an inch of the bump stops. I drove the rig a short distance, and the difference is remarkable. I think for now, I will use this configuration. If I feel that more improvement is needed, I may try some taller bump stops, but things are so much improved by deleting the effect of the airbags that I may not need anything more (unless DW finds a heavier camper she just has to have when we go to the RV show next week. :W )

Here is a link to the front bar install. Roadmaster did not make a front bar for my 2WD truck. I think the Roadmaster is a little nicer product than the Helwig, but they both work.

Here is a link to my anti-sway bar installation experience, showing the relative differences in stock and aftermarket ('99 F350 dually). Keep in mind that the stiffness of a torsion rod is the 5th power of diameter. I later added the front bar. The two together made by far the most difference in handling, compared to shocks and airbags.

Since you already have a sway bar, try the taller bump stops first. This will engage your overload springs and increase the progressive spring rate sooner. The ride should be the same unloaded since the bump stops will still be clear of the of the overloads without the weight.

We made the trip home with 35 psi in the airbags. The sway was greatly reduced. I might try it with the bare minimum of air in the bags. The overloads are not in contact with the bump stops, and I'm not convinced they need to be at all times.

Thanks to everyone for chiming in with your knowledge and experience. I think I understand how all this stuff is supposed to work now, which will help me to figure out the best configuration for my set-up. I think the first thing I might add at this point is new sway bar bushings.

jwolff wrote:
I installed a Roadmaster on my '01 F350 DRW and it is WAY better than the thin stock anti sway bar. Best bang for the buck when compared to shocks, airbags, and stable loads that were also all installed.

John

Stole my thunder, that's exactly what I was going to say, except I replaced both front and front stock antisway bars with Roadmasters. That made all the difference in the world. Mine is also an 01 F350 DRW.

X2 Boaty the front is massive 1 1/2 od
Like I said before $$$$ well spend :)

X2 Boaty the front is massive 1 1/2 od
Like I said before $$$$ well spend :)

punomatic wrote:
the pickup is obviously up to the job of carrying the camper, but even with 80 psi in the airbags, it rolls from side to side quite a bit while underway.

I've already chimed in once, and I swear I'm not lookin to stir the pot, but all these things mentioned about bags and overloads will only help a little.

**The only thing designed specifically to address the OP's original issue is a (anti) sway bar. And if the stock one is not doing well (which mine wasn't either), he needs a bigger one**

NONE of these things are BY DESIGN meant to improve sway--
* Air bags are meant to help carry a heavy load/level out the truck
* StableLoads - same thing
* More air/less air in air bags - only transfers the carrying of weight from spring load to bag load
* Fancy shocks - meant to absorb a shock. Will still compress going into a turn

I had the factory sway bar in the rear, and I swear, bar none (no pun intended), upgrading to a RoadMaster was the BEST thing I've done to it to haul the TC. My TC weighs in at just over 6,000lbs, and is 12'6" high loaded. It's top heavier than Dolly Parton. What a difference that bar made. I also plan on replacing the front very soon.