trip going good
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2009
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trip going good
Currently headed up north to Oregon, and so far truck has been doing good. Ipr about 44 @ 65-70, ficm 47.5 to 48, and oil temps and water temps are at 200-208. Off topic, away from 6.0, but truck related. Lance camper recommended air bags, so I went with the program, and it does really smooth out the ride, but the truck handles like crap. Afraid to pass up semi's on the road. The air bags are at 90 psi each, and truck still wanders and its work to keep it in the lane. I finally let the air out so it rested on the overload springs. Truck handles much better, able to pass with out getting the pucker feeling. Has anyone else experienced this issue, or do air bags suck and better not to use them?
04 F350 DRW
98 Lance 980
04 F350 DRW
98 Lance 980
Last edited by tjguy; Jun 18, 2015 at 01:27 PM. Reason: wrong spelling, on smart phone
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,303
Likes: 84
Glad to hear you are having a good trip. We have been towing all over with or 6.0 as well this year. Air bags that I have used are not ment to shoulder the entire load. Just supplement the trucks springs. As you found out with some load on the trucks suspension the truck handles better. I've only used about a 1200lb slide in so a small unit with out air bags. We now tow a 27ft TT. I have found the same thing with a weight distributing hitch. If I try to pick the rear of the truck up level it does not handle as well as letting it sag just a bit.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,303
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Don't be afraid to start cheap and older. We gradually moved up from a 1977 coachman, to a 1980's pop-up, got rid of it did a slide in for awhile back to a tent for two years. Now the kids are 6&7 we finally went for a new bunkhouse this year. If you can find a decently clean older camper go for it. Your 6.0 will handle it. Get out there and have some fun.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,073
Likes: 5
From: TX
Yep-we used to tent camp for a good while until the wife had gallbladder surgery. Trying to convince her to get a pop u p to start with (ease of storage) and work up. Lots of good deals around just looking for the perfect one that suits her. I can go with anything myself but want her comfy. She wont let me sell the boat to get one either lol. She's the voice of reason around here.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 765
Likes: 5
From: Long Island, NY
We started camping about 5 years ago with a 1991 Class A. 3 years ago we upgraded to a 2007 Travel Trailer. I plan on upgrading to a newer unit in a year or 2. Working my way up.
No one cares what king of RV you have. Just get out and have fun with whatever you got, That is what it is all about.
No one cares what king of RV you have. Just get out and have fun with whatever you got, That is what it is all about.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,202
Likes: 1
From: Frederick MD
Here's my rig 1993 cobra, this is the last year I'm going to be pulling it. Upgrading to something 2005 or newer. I'm sorda glad I started off my camper adventures with something older and more forgiving for screw ups with stuff and leading what you can and can't do.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,138
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From: South Weber, Utah
I agree starting off cheap is the way to go, you can usually find a good trailer for a few grand. This is our 93' 24' terry resort that we paid 4000 for 10 years ago and still use it and the best part is there is no payment.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,414
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From: Tucson USA
To OP, run the bags to about 55psi and see how that works. I have them on my 04 but the slide in I had would not work since the tailgates are narrower than they used to be. I carried the camper on my 89 for a long time. Anyhow yes you can get some newer trailers for cheap, just sold a 22 ft to a kid just starting out and needing a place to live. The Son in Law just pulled my TT with our truck for 1st time. Had no issues as expected and now is looking forward to kids fall break as they want to go out gain for a week. Dont know if he will use my truck or his chebby tahoe? Has to get it set up for towing 1st.
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Junior User
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Just to reiterate, this is a truck camper and not a trailer. I got a truck camper so that I could flat tow my jeep which works really well. Just not sure what to make of air bags, if I am overloaded past the ability of air bags, or if its better if I just use the stock overload springs. Everything I read , the F350 drw should handle the camper just fine.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,424
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From: BC Canada
The dually springs and overloads will handle it fine. I suggest you try lowering to 65 or 60 or 55 lbs in each air bag as above and see what it handles like. Also, are the airbags isolated from each other? They need to be the most effective.
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2009
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Yes, each bag is isolated, and independent of each other. I'll try your suggestion of 65, 60 and 55. If not, I'll just use the air bags as a way to level the camper when stopped.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2012
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From: Spanaway
Sean
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Truck still running good, temps are on the high side, especially the oil temps, 234 was the highest going up the grade coming out of Medford. Water was 218.
I'm hitting easy street
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,395
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From: Central Oregon
I loaded 35 psi of air on those bags. Just enough to smooth out the ride, but not enough to take out the overload springs. Truck did alot better, but I am thinking of bigger pads to engage the overloads sooner.
Truck still running good, temps are on the high side, especially the oil temps, 234 was the highest going up the grade coming out of Medford. Water was 218.
Truck still running good, temps are on the high side, especially the oil temps, 234 was the highest going up the grade coming out of Medford. Water was 218.