We are the proud new owners of a Ford F450 with a Artic Fox 990S slide in. Truck is a 2003 model with a custom made all aluminum flat bed. The camper is a 2008 unit and every thing works and is really clean. On our first trip with the unit and are very happy except for the fact the truck seems to wonder all over the road and is a little scary to drive over 55mph. Every thing is stock and original except the tires ( 225 70 R 19.5 ). Any help as what to do to cure this problem, tires, shocks, anything can't make any long trips like this.

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.

Truck camper wondering | Good Sam Community

wintersun
Explorer II
May 29, 2013
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.
MTRhino
Explorer
May 29, 2013
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.
Gripnriprod
Explorer
May 29, 2013
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.

Forum Discussion

Truck camper wondering

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Truck camper mileage

Truck camper alternatives

Truck camper sadness

Truck Camper COG

Truck Camper Humor ...