I bought the Hellwig Bigwig. I have not installed it yet because I am waiting on a add a leaf kit.

 

Jefe, if you don't mind I'm curious what drove your decision to go for the OEM sway bar as opposed to Hellwig? I'm currently torn between the two myself. I have an F-350 Tremor, so it did not come with a rear sway bar (no option for camper package with Tremor). My camper is a bit heavier than yours - 2357 lbs dry weight. After filling 60 gallon fresh water tank, propane, toilet water, and food I'm pushing 3,000lbs. I know Ford rates the OEM sway bar for campers over 3,000lbs but am lacking real world experience as this is my first camper.

How has the OEM bar been working for you so far? Do you think it would be fine for wet weight of 3,000lbs - or for a rig slightly heavier than yours is the Hellwig necessary? Like you, I prefer to get far off the beaten path and like having a slightly softer ride to tackle terrain. I'm just concerned if the OEM bar would be enough for tight mountain cornering at speed and facing high winds.

Thank you for any input you can provide.

 

Something is wrong here.
I typed a long answer to AK and after pushing the post quick reply button, it disappeared into the ether.
This has happened several times in the last week.
Whom have I offended to have this result?
jefe

 

The pixie's and magic smoke work in mysterious ways, my friend. You may have just randomly been selected in the grand pull out of the hat! LOL! Having had this and had to really concentrate to not throw the computer out the window, I started highlighting and copying as I type out something long (and you know me, east coast gift for the gab.....) just as a safety measure.

Looking forward to your answer, eventually.....hopefully.......

 

The “long answer” may the issue, as I’ve had a couple of long draft replies apparently “time out” over the years.

When I do a long answer now, I post it “raw” and then go back in and make edits, add pictures, etc.

HTH,
Jim / crewzer

 

Thanks Jim and Bert.
Me thinks the 'long' part was the culprit especially during our high traffic time with AT&T's netgear router.
Everything i send loads very slowly.
jefe

 

AK:
You did not mention whether you had the 6.7 or a gasser.
That makes a difference.
The short answer to AK is:

Get the Hellwig.

My factory bar is right on the edge, but a nice compromise between enough sway control and a relatively smooth ride in the rough with the camper on, without the jerking around you get will the thickest of sway bars, especially with no load.
I'm waiting for a second jobber to fill my separate upper aux spring request.

But that's only the beginning of your quest.
If you haven't already, stroll over to
Truck Camper Adventure and have a read of the many articles on related subjects.
There are a plethora of articles on this forum that cover the subject very well by actual Ford users.
And remember the prime directive in adding a truck camper:
Take it a step at a time, and test each step.
One of those steps is to disconnect one side of the bar after installation and tie up the connector to the frame when off road for a length of time.
This is an old jeeper trick to get more articulation of the suspension, but also negates the jerking and pitching around with the sway bar trying to stay parallel to the frame. Remember, one side only.
I used this technique when we did a 3-day run over the Mojave Road in CA. It was a rough 2-track, historic wagon road with whoops, oceans of sand and washboard. I finally crawled under my sled and released one side of the anti sway bar. It was a relief.
jefe

 

If I may add an additional related question to Jefe's above suggestion, and for those of us in the cheap seats and no first hand knowledge of sway bars:
-When you disconnect the one side, is it the 'end' connection you're disconnecting?
-Once disconnected, are you literally tying the end of the sway bar to some part of the frame, with zip ties or rope, to keep it from hanging low? Or are you tying off some other part of the sway bar system, other then the end of the bar itself?
-With the one side still attached, does the detached side not 'wag'?
(As you can see, I just can picture how this disconnecting one side works, give it's one long bar with one end still attached)
Thanks Jefe!

 

Another short response bit the dust; disappeared into the ether.
This is getting old.
jefe

 

Thank you for the info, Jefe. Bummer about your initial writeup getting lost in the internet ether! I have a 7.3 gasser. I will have the camper permanently mounted on the truck so am not concerned about unloaded ride quality. Was hoping to get away with the OEM bar - both cost savings and having a slightly softer ride - but I don't think I'd want to risk having to shell out a couple hundred $ only to have to upgrade to Hellwig right after.
I have read many of the articles at Truck Camper Adventure. Their discussions on the Hellwig seem more geared towards the heavier Host, and >4,000lb campers. Trying to find that middle ground having a camper between a Host and Four Wheel Camper in weight.

 

* I'm as far from a computer guys as I am a vehicle guy, but.......
Have you tried logging off/closing the forum page and reentering? Or, shut down your computer and restarting. It's a spanking that sometimes works. I know your frustration......

 

Maybe, to keep trying it on the cheap side, you could get a OEM from a auto wrecker to try? Just throwing that idea out there, just in case. But you're likely in good hands with Jefe's advise, if we can get him back on here! LOL!