Is it good to be over built?
Buzzcut1's thread made me think about the changes I've made as well and what I think have big impacts from having maybe too much truck. Yes, I have a F450 with better brakes specifically to help with...
Forum Discussion
I had a SRW 1975 F-350 supercab and one trip, just after having the drum brakes replaced, then they did not tell me to tighten the lug nuts every 200 miles until the new studs are 'set' in place. The drivers side wheel fell off, because all the lug nuts fell off, and the last couple did not hold the tire on anymore. I was driving 55. My camper stayed in place, and I just drove over to the side of the freeway, and stopped. A Jeep driver behind me saw what happened, and actually went to retrieve my now bad rim and tire (the studs dug into the aluminum rim about 1/8").
Anyway the camper in my case was not overloading my truck, and the 'accident' was un-eventful! So I can safely say that a blown tire would be a non-even in that truck and camper combo. It has a lot of it's weight ahead of the rear axle, and it always handled nicely.
I am happy to hear that your F-450 can stop on a 'dime' so to speak when required. I don't know if I would want air bags on a heavy duty truck like yours unless you are also taking out some of the stiff steel springs, or using thinner ones, so that some weight on the air bags will actually make up for the softer than factory spring pack. With air bags inflated, then the spring pack will not be softened by adding additional loads of your camper, but will remain fairly stiff.
I know that my camper would make my 75 F-350 drop about 4" when that 2,500 pounds is installed! But that is 'normal' and I had two drop hitches for the truck, one that drops the ball by 2" when I had the camper, and one that drops it 6" when I did not have the camper along. . .
Have fun camping!
Fred.
Anyway the camper in my case was not overloading my truck, and the 'accident' was un-eventful! So I can safely say that a blown tire would be a non-even in that truck and camper combo. It has a lot of it's weight ahead of the rear axle, and it always handled nicely.
I am happy to hear that your F-450 can stop on a 'dime' so to speak when required. I don't know if I would want air bags on a heavy duty truck like yours unless you are also taking out some of the stiff steel springs, or using thinner ones, so that some weight on the air bags will actually make up for the softer than factory spring pack. With air bags inflated, then the spring pack will not be softened by adding additional loads of your camper, but will remain fairly stiff.
I know that my camper would make my 75 F-350 drop about 4" when that 2,500 pounds is installed! But that is 'normal' and I had two drop hitches for the truck, one that drops the ball by 2" when I had the camper, and one that drops it 6" when I did not have the camper along. . .
Have fun camping!
Fred.
