Is the camper package just for a slide-in? The picture on the build page shows one being towed. The reason I ask is it comes with a rear stabilizer bar which might be nice on the SRW, but it also comes with heavy service front springs. I've researched the heavy front springs and decided not to do that since Ford even recommends not unless you're going to mount something heavy to the front. I have a tractor for that stuff, so I am not doing it. I do tow gooseneck equipment trailers and I want to be sure that I'm not missing a good package for $160.

You guys gave me some good advice on the trailer camera prep package so I am asking yet again what people are doing with regard to another order option.

 

My opinion. Avoid the heavy service front springs like the "plague" UNLESS you are truly going to need them. When I ride in a truck without them then ride in mine, it is a noticeable difference to me.

With that being said, I have had the factory sway bar on my 2009. My 2012 F-350 didn't come with one from the factory, so I added a Hellwig. That was money WELL spent, even over the factory setup.

 

I was debating the same thing. I "do not" want the stiffer ride up front with the exra spring, but liked the idea of the rear sway bar. Besides that it is a sticker. So, like the LED headlamps, I will just buy them and install when I can get them from dealer parts dept or after market. I am going with a Lariat 350 SRW, I need to seat 6.

 

I always ordered the camper package for rear stabilizer and upgrade front springs, never really thought it rode bad. My trucks in my sig have the snowplow package and they ride rough.

 

I'd expect that the heavier front springs would also tend to make you coon hunt when towing a heavy trailer.

 

I use a slide in camper. In this forum, one of the few...The camper package upgrades the front springs 1 level. On an f250 it adds helper springs in the rear. It also adds a real anti sway bar and it gives you a certification of compliance for center of gravity per their specifications. An F350 SRW you get less value. Still front spring unless already at the maximum and a rear anti sway bar and the certification. Right or wrong I bought it. The closer I am to ready to go the better.

 

Thanks guys. Josh has a good point about adding a sway bar aftermarket. The "heavy front spring" in the order guide appears to be 1 level up as Rasalas says. That's different from the "heavy front suspension" option which I think maxes it out. It's only $160 on a f-350 and I get a sway bar installed from the factory. hm.

 

I installed Hellwig anti sway bars front and rear on my F250. They helped with sway and the camper. They also pushed a little harder ride. This time I am starting with a stronger truck. F350 but it is a full 5 inches taller on the bed. I will start with the factory rear bar. I hope to not have to add much to the suspension, if anything at all. My loaded weight is around 3500 lbs. If anything I will add the Torquelift suspension additions which force the helper springs into play earlier. 1 step at a time.

Heavy front suspension or springs is for winches and bumpers. Guide says additional 200 lbs. Snowplow is close to 1000 lbs. Camper is somewhere in between.

 

Rasalas, are you suggesting that since I won't have a slide-in I should forgo this package and just add a rear sway bar later?

Can't a mod fix my typo in the thread title so I can stop being embarrassed?

 

On my 2001 F250 I had the dealer add a factory rear sway bar when I bought the truck for around $120. That was close to a century ago in 2001. It was a 1" diameter. The front already had one. About 5 years ago I needed to replace a second frame link and I decided to upgrade to the Hellwig Big Rig. The cost was around $250 and the bar is 1 1/4" in diameter. It helped reduce the sway the camper imparted on the truck. It also stiffened the ride of the truck when empty but I live with that for decreased roll with the camper.

My advice: If you are going to use a slide in camper I would buy the package. Especially if you are purchasing an F250. The anti roll bar alone needs the help of the increased front springs to help support the camper in turns. I believe that pickup campers are the highest center of gravity loading and with the front overhang one of the heaviest loadings on the front axle. I debated a long time (16 years) about dual rear wheels but I still elected to go with the SRW. It might be a mistake but I do not really want the wide rear end and I do not have the luxury of the truck being single purpose.

After the truck arrives and I try the camper I will decide if I am going to add the torquelift spring helpers which close the space between the helper springs and the main springs. Turn them in before loading the camper and rather than wait for the squat the helpers go to work right away. They get high marks from those who use them including TFL trucks. I do not like the point loading they give to the main spring pack but their customer service reps indicate everything is just fine.(OK?)

I have also used Firestone air ride to help the F250 accept the weight. The biggest issue I have with the air ride is that bringing the truck back to level transfers all the load to the air bags and the truck springs are doing very little. This new truck will be a new engineering adventure and I hope it all works well.

And I also measured everything yesterday thanks to Josh's Tape. The bed of the new F350 is 5" higher than the 2001 F250. Top of the A/C on the camper will be at 11'8". Still 4" short of my 12" shop door. I was afraid that I would be looking for other solutions to store the camper, but that gives you an idea how far up in the air these campers reach.

 

The camper package is a good upgrade for the money when ordering new an F250.
Auxiliary rear spring on F250
upgrade front spring (unless max springs already are computed for truck)
Rear Stabilizer bar
Slide in camper certification.

 

When I ordered my 17 F350 with 18's I had to order the camper package to get the 3.55 rear end. I didn't necessarily want it but got it. As you said the rear sway bar will be nice and should be standard equipment. My 05 SD had the camper package but my 15 didn't and I don't remember any ride differences.

 

I'll definitely never get a slide-in camper. The reason I was confused is on the order guide, the picture associated with "camper package" shows a big 5er being pulled.

 

I believe the "slide in camper certification" is the confusing part. The other items in the package are all pluses to towing a camper as well. Especially the helper springs on the F250.

 

You cannot get the camper package on the F-250. You have to get the F-250 Heavy payload package. The way I understand it this package make the F250 have as much payload as the F350