I have an 01 Chev EC 3500 DRW and just bought a 94 Lance 990. I haven't weighed it yet, but it has to be at least 3300 lbs empty according to the original paperwork. It appears to sit fairly level and doesn't feel too bad riding back there, but … it maybe just me, but it feels like a little more pressure on the front axle is in order. O/loads top and bottom are engaged. Top appear to be only making contact. Truck has always been a TT dragger, so not much super heavy use of the spring capacity. I have read about the Stable Loads, and have emailed them this weekend asking if their product can help (per their claims) if I am already engaging the o/loads. I have a set of air bags from my previous truck (not installed them yet, wasn't planning to) and on this forum, a number of users say Stable Loads over a/bags. Perhaps, I just need to run it a while as is and get a better feel for it. Anyone go through the same?

yes they will help.They will engage the overloads sooner and there will be less squat.

Welcome from Alaska, left Utah 35 years ago and never looked back!Stable loads were my first addition, transferred over from the previous truck a SRW, hands down the best most useful cost effective mod period. Empty they keep the over loads from the empty banging and loaded they cause the spring pack to work that much more effectively, engaging them earlier.Also have airbags which I feel offers a greater range of adjustment as well as provide some dampening effect to the heavily sprung rear end. I don't really need them but I'm glad I have them, with the heavy camper loaded I'll have 15 to 20 psi in them.I see they have lower stable loads now which engage the heavy bottom spring. I may try them also, again for the adjustability.

How much distance do you have between the upper secondaries (overloads) with no load in the bed? Springs have a 'rate' and leaf springs especially have a graduated rate as you compress them and they resist more. If you have at least 3" of space between the springs and the upper stops, S.L.'s will help. Adding another upper overload springs will also help if you are carrying a heavy load, i.e.: at least a 4000 pound payload, which yours will surely surpass. Short of completely replacing your springs with a higher spring rate set, S.L.'s, or a facimile will be the best bang for your buck.jefe de doble tracion

Yes, they will help. Like other said, they were the most useful (and inexpensive) suspension mod I did.Sure wish I'd have done them before airbags.Airbags are mostly all hype, and very little benefit on my truck.09 Chevy 3500HD Dually.

I don't have a dog in the fight but just curious how engaging the overloads sooner transfers weight to the front axle?

Will Stable Loads help with o/loads already engaged

covered_wagon
Explorer
Oct 07, 2014
deltabravo wrote:
Yes, they will help. Like other said, they were the most useful (and inexpensive) suspension mod I did.
Sure wish I'd have done them before airbags.
Airbags are mostly all hype, and very little benefit on my truck.
09 Chevy 3500HD Dually.

It's interesting how there are differing reactions about air bags among TCr's. For years I went without them and one day decided I would try a set of Pac Brake air bags.

All I can say is WOW! It made my truck ride so much better with the Northern Lite back there. The difference was major and felt like nothing was back there compared to without. Of course I know very well it is a heavy load.

Next I will try the set of lower Stabloads given to me by Tork Lift as a gift.

I have to say that each and every suspension mod I made helped and affords added benefit to all the other mods as no one item gets over worked, tired and worn.

If you do everything expecting only springs to do all the work, you can expect that eventually those springs will weaken. I have seen it even with adding enough springs stacked up high enough that I did not need upper stabloads.
Farmerjon
Explorer
Oct 07, 2014
I'm glad the Stable Loads helped. It makes the cost and time spent worthwhile and you feel better driving down the road
Be safe and enjoy your trips.
Jon
dc873cf
Explorer
Oct 07, 2014
installed them Saturday. had a 50/50 chance of assembling them wrong and I did. once the first one went on the rest were quick. did make a difference. the slight mushy feeling on initial accerleration is gone and it is definetly smoother over bumps. the little bit of sway seems gone now as well. thanks for the input and the Dodge/Lance pictures are outstanding. look forward to taking some trips in it.
billyray50
Explorer
Sep 30, 2014
I own a 1998 Lance 990 Legend and manufacturer sticker shows 3259 lbs. dry.. 4000lbs. wet CAT scale 11,300 lbs. with DW, grand daughter and a lot of stuff. By my self 3600lbs. Very comfortable with mods after 6000 miles hauling camper on my 2006 Dodge 2500 4x4 CTD long bed truck. Very little squat with suspension upgrades. Only use 15 psi in airbags. You have the right truck for sure with this model.
dc873cf
Explorer
Sep 30, 2014
thanks for the input. still learning how to reply, haven't been real active in the forums while i had my TT. called TL today and discussed the product. went ahead and ordered the lower kit. unloaded there is an inch or so between top o/l spring and the stops. the bottom gap between o/l leaf and next one up was maybe 1/4 inch. i will post the difference i notice. i weighed today and came in at 10,650 lbs without water and no other personal items, food, etc. 11,400 is my max on the door label, so i am not over. i looked at a newer 990 a month ago that was on a Ford F350 CC SRW and he pulled a boat behind it. I personally could not be comfortable with such a set up, no matter what was done to the suspension.
trail-explorer
Explorer
Sep 29, 2014
Roadlover wrote:
With Stableloads being so inexpensive and simple to install, I would try them first and if you are still not satisfied, then try the air bags.

Ditto.
mkirsch
Nomad II
Sep 29, 2014
The amount of weight transferred back to the front reducing the rear end squat by an inch or two is minimal. You are not changing the relationship of the camper's COG to the rear axle of the truck by much, a fraction of an inch at most.

Since you don't have WD bars to pry up on the truck's frame using the front axle as a fulcrum, the only effective way to transfer weight forward is to... transfer weight forward. As in, physically put heavy things towards the front of the camper.

If that is not feasible all you can do is live with it as-is.
Roadlover
Explorer
Sep 29, 2014
I think you will be very pleased with the Stableloads. I also have air bags but since the addition of the Stableloads, I only keep enough air in the bags to keep them from getting damaged. With Stableloads being so inexpensive and simple to install, I would try them first and if you are still not satisfied, then try the air bags.
Farmerjon
Explorer
Sep 29, 2014
I would think that lowering the truck in the back would transfer some weight off of the front end so if you can prevent some of that lowering or squat it would keep more weight on front end.
By looking at some of the weight slips folks have posted you can see that adding a camper has lightened the front end load.
I know from overloading some trucks in the past I have gotten some really light steering.
Super_Dave
Explorer
Sep 29, 2014
I don't have a dog in the fight but just curious how engaging the overloads sooner transfers weight to the front axle?