Truck Camper
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Cross-Country
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: S.W. Michigan
Truck Camper
Has anybody ever driven with a truck camper in bed?
I don't doubt truck will do fine, may need air bags. But curious what its feels like when driving. Top heavy feel?
I don't doubt truck will do fine, may need air bags. But curious what its feels like when driving. Top heavy feel?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 20,171
Likes: 16,007
From: Wisconsin
Tim Young has a slide in and another user we don't see enough of anymore (FishingNut). Tim's a DRW and he has never complained about the ride, but I'm sure he'll chime in soon. FishingNut is a SRW and he seemed to like it as well, but it's been a little while since he has posted. You could try sending him a PM.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,863
Likes: 4
From: Airdrie Alberta
I had an 03 short box srw and an 07 long box dually, same camper in bother and it felt fine in both. I had a Bigfoot camper so it was a little lighter. My old man has an '11 and his camper weighs around 4400#s wet, his dually handles it well no airbags yet but could use them. Yes they do lean quite a lot more in corners but just have to drive for your conditions. And your comfort.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: NW Oregon
I had a Lance 1130 camper which weighed about 3400 pounds and hauled it in my F250 psd without any worries. I had air bags and usually had about 90 psi in them. I was nervous at first with corners but soon realized that the rig handled well and was able to at least take the corners at the posted speed. Never had any seat-of-the-pants top heavy inputs if I drove at a reasonable speed. I also had Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks and had the rear set at max and the front set two settings below max. The bags and shocks made a big difference and recommend both. I went all over BC and all over the west and southwest with no worries. My new '13 F350 6.7 would handle the Lance even better than the F250. Good luck and happy RV-ing.
Doug
Doug
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 201
Likes: 7
From: Stanley, IDAHO
Truck Camper
I have been hauling Slide in Full size Truck Campers in my FORDS continuously since 1991. I had Air bags on my 91 F-250 and on my 2000 F-250. Purchased a 2012 LWB SRW F350 6.7L Supercab and this time went with TIMBREN Suspension System instead of Air bags. Never liked fussing with Air Pressure with or without Camper on Board. The Timbrens plus Rear Sway Bar seems to be a perfect combination. I did replace the dead Motorcraft Shocks early on with Rancho 9000XL shocks. The FORD handles the Eagle Cap 950 Camper beautifully.
GARY
GARY
SPONSOR
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 0
I wanted to add a suggestion for better ride and control while hauling a truck camper.
I have the StableLoad suspension upgrade on my F350 with a 4000lb camper and they give me a couple more inches of lift and I can reduce my airbag pressure to 30lb from 70lb, improving sway and porpoising. Airbags do great for leveling, but the ride is much better with the addition of StableLoads and many people this before adding expensive airbags.
StableLoad - Lowest Cost, Most Effective Suspension Upgrade Available
I have the StableLoad suspension upgrade on my F350 with a 4000lb camper and they give me a couple more inches of lift and I can reduce my airbag pressure to 30lb from 70lb, improving sway and porpoising. Airbags do great for leveling, but the ride is much better with the addition of StableLoads and many people this before adding expensive airbags.
StableLoad - Lowest Cost, Most Effective Suspension Upgrade Available
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,470
Likes: 535
From: Chandler, AZ
The soft suspension of the 2011+ trucks is an improvement unloaded but not when hauling a camper. I think a sway bar is a must. The factory rear sway bar (aka camper package) is pretty weak, wouldn't recommend it for a camper.
Yes the truck will do fine as-is but if you want it to perform better you may want bags or something else to increase rear spring rate.
Yes the truck will do fine as-is but if you want it to perform better you may want bags or something else to increase rear spring rate.
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Moderator
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,815
Likes: 148
From: Billings, Montana
My 2012 F-250 has the camper package which for the most part consists of a rear sway bar, my truck camper weighs about 1700 lbs., and is a pop-up so it has a lower profile and center of gravity. The tires I have are the stock tires that came with the truck and have the highest load rating. When I put the camper on the truck it drops the backend down a couple of inches so for this reason I also installed air bags to level the truck back up. The truck with the camper on it rides very nicely, and with the sway bar you don't get that top heavy feeling so I think if you don't have the sway bar on yours it might be something to consider adding to your truck. Also check the load ratings on your tires to insure they're rated for what you're going to haul. You'll also need to check the weight of the camper your going to haul to insure it doesn't exceed the rating of the truck. According to Ford you also need to insure that the tie down system you use is frame mounted, I used the Torklift's on mine and so far they've worked real well.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 201
Likes: 7
From: Stanley, IDAHO
Suspension with a truck camper
TorkLift Jen,
I agree with you. Just before our last trek to Reno and on through northern California and eastern Oregon and back to home in Stanley Idaho I added the TorkLift Quick Disconnect Stable Loads to our 2012 F350 that has the Timbren Enhanced Suspension System and the Stock Ford Sway Bar along with Rancho 9000XL shocks. I really enjoy the Timbren Suspension vs Air Bags like on my previous two Super Duty Fords. But the truck had just a bit too much sway and roll before I added the Stable Loads. The over 2000 mile trip on all kinds of roads with lots of wind from every direction... Really sold me on the Stable Loads.....Ride is so much better and handling is better too. I have read where folks didn't like the Stable Loads.....Well each to their own. I am a Happy Camper. We hauled the Eagle Cap 950 TC and a Harley Hauler Enclosed Trailer with nothing but praise for the TorkLift Stable Loads.
