New to this forum, and looking for some help. I purchased a 10.0 Camp Lite TC for my 07 3500 Cummins. The truck is lifted 6" so I am dealing with some sag and sway going down the road, and this is before I add the wakeboard boat to the equation.I've done some research online and have come to the conclusion that one option is the Firestone air bags that mount outside of the frame. I like the Pac Brake bags, but they mount inside the frame, and the mounting brackets would interfere with the brackets for my traction bars.The other option is the StableLoad from Tork Lift. They claim these things are a good starting point, over bags... that they reduce sway, and level the truck by engaging the overload springs sooner. However I'm wondering how much they help, and if they will be enough for my application.So....I understand bags will greatly help with the leveling aspect, but how much do they help with sway? Do they make it worse? I'm already at a disadvantage with sway due to the increased COG from the lift, and I don't want to make it worse. I'm looking to level the truck and add as much stability as possible. Haven't really looked into rear sway bars, and I think the traction bars would interfere. But for the heck of it, what are some of the popular rear sway bar options out there?Any input would be appreciated. Anyone running a setup similar to me? Recommend one option over the other?

Have you considered a weight distribution hitch? That's probably the simplest first thing to try.

They wont do anything for trailer sway and can even make the trucks tendency to lean in corners worse unless they are plumbed separately or have valves in the lines to keep one bag from pumping air into the other when cornering though I think this is only an issue with heavy loads, like a TC. They are good for leveling though and I've had a set on my Dodge for years but don't really need them.If your trying to stop the truck from leaning then there are some sway bar options (esp for the back) that can help.

Thanks. I guess I should have been a little more clear. I'm concerned about the body roll sway, not the trailer sway. Both the boat trailer and crawler-hauler trailer I have are tandem axles, and tow down the road like a dream.

I think a rear sway bar would do wonders but I have no experience with them on trucks. I'd sure like to hear from someone that has installed one and how it affected towing.

I believe the OP is referring to a TC Truck Camper AKA Drop In. Well the #1 issue is the 6" lift, that just makes the TC more top heavy.Air bags will like help if on separate fill lines. The addition of a rear sway bar will help also. What size and load range are the tires on you 3500, big floater tires will not help either.The best option would be to drop the lift, but I would doubt that would be an option.

How much do bags help with sway? | Good Sam Community

silversand
Explorer
Mar 05, 2014
....I think that your question Isn't answerable without testing equipment set up on your specific rig, with a specific air bag (air spring) ?

In my mind, if you use air springs, then you have a more complicated situation, because you now effectively have 2 air springs (ie. your rear/front tires are essentially air springs, and add this tire behavior to the air spring behaviour associated with each rear wheel = 2 air springs per rear wheel).

I did a bit of reading on air springs ("finite element analysis of an air spring for automobile suspension"). There are several ways to look at the air spring: using FEA, and experiential. If experiential approach s used, then it is almost impossible to "measure" empirically "how much sway"; using FEA, you could run various scenarios (on the isolated bags, then isolated tire response, then both, under a set of conditions, etc)...

Any engineers out there who may elaborate more than my limited understanding?
okan-star
Explorer
Mar 05, 2014
billtex wrote:
homefor2 wrote:
With anything but minimum air (10-15 lbs) they lift the truck off the overloads

Sounds like you had no need for airbags (other than leveling), or the stableloads...

Measure 2x...cut once.

Setting up a truck to properly handle a TC is a learning experience!

Exactly , I think any thing but dealing with the stiffness and capacity of your springs is just a band aid and a waste of money
I had my 2500 dodge first and put airbags on it in 2004 , had 3 popups on it and it was ok , never put much air in
Bought a 3500 Dodge dually as a second truck for a larger camper and knew I didnt want bags on it , went with supersprings
Now I have a Lance on the 2500 and the bags came off , I didnt want to spend $ on stable loads just to try so I drilled 1 more hole for each bumpstop and lowered them , its ok , way better that the sway with bags , even with 5 lbs in them, but Im getting supersprings or new progressive leafs from http://www.generalspringkc.com/Leaf_Springs_s/1817.htm
As soon as I can afford them , leaning tward superspring so the ride un loaded is still ok
Any one thats interested in airlift bags for a ford up to 04 or a dodge up to 02 , pm me an I`ll make you a almost gift of the bags I took off
TheHardWay9
Explorer
Mar 05, 2014
homefor2 wrote:
Just went through all this to get a better ride on my Dodge 3500 dually. Wish I had not wasted money on the Pac Brake Air bags. With anything but minimum air (10-15 lbs) they lift the truck off the overloads and then you are driving a bowl of jello. I dropped the pressure to 10lbs, added Stable Loads, new Bilstein 5100 shocks and now I have a stable, level ride.

Out of curiosity, did you plumb the bags separately?
billtex
Explorer II
Mar 05, 2014
homefor2 wrote:
With anything but minimum air (10-15 lbs) they lift the truck off the overloads

Sounds like you had no need for airbags (other than leveling), or the stableloads...

Measure 2x...cut once.

Setting up a truck to properly handle a TC is a learning experience!
homefor2
Explorer
Mar 05, 2014
Just went through all this to get a better ride on my Dodge 3500 dually. Wish I had not wasted money on the Pac Brake Air bags. With anything but minimum air (10-15 lbs) they lift the truck off the overloads and then you are driving a bowl of jello. I dropped the pressure to 10lbs, added Stable Loads, new Bilstein 5100 shocks and now I have a stable, level ride.
billtex
Explorer II
Mar 05, 2014
To answer the OP's question; they did in our case. Definitley firm up the ride when loaded.
You will need to experiment with psi...too much and it will sway.
Just right is...welll...just right!

We like the airbags as they are adjustable and don't effect unladen ride.

Bill
2BLAZERS
Explorer
Mar 05, 2014
My vote is call up SuperSprings or find a local spring shop.

Supersprings on my truck was the best mod for carrying the weight of the camper plus towing.
okan-star
Explorer
Mar 05, 2014
dadwolf2 wrote:
What are D25 coils? Not familiar with that acronym.

Sorry, there skyjacker d25 coils , instead of using the leveling doughnuts on top of the coils like some do
dadwolf2
Explorer
Mar 05, 2014
What are D25 coils? Not familiar with that acronym.
okan-star
Explorer
Mar 05, 2014
thought the Bilstein 5100's were valved for more offroad use and not as much for "heavy" use??

The 4600 valved shocks dont come in longer lengths for lifted trucks
I have d25 coils on my truck that lift the front 2 1/2" for leveling and dual 5100`s, works good for my camper

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