Hellwig Big Wig
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,784
Likes: 8
From: Tomball, Tx
the hellwig BigWig fits any 250/350, long bed, short bed, DRW or SRW - regardless of the wheel size...I have a long bed, crew cab, SRW w/ 20's...the bar fits fine.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 701
From: Minnesota
The rear bar helps a LOT when towing; especially when pulling a 5er in a crosswind.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,778
Likes: 153
I added it since I carried a heavy, HEAVY payload and towed a trailer at the same time.
That is about 5500 lbs in the bed and my trailer (not shown) runs about 2500. Front and Rear BigWig, truck sits level and handles incredibly well on the motorcycle roads.
Truck/camper sits level
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 156
I have the camper package on my truck, so rear sway bar. Just got home from 1st camping trip with the slide in camper. I noticed there to be a fair amount of body roll (truck has stableloads).
would swapping the factory sway bar to the hellwig make much of a difference?
would swapping the factory sway bar to the hellwig make much of a difference?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,778
Likes: 153
I also ran stable loads and they really help with the vertical weight, the swaybar is for lateral loading...run both...
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 156
The real question is: is the Hellwig Big Wig worth spending the $300+ over the the factory bar?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,778
Likes: 153
That said my pref is tight and firm suspension, I want a vehicle that handles and is responsive, that is my driving style. Don't own a caddy, don't want it and I find my KR as comfortable as I want or need. Most of all I like the SAFETY envelope that comes with a swaybar when you are hauling heavy...Note it is adjustable and I ran mine on the center position and wife was VERY happy.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 701
From: Minnesota
Only you can make that call, but YES I have put it on my last 4 F 350's.
That said my pref is tight and firm suspension, I want a vehicle that handles and is responsive, that is my driving style. Don't own a caddy, don't want it and I find my KR as comfortable as I want or need. Most of all I like the SAFETY envelope that comes with a swaybar when you are hauling heavy...Note it is adjustable and I ran mine on the center position and wife was VERY happy.
That said my pref is tight and firm suspension, I want a vehicle that handles and is responsive, that is my driving style. Don't own a caddy, don't want it and I find my KR as comfortable as I want or need. Most of all I like the SAFETY envelope that comes with a swaybar when you are hauling heavy...Note it is adjustable and I ran mine on the center position and wife was VERY happy.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 397
Likes: 8
From: SW New Mexico
Torklift
The rear sway bar is only needed when you are hauling a good load, either in the bed or gooseneck/5er, which is also in the bed. A bumper pull won't affect sway as much, but will somewhat.
The problem with the ANTI-sway bars is they ALWAYS affect the ride quality. That is why I will be using StableLoad by Torklift Intl.
The nice thing about it is you can "turn it off" by rotating the device out of your spring load area. See their web page for full description.
It's not much cheaper, and if you go with both options it may be more, but it only affects the ride when you really need it.
The problem with the ANTI-sway bars is they ALWAYS affect the ride quality. That is why I will be using StableLoad by Torklift Intl.
The nice thing about it is you can "turn it off" by rotating the device out of your spring load area. See their web page for full description.
It's not much cheaper, and if you go with both options it may be more, but it only affects the ride when you really need it.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 397
Likes: 8
From: SW New Mexico
Hire someone to drill the holes then install it yourself.
At the bottom of the web page I referenced above are videos. The last one shows measured differences on several different suspension helpers. All videos are worth a look.
After watching them again now I think I'll go ahead and get them now instead of waiting until I get my slide in camper. I have the short bed, so it won't be near as big as 17 Oaks has, but still 3300lbs.
At the bottom of the web page I referenced above are videos. The last one shows measured differences on several different suspension helpers. All videos are worth a look.
After watching them again now I think I'll go ahead and get them now instead of waiting until I get my slide in camper. I have the short bed, so it won't be near as big as 17 Oaks has, but still 3300lbs.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,707
Likes: 12,846
From: Wyoming
Your statement may be overly broad. At least on my 1/2 ton truck the Hellwig sway bar made unloaded driving quite a bit more stable. Mine had no sway bar at all.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 156
We have an Arctic Fox 811. We have a very well outfitted short bed model. It is a great "small" camper for our family of 4 (2 young children). We got it mid-summer last year, but only have a few trips in it. We are still getting used to it, but now are starting to enjoy it.
We looked at a few different models/brands and ended up with the AF.
Because of that, I also ended up with a new truck
The AF is heavy.