GARY
I agree with you. Just before our last trek to Reno and on through northern California and eastern Oregon and back to home in Stanley Idaho I added the TorkLift Quick Disconnect Stable Loads to our 2012 F350 that has the Timbren Enhanced Suspension System and the Stock Ford Sway Bar along with Rancho 9000XL shocks. I really enjoy the Timbren Suspension vs Air Bags like on my previous two Super Duty Fords. But the truck had just a bit too much sway and roll before I added the Stable Loads. The over 2000 mile trip on all kinds of roads with lots of wind from every direction... Really sold me on the Stable Loads.....Ride is so much better and handling is better too. I have read where folks didn't like the Stable Loads.....Well each to their own. I am a Happy Camper. We hauled the Eagle Cap 950 TC and a Harley Hauler Enclosed Trailer with nothing but praise for the TorkLift Stable Loads.
GARY
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: NW Oregon
I have been hauling Slide in Full size Truck Campers in my FORDS continuously since 1991. I had Air bags on my 91 F-250 and on my 2000 F-250. Purchased a 2012 LWB SRW F350 6.7L Supercab and this time went with TIMBREN Suspension System instead of Air bags. Never liked fussing with Air Pressure with or without Camper on Board. The Timbrens plus Rear Sway Bar seems to be a perfect combination. I did replace the dead Motorcraft Shocks early on with Rancho 9000XL shocks. The FORD handles the Eagle Cap 950 Camper beautifully.
GARY
GARY
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 21,391
Likes: 8,091
From: North Central Washington
I have an Arctic Fox 990s about 3800# loaded. I didn't like it with my old truck 1997 F350 but it had a 2" lift and soft 35" tires on 16" rims (Lots of sidewall).
With my new truck it's a dream, granted it is a dually and I have the Stable Loads. I also have a set of Air bags with remote control. So I think I have the best of both. On curvy roads I let the air out, it rides rougher but not very much sway on the open highway or on Forest service roads I air up and it rides very smooth.
I would recommend getting a good set of tie downs also. I have the TorkLift frame mount tie downs, and they work great.
I love my truck camper, they are a little tight from time to time but they allow us to go places that you couldn't with a 5th wheel. Like exploring forest service roads on a road trip looking for a place to hold up for the night.
Cheers !!
With my new truck it's a dream, granted it is a dually and I have the Stable Loads. I also have a set of Air bags with remote control. So I think I have the best of both. On curvy roads I let the air out, it rides rougher but not very much sway on the open highway or on Forest service roads I air up and it rides very smooth.
I would recommend getting a good set of tie downs also. I have the TorkLift frame mount tie downs, and they work great.
I love my truck camper, they are a little tight from time to time but they allow us to go places that you couldn't with a 5th wheel. Like exploring forest service roads on a road trip looking for a place to hold up for the night.
Cheers !!
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 201
Likes: 7
From: Stanley, IDAHO
Suspension and Truck Campers
The Stable Loads essentially engage the FORD's bottom overload springs and effectively raise the back end up and that engages the upper overloads sooner.....Could be a much stiffer and higher ride but only if you don't have a camper or some other heavy load on board. By the way I have not had any difficulty disengaging the Stable Loads when the weigh is off the rear end.....A lot less hassle than air bags unless you have the on board compressor and air bag adjustment done remotely.
GARY
GARY
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,470
Likes: 535
From: Chandler, AZ
Also, the stable loads create a stress point in the leaf pack. The pack was designed to have the bottom overload distribute the load evenly over the whole next leaf above it. For this reason I would not use them.. others have with good results.
Another bad option is spacing down the upper overload leaf stop pads (bolted/riveted to frame). This is OK until the suspension is at full compression (upper overload flat on top of spring pack) and can tear mounts off of frame.
A correct way to utilize the upper overload leaf sooner is to get a larger spacer between the spring pack and the upper overload. No one sells a taller spacer and this would also require longer u bolts so not popular.
A properly designed air bag system has the advantage of being able to adjust the overall spring rate. Unfortunately, there are no properly designed kits available, in my opinion, so I built my own.
SPONSOR
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 0
Our engineers have done years of extensive testing both physical and computer FEA on the StableLoad applications to ensure there are no stress points on the leaf pack. I am glad that you indicated concern about engaging sooner and about distributing the load evenly because that is exactly why we created this product. Our goal with the StableLoad is to ensure the leaf pack engages and distributes weight at the same contact points as the vehicle factory engineers intended. Not only do we offer a lifetime warranty on the product, we also extend that warranty to the leaf springs. If you are ever in our area, (Sumner, Wash.) I would be happy to let you test drive them on our road course to get your feedback. I think that if you try them and see how well they work as thousands of others have, you might just want a set. We are always available through our tech support line as well. If you are into truck camping, one of the largest truck camper manufactures Arctic Fox/Northwood Manufacturing both uses and recommends to Stableloads to their customers and has for years without any negative results.
Here's an in use review on FTE of the Stableloads.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...d-install.html
Torklift Jen
Here's an in use review on FTE of the Stableloads.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...d-install.html
Torklift Jen
__________________
Torklift International – Towing, Suspension, Tie Downs, Steps
Call me direct: 1-800-246-8132
Visit our Blog: http://www.torklift.com/blog
Torklift International – Towing, Suspension, Tie Downs, Steps
Call me direct: 1-800-246-8132
Visit our Blog: http://www.torklift.com/blog
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