Help! New to Truck-camper Camping
Hello, new to the forum and to trying to getting my family into truck camper camping (we are done with tents!). I have a 2001 Ford F250 SD 7.3 XLT 4x4 long bed (non-dually) with heavy duty overload sp...
Forum Discussion
I think you have several issues.
1. Not being used to driving and/or riding in a truck/TC can be really scary for some people. Being new to the TC experience, it really helps to adapt by riding and/or driving a setup that has been on the road for a while. Keep in mind we each have our own comfort level.
2. Without actually seeing what your suspension is, in person or maybe photos, our advice may not be what you need. On a given truck manufacturers have several different suspensions. We can give you advice that would require you to take a 2nd mortgage.
3. The most common upgrades are overloads, airbags, anti-sway bar, and tires. I think it is important to understand the effect each of these have. I encourage you to do a search on each.
4. Sway is probably the toughest thing to control. It will be the single most important item to upgrade. The anti-sway bar only helps control sway, and does nothing else. Although tires must cary the load, they play a big roll in sway. The stiffer the sidewall, the less sway. Airbags are primarily used to provide lift. They typically have little effect on sway, with the exception of them being over inflated.
5 Weight of the TC has to be supported. Tires, Springs, overload springs, and airbags are the primary things to consider. In my opinion, the tires are most important. If one of them fail, you have a potential for a serious accident. Modifying the springs require serious thought. Adding leafs will usually make for a rough riding truck when empty. I suggest you leave them stock. There are many configurations of overload springs. Most trucks have a single overload on the bottom of the main springs. About all you can do there is add a lower Stable Load. Depending on the truck, the options on the upper overloads is almost endless. My experience with airbags has been positive. I have a '96 Dodge that has hauled my 4200 pound TC (11.5 ft) for over 13 years with no problem. It has the same load capacities on the door sticker as your truck. It has no upper overload.
In my opinion, your truck can haul pretty much any of the hard side non-slide TCs. I must say, I understand the door sticker to be the manufacturers suggestion with the tires and wheels listed. I no longer am willing to argue this point. I believe most hard side non-slide TCs will weigh in between 3000 and 4000 lbs.
I question that you must remove your overload springs to install airbags. Who told you that? My '96 had an aftermarket overload, and I did have to remove it due to its design.
Wayne
1. Not being used to driving and/or riding in a truck/TC can be really scary for some people. Being new to the TC experience, it really helps to adapt by riding and/or driving a setup that has been on the road for a while. Keep in mind we each have our own comfort level.
2. Without actually seeing what your suspension is, in person or maybe photos, our advice may not be what you need. On a given truck manufacturers have several different suspensions. We can give you advice that would require you to take a 2nd mortgage.
3. The most common upgrades are overloads, airbags, anti-sway bar, and tires. I think it is important to understand the effect each of these have. I encourage you to do a search on each.
4. Sway is probably the toughest thing to control. It will be the single most important item to upgrade. The anti-sway bar only helps control sway, and does nothing else. Although tires must cary the load, they play a big roll in sway. The stiffer the sidewall, the less sway. Airbags are primarily used to provide lift. They typically have little effect on sway, with the exception of them being over inflated.
5 Weight of the TC has to be supported. Tires, Springs, overload springs, and airbags are the primary things to consider. In my opinion, the tires are most important. If one of them fail, you have a potential for a serious accident. Modifying the springs require serious thought. Adding leafs will usually make for a rough riding truck when empty. I suggest you leave them stock. There are many configurations of overload springs. Most trucks have a single overload on the bottom of the main springs. About all you can do there is add a lower Stable Load. Depending on the truck, the options on the upper overloads is almost endless. My experience with airbags has been positive. I have a '96 Dodge that has hauled my 4200 pound TC (11.5 ft) for over 13 years with no problem. It has the same load capacities on the door sticker as your truck. It has no upper overload.
In my opinion, your truck can haul pretty much any of the hard side non-slide TCs. I must say, I understand the door sticker to be the manufacturers suggestion with the tires and wheels listed. I no longer am willing to argue this point. I believe most hard side non-slide TCs will weigh in between 3000 and 4000 lbs.
I question that you must remove your overload springs to install airbags. Who told you that? My '96 had an aftermarket overload, and I did have to remove it due to its design.
Wayne
