Upgrade truck suspension

[Hardscrabble]

Hi all,

Just on the shakedown trip with the new rig, a NL 8-11 and a 2019 Chevy 3500HD Duramax. Over all I am happy with most of the handling, certainly the acceleration and pulling power is fine. We do have StableLoads (upper) installed. I am seeing that I don't like the "hobby horse" bouncing when we hit uneven pavement, expansion joints and the like. It seems in searching the many threads that even though the truck is brand new that the front shocks are most likely the issue, that replacing the front shocks with Rancho 9000s might be my best result. I just want to confirm my thoughts here. The truck sits about level.

Any thoughts?

Regards, Tom

[ardvark]

When one sits down and lists all the possible variables between trucks and different brands of trucks along with driver expectations, as well as differences between campers, it is hard to make a case that one fix or size fits all.

Looking back, forums discussions have been talking handling for decades and I see little to suggest that is going to change. What works for some rigs just doesn't get it for others.

Just my two cents 🙂

[Kayteg1]

My camper stands 12-6 and in the past, with utility bad on older truck had it at 13-6. Ford don't have any problems with that, although having waste water in rear tanks I did experience some porpoising, but in my camper the tanks sit 7 feet behind rear axle.

[wnjj]

Kayteg1 wrote:
TC weight doesn't affect front load much, so can't imagine how new, factory shocks on front can't be adequate for handling.
Than I never drove Dodge 😉
My 2017 F350 holds 6000 lb camper on factory suspension just fine, but just to smooth empty ride, I installed Sulastic hangers. They improved empty ride a lot and even it is hard to tell difference when loaded, it has to be smoother as well.
I have no problem with handling even at 75 mph.

High COG loads like TC’s affect the dynamic load at the front. Porpoising and side to side roll involve both axles.

[Kayteg1]

TC weight doesn't affect front load much, so can't imagine how new, factory shocks on front can't be adequate for handling.
Than I never drove Dodge 😉
My 2017 F350 holds 6000 lb camper on factory suspension just fine, but just to smooth empty ride, I installed Sulastic hangers. They improved empty ride a lot and even it is hard to tell difference when loaded, it has to be smoother as well.
I have no problem with handling even at 75 mph.

[JimK-NY]

Years ago I thought Rancho shocks would help dampen bouncing and sway. Well they did sort of. I put the rear Ranchos on high and the fronts on a medium setting. The ride was really harsh and my wife complained it hurt her back and neck. That just seemed to be a sad fact of life when carrying a heavy camper.

After a few years, I added Supersprings. Wow, what a difference. I was able to put the shocks at medium settings and had a smooth ride without the harshness.

My advice would be to improve the suspension with added springs or whatever it takes. Do not expect the shocks to compensate for a marginal or weak suspension.

[noteven]

Bilstein has a recommended model for high center of gravity loaded pickups. They work good on my old Dodge. Can’t remember the number but it isn’t the “popular” one.

Struts from the overhead to the cab cowl work very well. Lance options those.

Hitching a trailer to a 2 or 3 foot hitch extension pretty much stops it on both my trucks. 06 Dodge quad cab diesel 4wd 3500 or 12 F350 crew cab gasohol 4wd.

[ardvark]

With 2012 F350 found Ranchos help when set to max stiffness on the rear, however, have never found the perfect answer. Not much left to add (upppers and Hellwig already in place) and found it was the same whether we had our Hallmark in the bed or now our Northstar. Fortunately the roads that really make things uncomfortable or few and far between and then we have to slow down. Increasing our speed as some often suggest, makes it worse. 🙂

[JIMNLIN]

I have no idea how much your 3500 SRW has on the rear axle (camper plus other gear) but is important with a 7050 RAWR if thats the case.

I would get some front and rewar axle weights and then decide if shocks...... or more tire/wheel suspension help is needed.

[way2nutz]

Bilstein 5100's on my 2015 3500 at about 50 miles. Bigfoot 10.6. Huge difference.

[Camper_Jeff___K]

I put Rancho 9000's all around my F250. Ride is much better. I found that turning them to the strongest setting worked best when loaded with TC.

[Lwiddis]

I have a much lighter truck with Ranchos but added air bags. Very pleased.

[macjom]

The Bilstein 5100 is a good replacement also. It is slightly firmer than stock.

[GeoBoy]

If your going to change the shocks, go with Bilstein 4600’s, no shock adjustments required.

[bigfootgrey]

Rancho 9000’s made a huge improvement on our overall ride especially over those nasty bridge joints! Helped a lot with the unloaded ride as well. With the front set on 4 and the rear on 1 the empty ride wasn’t bad

Bob

P.S. Congratulations on the new rig!

[jimh406]

I’d try adjusting the air pressure in the front because it’s free, and then go for shocks if needed.