2012 F 350 suspension mods needed?

[mattyj]

Hi, Im seriously thinking of buying a 2012 F350 ,crewcab, 4x4 diesel, 8 foot bed with an mgvwr of 11,500 lbs. I have a Lance 835 with a dry weight of 2400lbs , Does anyone think I would need any other suspension mods to haul this camper safely? Thanks Lou

[Ranger_Tim]

Weigh the truck at a local CAT scale to find the rear end weight and gross weight so you are working with real numbers if you are very concerned. You will probably be quite similar to me with my 2006 F350. It weighs 8000 lbs and has a rating of 3520 lbs per alloy wheel. That means 7050 rear weight limit. I am close to that limit so I monitor tire pressure closely and watch the rims carefully. I would run the upper stable loads and sway bar first and add the lower stable loads if you need them. I don't think I have to have the lowers but they add so much stability I run them anyway.

When running on empty tanks I have an easy load. Full tanks causes me to slow down and run more conservatively. I weighed my camper and truck fully loaded and came to 11,300 lbs, just under 11,500 which is my max gvw. Sounds like my camper weighs similar to yours so I think you'll be fine with these type of mods as long as you don't carry gold bars.

[Steve_in_29]

mattyj wrote:

Steve_in_29 wrote:
My 2007 F350 carries the 3000+lb wet-weight of our Outfitter plus passengers and items in the cab just fine with no suspension mods. I am even still slightly tail high with it loaded. Though my truck has slightly more load capacity then that 2012 since the trucks got a little heavier in 2008.

Is the 2012 the 6.4 or the 6.7 engine?

The truck has a 6.7 in it , what is the mgwr of your 2007?

If you mean GVWR mine is 11400 with a max load capacity of 4300 lbs. The same year CrewCab had a gvwr of 11500 (due to CC being heavier then SC) and the same payload rating. Since my truck weighs right at 8k that means I have roughly 3400lbs of actual load capacity.

[dave17352]

mattyj wrote:

SoCalDesertRider wrote:
That weight should be fine for a 350SRW.

As with all F250/350/450's with the upper overload spring sets, the overload springs are spaced too far away from the bump stops. This causes the springs to not kick in until way too late, after the truck is sagged too far, or not kick in at all, if the load isn't heavy enough.

You'll likely want to add Torklift StableLoad spring spacers to the overload spring bump stops on the frame, so the overloads can kick in sooner. Having the overloads fully engaged helps reduce body roll and sag. They don't cost much and are very easy to install.

If your truck has the camper package, which includes the rear sway bar as part of the package, the sway bar is a very good thing to have, to further reduce body roll with the camper on. Adding an aftermarket rear sway bar will likely be one of the things you'll want to do, if the truck doesn't have it already.

No it has no sway bar in rear, Im glad you mentioned the spring spacers , Ill get them foe sure and Im gonna have to get a tie down set up and a Lance wiring setup too.

When you go tie down shopping I highly recommend torque lift tie downs and fast guns. Super fast and easy and super strong. I have had the happy jack system before and much prefer torque lift.

[mattyj]

SoCalDesertRider wrote:
That weight should be fine for a 350SRW.

As with all F250/350/450's with the upper overload spring sets, the overload springs are spaced too far away from the bump stops. This causes the springs to not kick in until way too late, after the truck is sagged too far, or not kick in at all, if the load isn't heavy enough.

You'll likely want to add Torklift StableLoad spring spacers to the overload spring bump stops on the frame, so the overloads can kick in sooner. Having the overloads fully engaged helps reduce body roll and sag. They don't cost much and are very easy to install.

If your truck has the camper package, which includes the rear sway bar as part of the package, the sway bar is a very good thing to have, to further reduce body roll with the camper on. Adding an aftermarket rear sway bar will likely be one of the things you'll want to do, if the truck doesn't have it already.

No it has no sway bar in rear, Im glad you mentioned the spring spacers , Ill get them foe sure and Im gonna have to get a tie down set up and a Lance wiring setup too.

[SoCalDesertRid1]

That weight should be fine for a 350SRW.

As with all F250/350/450's with the upper overload spring sets, the overload springs are spaced too far away from the bump stops. This causes the springs to not kick in until way too late, after the truck is sagged too far, or not kick in at all, if the load isn't heavy enough, or only kick in partially, which makes the ride more bouncy, as the truck comes on and off the overloads with every bump in the road.

You'll likely want to add Torklift StableLoad spring spacers to the overload spring bump stops on the frame, so the overloads can kick in sooner. Having the overloads fully engaged helps reduce body roll and sag. They don't cost much and are very easy to install.

If your truck has the camper package, which includes the rear sway bar as part of the package, the sway bar is a very good thing to have, to further reduce body roll with the camper on. Adding an aftermarket rear sway bar will likely be one of the things you'll want to do, if the truck doesn't have it already.

[dave17352]

If there all about the same, chevy just does fine with more than that weight. I did add torque lift quick connect stable loads. Added just enough to make the ride excellent. When I am wet and loaded I am at about 3500 pounds. My GVWR is 11600 with the truck in my signature.

[mattyj]

Steve_in_29 wrote:
My 2007 F350 carries the 3000+lb wet-weight of our Outfitter plus passengers and items in the cab just fine with no suspension mods. I am even still slightly tail high with it loaded. Though my truck has slightly more load capacity then that 2012 since the trucks got a little heavier in 2008.

Is the 2012 the 6.4 or the 6.7 engine?

The truck has a 6.7 in it , what is the mgwr of your 2007?

[SoCalDesertRid1]

2011-up model years have the 6.7 diesel engine. The 6.4 diesel was used from 2008-2010.

[Steve_in_29]

My 2007 F350 carries the 3000+lb wet-weight of our Outfitter plus passengers and items in the cab just fine with no suspension mods. I am even still slightly tail high with it loaded. Though my truck has slightly more load capacity then that 2012 since the trucks got a little heavier in 2008.

Is the 2012 the 6.4 or the 6.7 engine?

[jimh406]

You shouldn't need anything as long as it has the stock tires/wheels, and you air up the tires.