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Old Dec 1, 2004 | 10:04 AM
  #1  
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Suspension Packages

Hello, Im trying to find out which suspension package is the most heavy duty, front and rear. Camper, Heavy Service, Snow Plow? Do you have to get a combination of them to get the max, or is there one package that covers all the bases? Thank You.
 
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Old Dec 4, 2004 | 10:28 AM
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I think the camper pkg offers the most" bang for the buck". It stiffens the front 1 or 2 levels,adds the same stabilizer as the stabilizer pkg and adds a set of rear overload springs. Cost here (Canada) is a $50 Cdn. bargain.I suspect the snow plow pkg stiffens the front more than the rear.
 
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Old Dec 10, 2004 | 10:38 AM
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I am about to order an F350 with the TowBoss Package. I will tow a 5th wheel that is about 16,000-lbs. Should I be getting the Camper Package, or is that just overkill. I have no intention of ever using the truck with a slide in camper.

On my current 94 F350, the fully loaded weight on the rear axle is about 7,500-lbs., which is right at the GVWR of the rear axle. The 2005 has a GVWR of 9,100 lbs.

Any thoughts on the Camper Package?
 
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Old Dec 10, 2004 | 10:50 AM
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For an MSRP of $160.00, the camper package on the DRW gives you the rear sway bar. I'd go for it.
 
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Old Dec 10, 2004 | 11:19 AM
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Get the heavy service package. Especially for 2wd trucks. It raises front axle capacity and spring rate. It actually makes the truck sit a bit higher up front from what I've heard. Forget factory overloads if getting them means not getting the heavy service upgrade, they don't seem to do anything until the truck is already sagging anyway. The best thing to do would be to add two leaves to the rear spring pack. Even one leaf can make a substantial difference
depending on the spring rate. I had heard somewhere that Ford's stock leaf rates are in the area of 1250lbs per inch flex. This is too soft considering it's a pack containing 4 springs. Adding a spring with 2300lbs+ rating to them should help out alot. Of more value than the auxilliary springs though, is the sway bar,
I don't know if this comes with the heavy service package or not.
 
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Old Dec 10, 2004 | 12:16 PM
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Is the sway bar on DRW vehicles, or is it just on the SRW model. Does the TowBoss package include any suspension upgrades?
 
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Old Dec 10, 2004 | 04:30 PM
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So 2" of spring sag yields 2500lbs? 3" yields 3750lbs? Not too shabby I would say.

Back to the question...the camper pkg in 03 got the heavy service front springs along with the overloads and rear anti sway bar. Not sure about the snow plow pkg. Hope this helps.
 
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Old Dec 10, 2004 | 04:59 PM
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I have an 05 F-350 DRW SC pickup. It has a rear stabilizer bar. Acording to ford's 05 superduty brochure stabilizer bar is standard on DRW, in optional packages on SRW.
 
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Old Dec 10, 2004 | 07:36 PM
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gcon,

Did your truck have the Camper Package, or did it include the stabilizer bar without any suspension packages?
 
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Old Dec 10, 2004 | 07:58 PM
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It did not have camper package. It was ordered with snow plow package, and tow command package. As I posted ford says you get stabilizer bar with DRW.
 
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Old Dec 10, 2004 | 08:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Elkchaser
So 2" of spring sag yields 2500lbs? 3" yields 3750lbs? Not too shabby I would say.

Back to the question...the camper pkg in 03 got the heavy service front springs along with the overloads and rear anti sway bar. Not sure about the snow plow pkg. Hope this helps.
It may not sound like much, but it looks awful in reality. If you notice - GM and Dodge trucks tend to sit a little higher in the back unloaded. The Ford sits almost perfectly level. I like the unloaded level look myself, but any more than 1-1/2 inches of sag and it looks terrible. Your headlights end up illuminating the night sky. Not a big deal for some, but it's alot easier to load 4000lbs in your truck than you may think.
 
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Old Dec 26, 2004 | 12:49 PM
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Does anybody know how the Camper package will affect ride? I am ordering an '05 F250 and the dealer is trying to talk me into the Camper package. I am unlikely to ever have a camper, but may tow an RV trailer or boat. I am more interested in the ride than absolute towing and/or payload capacity.

thanks
 
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Old Dec 26, 2004 | 05:16 PM
  #13  
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i have the camper package and it doesnt affect the ride. as stated you get a rear sway bar which helps cornering. It will also help with a camper (duh) but will also help with towing. the overloads are kind of a joke since you need to load alot of weight for them to even touch and then you are shinning every tree you drive by at night. they need to raise the over load spring up so it contacts its stops sooner.
 
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Old Dec 27, 2004 | 05:21 AM
  #14  
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I have an 05 FX4 CC LB SRW PSD with the camper package. My overload springs have only about 1" to contact the front frame pad and ~ 2" for the rear. It seems that it will be progressive with this (I will check other dealer stock to see if this is typical). The camper package adds 1 up in spring rate in the front (400lbs), rear sway bar and rear helper. I don't have a camper (bought from dealer stock).

I can't comment on differences in ride, mine is pretty stiff but that may be the 'lousy' Continental tires (18") which will not be on my truck for long.

SRW sway bars were removed from being standard on 05 F350 SRW mid model year (per spec book).
 
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Old Dec 30, 2004 | 10:02 AM
  #15  
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I have snow plow prep on my 04 5.4 CC 250 and the ride is much stiffer, not even close to stock trucks. The ride is a DREAM when I have a salter in the back and my plow on the front, otherwise I'm fourwheelin on pavement it seems. If the ride is most important, keep it stock and try some aftermarket mods when you need them. Alot of plow/tow guys swear by timbrens, they are cheap and help with sag tremendously, front or rear.......
 
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