Hellwig Bigwigs

[zulu52]

I finally decided to make the upgrade to see if I can remedy the sway issue I have when the camper is loaded.

I ordered the Hellwig Bigwig anti-sway bar for the rear of my 2015 Chevy 2500HD, 4X4, long bed,crew cab, SRW, gas engine. Northstar 8.5 Arrow.

I will be installing them myself.

I'm not the greatest mechanic but I have all the tools needed and know how to use them
I already installed mt Torklift tie downs myself.
I consider myself pretty handy.

Can anyone give me any hints for the install? I haven't been able to find a YouTube video of a 2015 Chevy install.

Thanks,
Zulu

[Fisher_Bill]

I ran both stable loads and air bags on my '06 silverado, made a huge difference on sway side to side as well as front to back.

This was with a 2000 Arctic Fox 1150 so maybe a little heavier than yours...

zulu52 wrote:

lakeside013104 wrote:
Installed my Hellwig bar myself in about 1.5 hours. I am only a basic (easy stuff) kind of mechanic, so if you have the tools and can read the general directions you should be fine.

Your picture looks a little low in the rear. My F350 looked the same until I installed Firestone air bags.

Between the bags and the Hellwig, the sag and sway issues have been reduced to where the ride feels smooth, with minimal sway and the truck sits level with only 28# of air in the bags.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Lakeside

I am hoping this helps the sway issue but if it needs more help wouldn't the next step be Stable Loads instead of airbags?
Do you need an on board air compressor for air bags? I'm not real familiar with them.
Zulu

[zulu52]

lakeside013104 wrote:
Installed my Hellwig bar myself in about 1.5 hours. I am only a basic (easy stuff) kind of mechanic, so if you have the tools and can read the general directions you should be fine.

Your picture looks a little low in the rear. My F350 looked the same until I installed Firestone air bags.

Between the bags and the Hellwig, the sag and sway issues have been reduced to where the ride feels smooth, with minimal sway and the truck sits level with only 28# of air in the bags.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Lakeside

I am hoping this helps the sway issue but if it needs more help wouldn't the next step be Stable Loads instead of airbags?
Do you need an on board air compressor for air bags? I'm not real familiar with them.
Zulu

[lakeside013104]

Installed my Hellwig bar myself in about 1.5 hours. I am only a basic (easy stuff) kind of mechanic, so if you have the tools and can read the general directions you should be fine.

Your picture looks a little low in the rear. My F350 looked the same until I installed Firestone air bags.

Between the bags and the Hellwig, the sag and sway issues have been reduced to where the ride feels smooth, with minimal sway and the truck sits level with only 28# of air in the bags.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Lakeside

[TxGearhead]

Hellwig has the same issues as many others in the aftermarket industry. The instructions can be vague and/or unclear. I spent way too much time under my truck wondering why they wanted me to move my brake hose bracket. My brake bracket was nowhere near where the instructions said. Hellwig had not updated the instructions from previous model years.
Also, my exhaust pipe had to be cut, repositioned, and re-welded. It's still not right. I called Hellwig and asked at what position does the anti-sway bar work best. They said "LEVEL". I can't get mine level because the exhaust pipe is too close to the bar hangers.
Other than that it's a wonderful thing.

[towpro]

I might have held it up with a floor jack while bolting it up.
Do not tighten anything until you have everything lined up.
pay extra care that the new hardware don't touch any brake lines (or wires) on the rear housing.

Now if Hellwig would just come up with a good disconnect system :). I pulled mine off my 2015 (to install on my 18) and it seem to ride better empty without the sway bar. (but it hardly ever gets driven empty 🙂 )

[zulu52]

Thanks for the helpful comments.
I feel it really handles the weight well and rides fine.
I just get to rocking side to side if I'm on a rough road.

I weighed it a little while back and all numbers were within my limits.

I should have the Big Wigs in about a week. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Zulu

[mike_kellie]

I did mine on a previous 2008 3500. I think I had to pre-load it with a jack so it was horizontal (parallel to the axle) when the camper was loaded. There is linkage that allows for adjustable settings. I'm sure there are some who have a better explanation but it should be something you can handle with previous Torklift experiences.

[joerg68]

Is the 2500 Chevy really handling so poorly? Before my current F350 I had our Northstar Arrow on our 2008 Chevy 2500 SRW LB Single Cab gasser. It rode just fine. The only modification were new Bilstein shocks. Then again, if yours is a Crew Cab / SB, things may be very different. I think I just meant to say that the new shocks were a great improvement on our rig.

Wishing you well for the sway bar install!

[Grit_dog]

It's easy, just bolt it up to the axle first then the links. Leave it loose on the axle until it's all adjusted straight.
Sway bar makes a big difference. Worth the $ for a camper.

[ScottG]

It's not hard technically but they are heavy. It would help to have a buddy or even two help hold it while it's bolted in place.

Nice move on the Big Wig. Someone talked me into me into getting their standard bar and it's just not that great.