hedgehopper wrote:
billtex wrote:
OK...I'll play Capt Obvious...
1) Yes, a 7000# rig is going to handle a lot different than a 12,000# rig.
2) 12 yrs is a lifetime in truck evolution
3) Some Dodge trucks require front end rebuild/modification (search "death wobble")
4) Need more specifics on axle weights, any mods done to truck, tires/wheels, psi, etc...
You should be able to make this rig handle just fine...it's plenty of truck for that camper. Like any rig, you will need to dial it in.
Bill
Though I could supply specifics re weights and mods, I think you nailed our problem when you mentioned "death wobble." When I did a Google search, I found a blog on dieselpowerproducts.com, "Dodge Front End Issues on 1994-08 Cummins and the Dreaded Death Wobble."
The blog starts out, "If you’re the owner of any Dodge HD truck and haven’t had any issues related to the front end suspension and/or steering, you’re either oblivious to it, or you’ve managed to find a one in a million truck." The blog goes on to describe our situation perfectly, including the steering issue I mentioned.
One blog respondent wrote that Dodge rebuilt her front end on a recall. So I will probably start by looking into that.
"Death wobble" will shake the truck off the road, and the only way to stop it is to speed up a lot, or stop. Doubt your truck has that problem with only 20k miles.
Have you weighed the front and rear axles yet? You may be pulling a couple hundred pounds off of the front tires?
And don't go beyond max psi for the rear, the front I run about 50. Less psi will ride better. However, by nature a 3/5 or 1 ton rig will "jolt" more than a Tundra, because of the higher spring rate. I'm guessing your front shocks are real stiff, too.
