Forum Discussion

WanderWest's avatar
WanderWest
Explorer
May 28, 2016

Suspension Advice - F350, Truck Camper and Fifth-wheel

I have a 2014 F350 dually that has been towing a fifth-wheel with about a 4,000 lb pin weight. Stock suspension, with the fifth-wheel hitch mounted in Ford’s bed mounting holes. The truck has the max stock springs front/rear as well as the stock stabilizer bars front/rear.

A recent weigh showed 300 lbs less on the front axles with the trailer hitched (not ideal), although I’ve towed about 13,000 miles so far and it didn’t seem to affect handling. Still, transferring some weight back onto the front axle would be good.

I’m also picking up a truck camper in two weeks to use for trips where we want to be smaller and more mobile. The truck camper will weigh in at 5,000+ lbs (depending on how much water is loaded), and I am assuming that we’ll want to do something with the suspension given that heavy of a load.

Internet and forum searches have turned up a wide range of approaches: air bags, Timbrens, shock upgrades, spring upgrades, Supersprings, StableLoads, etc. Given my two different loads (fifth-wheel and TC), I assume Timbrens would not be a good choice (for me). They recommend their regular system for the fifth-wheel and the severe service version for the TC.

Otherwise, I’m not sure about the best place to start. I have no practical experience with tweaking/upgrading suspensions for heavy loads, and in this case I need a solution that will work unloaded, with a ~4,000 lb load that is currently unweighting the front end slightly, and with a ~5,000+ lb load.

Thanks in advance for your help.

--WW
Truck Campers
  • WanderWest's avatar
    WanderWest
    Explorer
    Jun 16, 2016
    That's the puzzle on the fifth-wheel. It is not a sliding hitch (8' bed) and is mounted in Ford's factory mounting holes (fifth-wheel prep package). The relative proportions of the hitch (a Reese) could, perhaps, put the pin weight an inch or so back from where Ford anticipated, but it's hard to imagine more than that.

    Unless Ford put the holes for the hitch too far to the rear (seems unlikely), it's a bit of a mystery to me.

    --WW
  • SoCalDesertRid1's avatar
    SoCalDesertRid1
    Explorer
    Jun 16, 2016
    Addressing the issue of your fifth wheel taking weight off the front axle, inspect the position of the hitch in relation to the rear axle center.

    The hitch sounds to be too far back, slightly behind the axle, instead of in front of it, to be removing weight from the front axle. Maybe something is installed wrong, backwards, or adjusted to the rear. Is it a sliding hitch?

    The fifth wheel should add a slight amount of weight to the front axle, with the hitch mounted such that the kingpin is a few inches (about 3 to 6 inches) ahead of the rear axle centerline.
  • Dirtpig's avatar
    Dirtpig
    Explorer
    May 31, 2016
    I agree with Bedlam. I ran a heavy arctic fox camper for years and the stable loads are great. Also did not destroy unloaded ride quality.
  • WanderWest's avatar
    WanderWest
    Explorer
    May 30, 2016
    Thanks everyone. Sounds like Stableloads are probably where I'll start, with airbags or other upgrades depending on how things feel.

    I confess I'm not sure exactly how I should expect the TC to ride. With the higher center of gravity and load that takes it up to GVWR, I'm not expecting it to ride as smoothly as it does towing the fifth-wheel.

    It does seem like everyone has their own opinions (as well as unique combinations of truck and TC), but the feedback does help me focus in a few areas.

    --WW
  • Bedlam's avatar
    Bedlam
    Moderator
    May 28, 2016
    Start with upper and lower StableLoads to get the most out of your OEM suspension. If you need more, you can supplement later with bags, super springs or Timbrens.
  • Buzzcut1's avatar
    Buzzcut1
    Nomad II
    May 28, 2016
    my TC weighs 4500. Its on a 2011 F350 4x4 crew cab long bed diesel dually with the camper package. I also tow a 5-7000 pound load horse trailer (weight is related to number of horses on board).

    For just the camper I find that upper and lower stable loads give me a perfect ride. I have airbags that only get used for when I am towing the horses to level the ride. For that reason I chose Airlift Loadlifter 5000 airbags as they can be run at zero psi when not needed.
  • HMS_Beagle's avatar
    HMS_Beagle
    Explorer
    May 28, 2016
    Everyone is going to have a different opinion. Here's mine: I have a 2015 F350 dually with a 4300 lbs camper. If yours is 4WD, I would put outside-the-frame mount airbags, plumbed separately (dual path). Then add the Hellwig Bigwig sway bars front and rear, and Rancho 9000 shocks. The shocks and airbags will let you adjust the rear height to keep the headlights on the road, the 9000 shocks let you adjust the dampening between loaded and empty. The (much) larger sway bars will eliminate body roll empty and with the 5th, and minimize it with the camper. Since the airbags will be carrying some of the weight, outside-the-frame versions will maintain the same roll stiffness as the springs.

    If 2WD, getting airbags to fit properly is difficult because of the lower ride height - I did it on my '99 but had to modify the mounts and though it worked it limited suspension travel.
  • Florida_Swamp_F's avatar
    Florida_Swamp_F
    Explorer
    May 28, 2016
    WW,

    I have a similar size truck camper on order. My truck is identical to yours. I have wanted a truck camper for years and studied the subject of your question ALOT. There is a lot of information you can get on these forums for sure. Based on what I have learned I am adding the following items to my truck. Upper Stable Loads, Rancho 9000 Shocks, Air Bags (dual path). I will be as curious as you are to see other more experienced members reply to your post and react to my choice.

    DP
  • jimh406's avatar
    jimh406
    Explorer III
    May 28, 2016
    Air bags give you the flexibility to raise the rear as much as you want to or balance the load side to side which is important for some TCs. If you do use air bags, I'd extend the bumpstops either with stableloads or by extending your bump stops. Lower stableloads allow you to disengage them at will, so add that to your list of what to consider.

    But, you probably should load it, and see how it is to you.

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