Load adjusting shocks??
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 223
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From: Coquitlam, BC Canada
Load adjusting shocks??
I have a 79 F-250 with a 400 and I carry a camper on in once in a while in the summer. Its handles it fine, drops a little but not to bad at all. But I would like to have a little more stability when you are on the road(swaying from side to side). Has anyone put these load adjusting shocks or air shocks(not the air bags) on there trucks??, if so how well do they work?? my shocks may be on there way out so I would like to consider these options first over the air bag. Kill two birds with one stone! if you know what I mean 
Thanks ,
Joe
Thanks ,
Joe
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 406
Likes: 1
From: cedar rapids usa
Load adjusting shocks??
There are three styles that I know of. One is the complete hydraulic system. Another is the complete air system and the third is air over hydraulic. It all depends on the ride you want and the load you are carrying as to what would work best for you.
The first system, completely hydraulic, works by transferring oil pressure from one side to the other and front to back. When not in the level mode they act like normal shocks. My father has these as well as full lift centering jacks on his 36’ RV. When we installed the system it took us about 6 hours, and a few choice words not suited for small children or tiny dogs. The only thing he dislikes about them is they tend to ride stiff compared to normal shocks.
On my 22’ Winnie I had the 4-corner air system. I loved it but if you forgot to release it you looked weird going down the road. The only draw back to the airbags is if one gives they cost a few pennies and lots of work to replace (mine were inside the coil spring on the front).
I have never owned the hybrid air over hydro thou I have talked to people that say they ride great and work very nice.
The first system, completely hydraulic, works by transferring oil pressure from one side to the other and front to back. When not in the level mode they act like normal shocks. My father has these as well as full lift centering jacks on his 36’ RV. When we installed the system it took us about 6 hours, and a few choice words not suited for small children or tiny dogs. The only thing he dislikes about them is they tend to ride stiff compared to normal shocks.
On my 22’ Winnie I had the 4-corner air system. I loved it but if you forgot to release it you looked weird going down the road. The only draw back to the airbags is if one gives they cost a few pennies and lots of work to replace (mine were inside the coil spring on the front).
I have never owned the hybrid air over hydro thou I have talked to people that say they ride great and work very nice.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 146
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From: Lawrenceville USA
Load adjusting shocks??
I have a 79 F150 and just got a camper with naturally even worse results. I put on air shocks in the rear, and good new shocks in the front, and it helped a lot, but not enough. I ordered some helper springs (helwig) in an meager attempt to make my F150 more like a F250, and with the air shocks, we will see how it does. New shocks will help, and air shocks help even more, although mine need up to 200 PSI, and I have to go to a shop to fill it over 125 (that's all I have at home). There are sway bars available for close to $200 an axle, which will be my next possible addition if the helwigs don't help much. Try the shocks first, both sets were under $100.
