Truck camper wondering

Sounds like a problem with the center of gravity of the camper. Take the truck to a scale empty and weigh the front and rear axles separately and also the total weight. Load the camper and reweigh in the same manner. This will tell you if the camper is "lifting" the front plus give you some good numbers for future loading/towing options.
Check the front end hard parts and steering parts for wear.
Check the tire inflation.

I would lean toward front end parts as well. Maybe take it to a good alignment shop, they will find any steering component issues, and also have them put a new set of shocks on it. If is still has the original shocks at 10 years old they would definately need replaced.

The ball joints and tie-rods are probably in need of replacement. If this is the case it should show up with the camper off the truck and be particularly noticeable when turning. If this is the case the truck should not be driven at all until it can be fixed. I have had American trucks and SUV's that needed this work done over as little as 50k miles.

I would also expect the shocks to be shot on any used truck or car. Bilstein 5100's are a good choice.

If you rotate the tires and the problem goes away then you have a tire with a bead problem and this too is a real hazard and the tire should be replaced.

19.5's can do this. What age are the tires? What pressure are you running? There are a few ways to balance the tires. As previously stated, have the front end looked at for worn/loose components. At work we had a couple of F450's that had the front sway bar brackets break.

Over inflating the front tires will cause it float and make the steering vague. I am now running 110 psi in the rear and 80 psi in the front with my 245/70R19.5's. My truck is a SRW, so I do not expect you will be running as high a rear pressure as mine.

I think it's very likely it's the 19.5s especially if they are new. I think your tire pressure in the front is the biggest factor for wandering. You probably don't need more than 65-70 in the front although I run as much as 80-85 in my fronts at times.

I think that any of the above might be correct... but which one?

I would leave the camper on the truck... ask my alignment mechanic to do a test drive. Then I'd take the camper of the truck... at his shop or drop it off at home. Thene I'd trust the alignment guys to do whatever is necessary... it will be well within their skill and abilities.

I'm fortunate:
I know my alignment shop and the people that work there ( Troy or John at A1 Alignment in Oak Ridge). I have them do all of my vehicles... an alignment from them is about $50.00 )

When they get through... the front end tracks true, the steering wheel is oriented correctly, and the tires will wear evenly.

In the end your alignment shop will prevent you from making unnecessay repairs and missing something that could cause a real problem sometime when you least expect it... The guy that sold it may have had the problem... and didn't know what to do.

Good luck... I'll be watching for your solution.

Sleepy

How many miles are on your 19.5's and what brand/model are they??
Most 19.5" drive tires have a lot of tread squirm when they're new.
Cheers,
-Mark

The tires are old I don't know how many miles are on them. Front tires are wearing funny. I am going to take to a front end shop have alignment checked along with all components. I will price new tires and shocks, both will have to be replaced. Any particular brand better than the other. Tires are 225 70 R 19.5 any reason not to go with a 245 70 R 19.5. Thanks for the responce and info.

Mt Pleasant Texas
East Texas is great, had a place at Lake Fork for years, born in Abilene, raised in Duncanville in the 70s ? 80s but never coming back 2 dam hott