F350 with no overload springs

I'd add overload springs and a sway bar also. But I would go with multi-leaf(probably 3) with maybe a 1300 lb load rating rather than the stock single leaf. The cost of aftermarket multi-leaf springs at a truck spring shop is insignificant and the labor the same. When I had a '99 F250 I added a second stock overload spring and it did very little. Remember that unloaded the overloads aren't in contact and have no effect on the ride. You'll need to extend the overload bump stops also, I used the hockey puck system at a cost of about $16 versus the expensive aftermarket ones.

Greg B wrote:
Is there a handling problem your trying to correct? Maybe a sway bar or upgraded shocks would help.

What some truck camper owners do is install stable loads, a device made by Torklift, which causes the overload spring to engage sooner (when weight is on the truck) so the back end doesn't sag so much when hauling a heavy load.

I have them on my 3500HD dually too, and they are far more useful than airbags.

They might have removed your overloads when the airbags were installed. IIRC this is necessary in some vehicles where the airbag sits on top of the spring pack to allow enough room for the airbags to compress. Is there a handling problem your trying to correct? Maybe a sway bar or upgraded shocks would help.

Natt85 wrote:
I bought this truck brand new. It didn't offer the "camper package" but a "towing package". It is the same thing, right? Didn't have a sway bar also...
How costly it is to install overload springs?
I'm driving it right now with my camper as is (no overload springs), but with airbags. Should I install overload springs ASAP?

Natacha "Frenchie"
2001 F350 DRW PSD 4x4
2013 Arctic Fox 811

I have a 2002 F350 SRW. It came from the factory with overloads, but without swaybar.
I added a Helwig swaybar and the stable loads, and the truck and camper are GREAT! And since you already have the dually, just go to a bone yard, get the overloads and frame pads, then bolt them up on your dually, and the go for the Helwig Big-wig swaybar. You will not be sorry. Let us know if you have any more questions!
Garry in Kodiak, AK

Had the same glove-box warning "not recommended for a slide in camper".

Aired up the tires, StableLoads added on by dealer and it handles my camper just fine.

Now as for the overload springs???????????? You need them for sure. Spring shop nearby or a wrecking yard with an F350 to be found???????

I bought this truck brand new. It didn't offer the "camper package" but a "towing package". It is the same thing, right? Didn't have a sway bar also...
How costly it is to install overload springs?
I'm driving it right now with my camper as is (no overload springs), but with airbags. Should I install overload springs ASAP?

Natacha "Frenchie"
2001 F350 DRW PSD 4x4
2013 Arctic Fox 811

just go to a local spring shop and get them to beef things up and get an anti sway bar if the truck doesn't have it and you should be just fine suspension wise for carrying the load.

That's kind of a surprise. My 2000 F350 DRW PSD 4x4 has overload springs and a sway bar, and no camper package. Any chance somebody removed them as part of a lift or something?

I just received my torklift stableload bump stops. I haven't installed them yet though, too cold and snowy outside.

It is possible that in that vintage Ford, if you didn't get the factory "camper package" you didn't get a sway bar.

You might want a sway bar if you don't already have one.

You can ignore the "no camper" warning. I did on my 2003.

Kinda strange they would put that in there! Just go get some overloads and whatever else you need to do the job. Good luck.