Sway Bars and Air Bags

MORSNOW wrote:

You can also install Timbren SES's instead of airbags at a fraction of the cost. Like stable loads, efficient and inexpensive.

I guess you're talking about Timbren's Jounce-style bumpers.
HERE
Similiar to SuperSpring's SumoSprings. Jounce-style gummy-bear, squishy, spongy, plastic foam things.
SumoSprings Solo version:
Here
And SuperSpings upgrade SumoSprings.
The Rebel version:
HERE
And the Maxim:
HERE

Hellwig doesn't list sway bars for 2014, but they don't list 2014 for anything so it's likely just old documentation. Assuming that the 2013 will fit the 2014, they have a 1 5-16" Front and a 1 1/4" rear.

Roadmaster on the other hand lists a 1 3/8" front and a 1 1/2" rear though only through the 2013 and 2012 model. Again, likely just old documentation.

From the posts I've read, "every 1/8 inch increase in diameter produces a 30% increase in strength" or 60% stronger for the Roadmaster. I don't have either product (Roadmaster, or Hellwig), but from my research for my truck (2000 F350 DRW) I'll go with the Roadmaster when I replace the factory rear swaybar.

Carb Cleaner wrote:
Check the load rating of your tires if you're worried about that much squat.
I put the Torklift Stableloads on my 10,000 pound rated 2013 that has factory sway bars. Our Wolf Creek 850, me, the Little Woman, most of our camping gear, empty holding tanks and 2/3 a tank of gas was 10,200 pounds. The rear squats a little and I'm considering what the next Gee-Wiz suspension mod I should use that will reduce the squat. It's only gonna get heavier. Starting with the Stableloads seems reasonable, because they're effective, cheap and can be utilized with additional mods. With my very limited experience (about 4,200 miles), I'd say I'm glad I have them, but I want more. The potential failure of an airbag tends to make me think SuperSprings. Maybe, you can skip the Stableloads and go straight to the SuperSprings. I don't know. Just thinking out loud.

You can also install Timbren SES's instead of airbags at a fraction of the cost. Like stable loads, efficient and inexpensive.

Check the load rating of your tires if you're worried about that much squat.
I put the Torklift Stableloads on my 10,000 pound rated 2013 that has factory sway bars. Our Wolf Creek 850, me, the Little Woman, most of our camping gear, empty holding tanks and 2/3 a tank of gas was 10,200 pounds. The rear squats a little and I'm considering what the next Gee-Wiz suspension mod I should use that will reduce the squat. It's only gonna get heavier. Starting with the Stableloads seems reasonable, because they're effective, cheap and can be utilized with additional mods. With my very limited experience (about 4,200 miles), I'd say I'm glad I have them, but I want more. The potential failure of an airbag tends to make me think SuperSprings. Maybe, you can skip the Stableloads and go straight to the SuperSprings. I don't know. Just thinking out loud.

Redsky wrote:
The Ford trucks are flex the most but a short bed could easily be stiffer than the long bed trucks and you may not need to install heavier duty anti-sway bars. Older trucks flexed more and needed help. My 2011 with a 4,000 lb. camper load is fine with the factory anti-sway bar in the front and does not need one in the rear.

The stock leaf packs should support the load of your camper or Ford screwed up on the rating which is doubtful. If the camper in the bed causes the truck to be lower in the rear than in the front then add more spring capacity with overload springs like the SuperSprings and preserve the normal handling of the truck.

The stock shocks may be OK but expect them to need to be replaced after 30K miles and then go to Bilsein or Rancho shocks.

Ford has more options for towing and hauling than the other two US truck companies combined but to me it makes also makes it confusing to know what comes with which option collection and what is left out.

Air bags help to level a truck but they also destabilize the truck. The place to use airbags is if one side of the camper is several hundred pounds heavier and causes the truck bed to tilt to one side or when hitched up to a 5th wheel trailer to make the height compatible.

I am opposed to anything like an airbag where if one of the two fails you have an unsafe vehicle for the remainder of the trip. I would only use components that are not going to fail or can be easily replaced, like a shock, at the next town.

I disagree with your comments on air bags.
Air bags are designed to increase stability, reduce sway, reduce body roll, reduce suspension fatigue, helps prevent bottoming out of the suspension.
Saying that air bags destabilize the truck as a blanket statement is just nonsense.It could happen if used improperly, but the whole purpose of air bags is to stabilize the truck and that is just what they do for me.
Why would one air bag going flat why would the vehicle be unsafe?, simply deflate the good bag and you are good to go.
Swapping out a blown air bar isn't much harder than replacing a rear shock, and it easier than replacing a shock that is inside a coil spring.

Getting sway bar in advance is okay. Wait until you have the camper on the truck before getting air bags.

If you have rear end sag, there are options in addition to air bags.

If you have a camper that isn't balanced side to side, that is one side is lower than the other, then get air bags for sure.

+1 "Don't fix what isn't broken."

The Ford trucks are flex the most but a short bed could easily be stiffer than the long bed trucks and you may not need to install heavier duty anti-sway bars. Older trucks flexed more and needed help. My 2011 with a 4,000 lb. camper load is fine with the factory anti-sway bar in the front and does not need one in the rear.

The stock leaf packs should support the load of your camper or Ford screwed up on the rating which is doubtful. If the camper in the bed causes the truck to be lower in the rear than in the front then add more spring capacity with overload springs like the SuperSprings and preserve the normal handling of the truck.

The stock shocks may be OK but expect them to need to be replaced after 30K miles and then go to Bilsein or Rancho shocks.

Ford has more options for towing and hauling than the other two US truck companies combined but to me it makes also makes it confusing to know what comes with which option collection and what is left out.

Air bags help to level a truck but they also destabilize the truck. The place to use airbags is if one side of the camper is several hundred pounds heavier and causes the truck bed to tilt to one side or when hitched up to a 5th wheel trailer to make the height compatible.

I am opposed to anything like an airbag where if one of the two fails you have an unsafe vehicle for the remainder of the trip. I would only use components that are not going to fail or can be easily replaced, like a shock, at the next town.

I am considering the new Wolfcreek 840 or a Hallmark Ute pop up.

I have both the Stable Loads and air bags, would not be without either one of them.
It does depend upon how heavy your camper is.With my heavy camper, the overloads are engaged all the time no matter how much air I put into the bags.
On my set up, the air bags do little as far as leveling goes.
If I forget to air up the bags, I will know it before I am out of the driveway. The bags aid in stabilizing the camper.

Judithgap wrote:

okan-star wrote:
Sway bars:)

Air bags:(

That is correct. The Hellwigs are much more larger in diameter and stronger.
I sure appreciate the feedback I get from you guys and cant wait until I am in a position to buy the camper and get out on the road.
So many places to see.

Airbags tend to unload the suspension. Torklift StableLoads engage the suspension early. Had the StableLoads been available at the time I would have skipped the airbags.