I have a 02 F350 4x4 crew cab long bed truck with a slide in camper. I am trying to improve the ride and handling and have been advised that a HEAVY DUTY rear sway bar would help me conciderably. I have found stock rear sway bars but can't seem to find anyone that makes a heavy duty version.

Any information on Air suspensions, air bags, or the Rollguard system would be helpful too. In fact any information that will help me tune my suspention will be greatly appreciated.

As I am new to this i am now in a trial and error situation. the camper loaded is approximately 4000 lbs and with the airbags set so the rubbers are just touching the overload springs and the shocks set at seven the swaying is reduced but the ride is horrible. the truck rides the best (not great but acceptible) with the shocks set at 4 and the air bags at 45 to 50 lbs so the weight is off the overload springs. This however increases the swaying. I do not have a rear sway bar so I definately plan on getting one.

 

From what I've seen on dealer lots there are two different rear sway bars for 99-04 F-250/350 trucks. A thicker and a thinner version. I purchased the thick version and it reduces roll a lot. Unloaded my truck handles corners much better with the thick rear sway bar. You may want to look at ricksontruck.com I believe they list sway bars and the 19.5" wheel/tire upgrade. Summitracing also has sway bars.

 

Hellwig makes one!

I put one in my '01, and it made a world of difference. I don't have a camper, but it's certainly going to help.

 

If you don't have over load springs, you may also wish to look at road master active suspension. activesuspension.com I belive. I have sold a bunch and installed a couple, they also make a bif difference.

 

Thanks, i have been researching possible upgrades to help with the sway/roll associated with the top heavy load of the camper and trying to avoid the very costly air suspentions by Air Lift and Kelderman I am going to try the Rollguard by Amtech. I am told I will not even need the sway bar ( we'll see). In any case after I install the rollguards I will everyone know how they work

 

I'm guessing you don't have the camper package on your truck, because the sway bar is part of that option. I ordered my truck with the camper package, so it came with the sway bar. My camper is also 4000 lbs and even though I have a dually, it still swayed too much for my tastes. If you are new to campers, I can tell you that the sway becomes less unnerving as time goes on - you get used to it.

I did put Firestone Ride-rite airbags on my truck and added Rancho RS9000 shocks. I have the older shocks that max out at 5 (not 9 like the newer ones). I've found that keeping the fronts at 3 and bumping the rears to 5 works good to minimize sway. I also set my airbags at about 70 psi, which keeps the truck level and off the overload springs. I believe the shocks make the biggest difference in lessening sway, but the airbags help also.

I don't know how you plumbed your airbags, but it is critical that each airbag have it's own filler valve. If you "T" the 2 lines into one filler valve, then you totally lose all sway control because the air just rushes from one bag to the other when the truck leans.

You might also try posting in the slide-in camper forum over at www.irv2.com .

 

Thank you. I just learned alot from your reply. Mainly that no matter how much i spend i am going to have to deal with a certain amount of sway.

 

you need to run more air in your air bags my camper weighs 2500-3000#, and i run 80psi when loaded.you do not want it riding on the overload springs it will bounce all over the place. i also did add a Helwig rear antisway bar, i'm sure it helps but i couldnt really tell because i did the airbags, rancho 9000,s and swaybar all at the same time

 

Is it recommended that a sway bar be added to a rear suspension on a non camper type truck? One camre on the front of my '06 PSD CCFx4 LKR but not on the rear as the dealer didn't order the pkg ($115). Is it worth adding for handling?

 

Lonewolftx--simple answer, YES!

 

YES - I did it to my '01, and while it's more apt to slide out in the rain/snow, it's definitely worth it on the highway. Swerve around anything, and it's worth it's weight in gold, as long as you don't over-do it

 

OK, what size do you recommend and where do you suggest getting it from?

 

my 06 didnt have the camper package but i am planning on
towing a goose neck in the 15K lb range....
Sounds like a good thing to have on my truck . . . .
I'm on it,anyone have any reccomended places to buy this
part?

 

I believe Hellwig only makes one size for the SD's. Not much choice

I just checked an on-line parts catalog for Ford OEM, and there's only one choice for the 4x4, at least 99-06. Cheap too.

PM discountfordpart and see what he can get them for, he's pretty steep on discounts.

And check the sponsors first

 

What is the part number as everytime I search for this under "sway bar" I get to "no part"?