Underbed supports!
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From: Virginia
If those are gone, I hate to see what the rest of the bed looks like. They are usually the last thing that rust's out, and I don't think anyone makes them. If the formed box under each taillight is rusted out, I would trash the bed, it's not really fixable.
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There not gone. ... Only one has a little rust. But I was thinking of removing them and using rectangular metal and make my own. That way the bed isn't so wobbly? And stiffen it up.. The bed isn't bad. The truck has been sitting for 10 years and has 100k miles for an 1984
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From: Virginia
Welcome to having a slide in truck camper. They are all somewhat like that. I put helper springs to help the sway on my truck, but I have to take them on and off when the camper is taken off, since it rides too stiff when empty. I believe the best solution may be the air spring kits you can get. Then you can air up when hauling the camper and air down when empty.
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
I use to have a big 1977 Shamrock 12ft. Slide in Camper on my stock F250!
BUt I had to add this big empty boots (keep forgetting what they're called) and this helped alot.
Sure would sway alot on windy days, my F250 has no sway bars, front or rear.
BUt I had to add this big empty boots (keep forgetting what they're called) and this helped alot.
Sure would sway alot on windy days, my F250 has no sway bars, front or rear.
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And those empty boots you added you don't need an air pump at all? Not like an air bag.. And I have the same size camper and if you say go over a speed bump it rocks and I do have helper springs but still sways.
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From: Northern California
Yeah, it's not the bed being bolted down incorrectly, it's the springs, and the fact the cab is on rubber bushings. Makes it look like the bed is moving independantly to the truck cab because it is. My owners manual states to tie the camper directly to the frame somehow, not just the bed.
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Well I made a mount that bolted to the frame and hung past the fenders. And when the bed twist or rocks but the frame would stay sturdy I could here the depending on what way the camper was rocking I could hear the corner of the camper pulling out due to the tension.
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From: Virginia
You need to stiffen the suspension. Those rubber things will work also to stiffen the suspension, I believe they are called "timbren" load levelers. They will work, but just like my helper springs, you will need to take them out or use a kidney belt when unloaded.
Get used to the sway, even with suspension helpers. The only way to really have a big improvement is to get a dually pickup. I took mine on a 2000 mile round trip vacation to several beaches, and you had to be careful with it, it's the nature of the beast. Also carry some heavy straps with you, I pulled one of my tie-downs out when leaving a parking lot with a large dip at the entry way.
Get used to the sway, even with suspension helpers. The only way to really have a big improvement is to get a dually pickup. I took mine on a 2000 mile round trip vacation to several beaches, and you had to be careful with it, it's the nature of the beast. Also carry some heavy straps with you, I pulled one of my tie-downs out when leaving a parking lot with a large dip at the entry way.
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