Some n00b Questions: tie downs, shocks, swaybars, etc.
I just bought a 2007 Lance 1131 and put it in the back of my 1997 GMC K3500 crew cab dually. With just airbags, the truck drives better than I thought it would. I was worried the air pressure would raise it up off the overloads, but it didn't. The truck rides nice and firm, I expected it to be much more wallowy. It does, understandably, lean a bit in the corners.
First question is tie downs, specifically the turnbuckles. I used 4 long body Happijacs to tie the camper to my Torklift frame mounted tie downs. According to the link below, I'm using 4 fronts and causing some excessive porpoising. The porpoising has been my main complaint thus far, and until now I had blamed on on the sheer length and mass of the camper. Are those front shocks that tie into the wiper cowl worth a ****? The guy at the Lance dealer had indicated that they like to snap off as soon as you leave the pavement.
https://www.truckcampermagazine.com/camper-tech/maintenance/ask-the-expert-maintaining-happijac-tie-downs-and-turnbuckles/
Next question is shocks. I'm fairly torn among Bilstein 4600, Bilstein 5100 (with their "digressive" valving, whatever that is), and Rancho 9000. Adjustable shocks are great, but what's their usable range? Is their stiffest stiffer than the Bilsteins? Will they last half as long? I've not seen much good about the longevity of Rancho shocks.
Last question is swaybars: do they make any difference with that ginormous of a camper sitting that high up? Is Hellwig the only game in town for my old dually? Should I add just the rear without upgrading the front? I understand the shift in balance it will cause empty to do just the rear, not concerned about that, but if upgrading the front helps I'm willing to do it. I mean I figure it has to have some say, the frame does tie it all together.
First question is tie downs, specifically the turnbuckles. I used 4 long body Happijacs to tie the camper to my Torklift frame mounted tie downs. According to the link below, I'm using 4 fronts and causing some excessive porpoising. The porpoising has been my main complaint thus far, and until now I had blamed on on the sheer length and mass of the camper. Are those front shocks that tie into the wiper cowl worth a ****? The guy at the Lance dealer had indicated that they like to snap off as soon as you leave the pavement.
https://www.truckcampermagazine.com/camper-tech/maintenance/ask-the-expert-maintaining-happijac-tie-downs-and-turnbuckles/
Next question is shocks. I'm fairly torn among Bilstein 4600, Bilstein 5100 (with their "digressive" valving, whatever that is), and Rancho 9000. Adjustable shocks are great, but what's their usable range? Is their stiffest stiffer than the Bilsteins? Will they last half as long? I've not seen much good about the longevity of Rancho shocks.
Last question is swaybars: do they make any difference with that ginormous of a camper sitting that high up? Is Hellwig the only game in town for my old dually? Should I add just the rear without upgrading the front? I understand the shift in balance it will cause empty to do just the rear, not concerned about that, but if upgrading the front helps I'm willing to do it. I mean I figure it has to have some say, the frame does tie it all together.
