Sway bars versus RAS versus SS…which one did you choose/why?

Sway can result from weak springs, weak shocks, overloaded tires, and frame flexing. The anti-sway bar helps with the frame flexing. Supersprings help with the weak springs. I had minimal sway with my new 2011 GM truck and reduced it even further with new tires that had an extra 650 lb per tire of load capacity so I have less sidewall flexing with the camper load.

I believe in beefing up the stock components but not changing the way they work as with air bags or Sumosprings except as a very last resort. With a new Ford truck I would definitely add as big an anti-sway bar at the rear as I could find. I would not bother with the current Ram or GM trucks that have frames that better resist torsional loading.

Supersprings took me all of an hour to install on my truck. I like something that I can do once and then forget about it, unlike air bags or Sumosprings.

Supersprings are on.
Several Folks reported an improved ride when they installed SS. I am not sure I understand why...but the ride is better...noticeably better. Took a ride around town (no camper) and cannot believe the improvement in ride quality.
I have to assume that the airbags have been taken out of play (have them at 8 psi). The ride with airbags only, previous to the SS, was pretty harsh with the same 8 psi. I ran out of daylight so I could not properly asses the whole suspension system tonight. SS were set at middle hole on brackets both front and back (I may adjust this preload after I load camper and see how it handle). The ride height was raised 1" over previous.
So far very pleased. I will load up the TC this weekend and dial it in.
Don't think I will make the scales until next week, curious to see if there is any load transfer to front axle.
Stay tuned.
Bill

Something else to keep in mind; as I have a benchmark (our previous camper) that we hauled for 10k’s miles, I am conscious of the change in handling with the new camper. If this were our first camper, I might have dropped it on the truck and never questioned how it felt.
Because I have a comparison (with the same truck) I am confident I can get this setup to work just as well…with the appropriate modifications.
As bedlam noted, this may (or may not) be a multi-step process. New shocks will likely be part of that process.

Thanks again, Bill

billtex wrote:

If your Dad has 8000 lbs on the rear axle...that is a LOT more than me...and must be one scary ride on a SRW 3/4 ton truck!?

What the heck is he running for tires?

He has some 285/75/17 tires rated at 3970lbs.

It's the same axle as your GM, and SRW/DRW GM 3500 and Dodge SRW/DRW 3500 trucks.

With airbags, and a Big Wig Sway bar its not an issue to drive. A bit of that weight on the rear is tongue weight from a horse trailer.

If your ride is bouncy I would thing a better shock might be in order, or adding ping tanks to the airbag setup would help.

ah64id

There seems to be some confusion . Your profile is showing a TT , but you are referencing your Dad's rig . So my question is what truck and what camper does your Dad have that puts 8000# on the rear axle ? Some specs would be helpful .

Butch...good point on the TT...we also pull a 7000# Airstream.

I do not need any suspension mods for towing and will run the airbags at min when towing the AS.
WD hitch takes care of the rest...

A SRW HD truck is going to weigh 3000# unladed...with 8000# on the rear axle...that is one heavy camper as noted...

Anyway...should have the SS on tonight...will test drive this weekend!

Bill

ah64id,

Per your picture and your profile you are pulling a TT and not carrying a slide in TC. These are 2 different animals. With your trailer there is now way you are putting as much of a load on your truck as the guys with TCs. A TT is only going to put from 10 to 12% on the weight on the tongue. So if your TT is 7000# loaded that is 700 to 840# of tongue weight. What are the size of your bars on your rig. 1000# or 1200# bars? Your tongue weight is in most cases less than 1/3 of the weight that a camper is putting on a truck. Also your weight is being applied at the hitch level where a camper weight is weight is being applied way above the axle and as such there is going to be a tendency to have more sway and more bounce with a TC. With air bags and no contact with the overloads there is going to be more bounce and sway. Drive behind a TC and see how they sway back and forth with just road changes. A truck pulling a TT is not going to have the same issues.

So when you use your experience it is comparing apples to oranges. They are not the same. Bill's truck would handle your TT without any problems also but he is talking TC.

Wow, if your dad has 8,000# on the rear axle of his 3/4 that is more than I have on my 2013 Ram DRW with my camper on. I have 900# less on my rears than that with my NL 10 2 CDSE when it is loaded and ready to go camping. My rear scale weight on the rear is 7140# and that is with an almost 4000# camper back there. So your dad's truck well be lighter in the rear than my truck and yet is 900# heavier than I am so his camper has to weigh over 5000#. What camper brand and size does he have on his truck??

Bedlam is dead on with his explanation of a setup with a TC.

ah64id wrote:

I still don't think it adds up. Any 2500 that cannot maintain level with airbags is over the tire capacity unless the tires have been upgraded.

My dads 2500 takes 80-90 psi with a 2" level and 8K on the rear axle to be level.

If the OP feels he needs additional spring help over airbags on a 2500 there is something he isn't telling us.

If your Dad has 8000 lbs on the rear axle...that is a LOT more than me...and must be one scary ride on a SRW 3/4 ton truck!?

What the heck is he running for tires?

Bedlam is right on the money IMO :)

Bedlam has it right. I am trying lo level with less psi in bags (and firm up the ride). The bags were great on our last camper; firmed up the ride and got us level. I am 500# heavier with the new camper and find I have to run the bags at 70/95 to get where I want to be. At this pressure the overloads (bottom only on this truck) are lightly engaged but I find the ride to be a bit bouncy compared to the last camper. I have tried pressure from 10 psi all the way to where I am now over the last several weeks. Supersprings (or any mods to spring pack) place the load at 4 points on the chassis (where the designers intended), airbags concentrate the load on 2 points directly above the axle (at least on our truck). This is fine for levelling-not so good when you start loading your spring pack to the point of being in full contact with the bottom overload. Can’t seem to get the ride where I want it to be…so the search for additional support began…and has led to Supersprings. Having just bottom overloads is quite different than having both upper and lower. In fact there are so many variations on suspension setups (even within the same Mfr) that there is no one size fits all answer to suspension upgrades. And then, everyone has different expectations. This is why we come on public forums and ask what others have experienced!

FWIW; I have run airbags for 8 yrs now with the last camper and never had an issue. In fact I am a fan of airbags as they worked so well for us. The bags are not cutting it with the new camper.

The overwhelming response on Supersprings has been that they do firm up the ride, help in leveling the truck, and minimize sway. I could not find a single negative response on Supersprings over 3 different forums. No one reported much effect on unladed ride either (there are several options on setting the pre-load to determine this). While I was not against adding to the spring pack, this option was MUCH more expensive, and there is no way to avoid effecting the ride quality (at least that I could see?).


I have not ruled out sway bar…that may be my thread for next week! But hopefully the progressive nature of the Supersprings will accomplish my goals.

Tires on the truck were upgraded prior to our last x-country trip, we will be due for new tires again before next winter…so there is likely another upgrade in store there as well. Axles have been weighed three times over the last month while adjusting various components. (AAM axle is rated at 10k# +, tires are within 10% of max rating). Will weigh again after installing the SS and loading the camper. As bedlam noted…one step at a time until I my requirements are fulfilled.

Thanks again for all the feedback,
Bill