Suspension upgrade help.

We have owned 3 F250's, 8' bed and super cab, since 1990, all with the factory camper package, and have never felt out of control or that the suspension was inadequate for our 2 TC'S. In our latest 2012 truck and camper, we installed 2 air bags, to bring the ride height up and to keep the headlights pointing in the right direction. We have a 10' aluminum camper weighing about 2,100 empty and 2,600 loaded, and pull a small boat about a 1/3 of the time. I would recommend a Ford 3/4 ton to anyone with a similar load. The ride on the air bags is as stable as the overload springs, and is a lot smoother over bumps. The new Bilsteins, which we put on last year, have no difference in the bounce control, over the factory shocks. I would not refuse a F350 if the money was the same, but..........as long as you are not going off road, or taking curves too fast, a properly equipped F250 is fine for the lighter campers.

You can adjust the gap between the Timbren and axle when unloaded. Putting it closer to the axle will produce less sag at cost of a harsher unloaded ride on rough pavement - When the axle articulates it may bounce off the Timbren stops. You can also buy different rated Timbrens that are more or less dense based on the payload you plan to carry.

Grit dog wrote:
They'll work fine. Stableloads will stiffen up the springs and the Timbrens will hit at the same squish unless you re adjust them.
Fwiw, you can make homemade stable loads out of many things. I used plastic felling wedges. Fords are easy since you can just put wedges in and run a screw thru the hole in the spring.

-----Could you elaborate on adjusting Timbrens ?

Grit dog wrote:

That said, 110psi is taking ALL the weight of the camper and the truck is likely not using much of its own spring capacity to support the load.

When I had airbags, I think I measured/calculated the area of the top of each bag at 25 square inches. Mine were rated at a max of 100 psi. So 25 X 100 = 2,500 lbs for each bag and 5,000 lbs for both bags.

So 110 psi in my bags (Redline may be similar) would be 5,500 lbs of force supported by the bags. Yes, that would be just about the total weight (maybe more) of the camper.

Brad

Grit dog wrote:
Fwiw, you can make homemade stable loads out of many things. I used plastic felling wedges. Fords are easy since you can just put wedges in and run a screw thru the hole in the spring.

I like that idea. Thanks!

cartmancartman wrote:
I have a Host Mamoth on ram 3500 with wood wedges and Redline airbags (7500LB 150PSI AIR BAGS). I like this setup, I like aibags to raise and lower the rear, it drove fine 1000 miles. It is a big rough when empty, but drove great with camper on it. I am going to remove the wedges and load the camper and see how it handles. I had no isses loading a 5k camper with these airbags and the wedges, handling was great when loaded up to 110 psi. Many swear by only having torklift stableload, they might be correct. Will update later.

If it took 110psi to “handle “ the load with the wedges (same effect as stable loads) then it will take more without the wedges.
The wedges aren’t adding additional load capability they’re just engaging the lower overloads sooner and provide better stability at less sag.
That said, 110psi is taking ALL the weight of the camper and the truck is likely not using much of its own spring capacity to support the load.
I suspect too much air. Is the truck riding at unloaded ride height or does 110psi let the truck settle into the springs a few inches?

The Nitto's are rated at 4080 lbs

I have a Host Mamoth on ram 3500 with wood wedges and Redline airbags (7500LB 150PSI AIR BAGS). I like this setup, I like aibags to raise and lower the rear, it drove fine 1000 miles. It is a big rough when empty, but drove great with camper on it. I am going to remove the wedges and load the camper and see how it handles. I had no isses loading a 5k camper with these airbags and the wedges, handling was great when loaded up to 110 psi. Many swear by only having torklift stableload, they might be correct. Will update later.

I have timbrens which I love because they take a lot of the side to side sway out, the only problem they carry the load,the overload springs are out of play adding the upper stable loads put the springs back into play handling is even more improved.

stufarmer wrote:
I have a 17' F350 4x4, CC, LWB, SRW. I'm using Lower Stableloads, Air Lift 5000 bags and Nitto G2 295/65/20 tires. As is, this truck handle our 18' Lance 975 every bit as good as our old 16' F350 Dually and 17' Lance 1172 did. The new Ford Super Duty's are amazing trucks.

What's the tire capacity per tire for those Nitto G2 295/65/20?