I have a 2012 Ford F250 4x4 Crew Cab with 8 foot bed. It's pretty bare bones, no camper options or such like. My rear leafs consist of 3 leaves, or maybe 2 leaves and 1 overload, not sure about that bottom leaf. No rear anti-sway bar.

I want to buy an Alaskan Truck Camper. It will take me another year to save up enough for a new Alaskan. In the mean time, I'm keeping my eyes open for a good, suitable USED Alaskan, but frankly, good used Alaskans are rarer than honest politicians.

Alaskan says that the dry weight on a 10 foot unit is 1705 lbs. and the wet weight is 1961 lbs. And yes, I know that by the time I add on all my junk, clothes, bedding, food, etc. it's going to weigh a bunch more than that.

I seek advice on upgrading my suspension. I've been looking at Timbrens, SuperSprings, and SumoSprings. (I'm retired, and have no need, nor plans, to remove the camper from the truck, so I've ruled out air bags.) I'm also considering new springs from Deaver. Deaver says my stock factory spring rate is 2700 lbs. They have two replacement number available. #43-1717 has a 3700 lb rate for $762, and #43-681HD has a 4400 lb rate for $792.

So which would you recommend, and why? Plan A is the stock factory springs with aftermarket help. Plan B is new springs from Deaver. (Plan C, get an F350 with the camper options, is off the table.)

If Plan A, WHICH aftermarket parts? I see that SuperSprings has 5 different part numbers for my truck, ranging from 1500 lbs to 3300 lbs additional support. Or Timbrens? Or SumoSprings?

If Plan B, which Deaver part number do I need?

Oh, and I'm planning for new shocks. I'm thinking Bilsteins 5100s. Comments?

And I've replaced my front bumper with a heavier Buckstop winch bumper and winch, so I'm thinking Timbrens up front. Comments?

 

If the camper is going to stay in the truck I'd go with the Deavers, can't help you with the one you need though. I've seen plow trucks with Timbrens up front but personally I'd swap out the coil springs with some heavier ones.