Question, has anybody mounted and used a heavy (4500lb) TC on a newer F350 or F450 w/o bags? Have a bit of an issue. Nobody has airbags yet for my 2015 F-450 at least according to my installer and direct contact with Air Lift. I made sure they understood it was a non Chassis Cab. I'd really like to take the Lance 1181 out for about a week over the new year but don't want spend the week popping wheelies nor do I want to spend two hours pulling out my hitch/tailgate and driving out to the storage facility to do a test mount. Just not enough time between now and Saturday when we drive across the border. Plus a quick mount won't really tell me how well it will really handle.I've always had bags and intent to on this vehicle just can't do it until the manufacturers catch up.Thanks,dave.

You dont need air bags to effectively carry a heavy TC. I carry an Arctic Fox 1140 which is heavier than any Lance 1181. I haul it on a 2009 Chevy 3500 dually with Supersprings and Stable Loads. It handles like a dream. I never used air bags nor do I ever want to. You have a new F450. If it was me Id start out with a stock truck and take it from there. If anything extra is needed I would first add Stable Loads.

I think that the cargo rating of the truck you are looking at is near 6,500 pounds.How heavy is your camper? Only 4,500 dry, so around 5,500 wet? How many pots and pans do you plan to carry? Or do you plan to collect rocks?You will be fine without the extra springs. Have fun camping!Fred.

Fred, my last scale reading had me at close to 4960lb with the wife and 1/3 tank of water vs me in the unloaded truck. Thanks Kerry I'm aware air bags aren't the only option. What I'm looking for is opinions when running with no suspension helpers. I've had overload helpers much like the top leaf Stable Loads (I don't recall the brand). Air bags give me the option to air down to 10lbs with the 5th wheel to give some cushion on nasty roads rather than buying an air hitch for twice the money. That would be a discussion for another thread.

I would also drive it stock and see before doing ANYTHiNG to the suspension as well. Drive it and see what if anything shows up as any sort of problem. If so, work on a solution.

My previous truck was a 2011 F 350 dually crew cab with diesel.Mind you, your 1181 is gonna be heavier, but in the 4,500 pound range you mentioned, my SnowRiver was right in that range and I hauled it all over the place, no air bags.Only suspension addition was StableLoads added on by the dealer.

Lance 1181 on 2015 Ford 350/450 DRW w/o Bags? | Good Sam Community

davidaf
Explorer
Dec 24, 2014
brholt wrote:
I carry a 5,000+ lb AF 1150 with a DRW F350. Only modification I made was upper stable loads. Rides and handles nicely. (My cargo rating is 6,200+)

is that with upper and lower stableloads? Oops. sorry iPhone text must have been too small. Disregard!
brholt
Explorer II
Dec 24, 2014
I carry a 5,000+ lb AF 1150 with a DRW F350. Only modification I made was upper stable loads. Rides and handles nicely. (My cargo rating is 6,200+)
Bedlam
Moderator
Dec 23, 2014
I have a set of lower StableLoads from my Ford that do not fit my Ram which are available. My smaller F250 was able to carry 4000 lbs with just upper and lower StableLoads.
bighatnohorse
Explorer II
Dec 23, 2014
davidaf wrote:
Question, has anybody mounted and used a heavy (4500lb) TC on a newer F350 or F450 w/o bags?
. . .

I have the 2015 F350 dually (long bed, crew cab) with a 4500 pound camper in it.
You have an F450, which I believe has a much heavier spring pack than the F350.
My 350 is marginal for carrying the camper with no modifications to suspension. The 450 should be quite adequate.

I've looked at a few GM 3500's and it appears that those trucks that I've seen have a heavier spring pack than the Ford F350. For that reason, you should ignore advice from the GM owners. (sorry, kerry, no offense but just trying to stay on topic.)
The_Mad_Norsky
Explorer
Dec 23, 2014
bka0721 wrote:
Sleepy has a 1181 on a Chevy 3500 SRW and always states his is fine with all OEM and no aftermarket modifications. As others have stated, try stock and see how it goes. It is understandable you being apprehensive with your upcoming trip. But it sounds like you don't have the airbags available now, so go with what you have.

b

typo it appears. Sleepy has a 2003 Chevy 3500 dually. Just about the same as the 2003 I used to own.
davidaf
Explorer
Dec 23, 2014
Finally heard back from Ride Rite, no ETA just a "they are in development" so best case is 3 months from Air Lift or get lucky with an earlier date from Ride Rite. So, i'm going to order a set of Stable Load uppers and mount the TC w/o them see how it rides. If not happy i'll put the rubber bumpers on and see what happens from there.
bka0721
Explorer II
Dec 23, 2014
Sleepy has a 1181 on a Chevy 3500 SRW and always states his is fine with all OEM and no aftermarket modifications. As others have stated, try stock and see how it goes. It is understandable you being apprehensive with your upcoming trip. But it sounds like you don't have the airbags available now, so go with what you have.

b
mike740ski
Explorer
Dec 23, 2014
btggraphix wrote:
I would also drive it stock and see before doing ANYTHiNG to the suspension as well. Drive it and see what if anything shows up as any sort of problem. If so, work on a solution.

Agree. I suppose flat mid West terrain, not towing anything, I think Stock or at most, Stable Loads, will be fine.

For steep mountain passes like the Cascades, 42in extension receiver hitch for towing heavy load, bad freeway roads (winter ruts, frost heaves, etc), traveling at 60-65mph, I would try suspension mods in this order: Stock, Stable Loads, Bilsteins, Air Bags, Cabover Struts, and see how it goes until you like the ride.

BTW: My 1191 comes in on a weigh scale at a tad over 5000 lbs loaded.
The_Mad_Norsky
Explorer
Dec 23, 2014
My previous truck was a 2011 F 350 dually crew cab with diesel.

Mind you, your 1181 is gonna be heavier, but in the 4,500 pound range you mentioned, my SnowRiver was right in that range and I hauled it all over the place, no air bags.

Only suspension addition was StableLoads added on by the dealer.
btggraphix
Explorer
Dec 23, 2014
I would also drive it stock and see before doing ANYTHiNG to the suspension as well. Drive it and see what if anything shows up as any sort of problem. If so, work on a solution.