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Sorry if this has already been discussed. If so please direct me to the thread.
I will be purchasing a Camper in the near future and will likely get one that is technically too heavy for my 250. I see that a lot of people use airbags, but have read that StableLoads would be better.
Do any you have any experience with either of these?
I pull a heavy camper with my 99 F250 4x4. The camper is heavy but it also has a heavy tongue weight. I've been running the Firestone Ride Rite airbags for a couple years. They carry the load well but if I had it to do over I would've just replaced the rear spring pack with an added overload spring for about the same price. Airbags make the truck ride kinda harsh when you're not towing.
I have a heavy slide-in camper that I haul with my F350. I use both air bags and the stable loads. And I love them both! Air bags will level out the ride, but disengage the overload springs. This causes the setup to be somewhat tippy. With stable loads alone, you will keep the overload springs engaged, but the *** end will sag quite a bit. With both, I can level everything out and keep the overloads engaged. It makes for a much more pleasurable drive. For my type of setup, I would definitely recommend both.
I have a heavy slide-in camper that I haul with my F350. I use both air bags and the stable loads. And I love them both! Air bags will level out the ride, but disengage the overload springs. This causes the setup to be somewhat tippy. With stable loads alone, you will keep the overload springs engaged, but the *** end will sag quite a bit. With both, I can level everything out and keep the overloads engaged. It makes for a much more pleasurable drive. For my type of setup, I would definitely recommend both.
I have no experience, but from what I have read the stabiloads are supposed to engage the lower overload spring first causing it not to sag. I thought that was why they were good. If it sags anyway then they serve no purpose. Do I not understand what they are for?
Mine still sags plenty with a heavy *** camper in the bed with just the StableLoads engaged. A lighter load may be supported just fine with only the StableLoads. As I said, they work awesome in conjunction with the air bags. They keep the overload springs engaged when you level out the load with airbags. Side to side motion is greatly reduced.
Having the bags plumbed independently is only required if you have an in bed camper or haul heavy loads in the bed. For a 5th wheel or travel trailer, single compressor with a shared line is OK to two bags.
I installed the Airlift 5000 and prefer this over a mechanical load helper. I only inflate the bags when I have the trailer in my signature attached and other than that they are empty. This allows for my new springs and new shocks to do their job as designed when the bags are not needed.
Having the bags plumbed independently is only required if you have an in bed camper or haul heavy loads in the bed. For a 5th wheel or travel trailer, single compressor with a shared line is OK to two bags.
I installed the Airlift 5000 and prefer this over a mechanical load helper. I only inflate the bags when I have the trailer in my signature attached and other than that they are empty. This allows for my new springs and new shocks to do their job as designed when the bags are not needed.
I have to disagree. Each bag should be plumbed with its own line. If the bags share one line each bag will lose pressure by the down force of the weight of the vehicle while turning. Picture a long balloon, if you put a twist in the center you will have two pressurized sides. But if you don't have the twist to separate the balloon into two sides if you squeeze either side the pressure will just go to the opposite side.
Having the bags plumbed independently is only required if you have an in bed camper or haul heavy loads in the bed. For a 5th wheel or travel trailer, single compressor with a shared line is OK to two bags.
I installed the Airlift 5000 and prefer this over a mechanical load helper. I only inflate the bags when I have the trailer in my signature attached and other than that they are empty. This allows for my new springs and new shocks to do their job as designed when the bags are not needed.
I have to disagree. Each bag should be plumbed with its own line. If the bags share one line each bag will lose pressure by the down force of the weight of the vehicle while turning. Picture a long balloon, if you put a twist in the center you will have two pressurized sides. But if you don't have the twist to separate the balloon into two sides if you squeeze either side the pressure will just go to the opposite side.
I hear you and that is why I went to both Firestone and AirLift before making my purchase. I have a post on here somewhere with direct quotes from the manufacturers stating that a shared line for bags is OK with a 5th wheel or travel trailer setup. If you have an in bed camper, then dual lines is the preferred method.
I tow a 12K lbs 5th wheel with shared line bags per the manufacturer recommendation and they do great. I used to pull a 10K lbs travel trailer with the RoadMaster Active Suspension and that did OK, but not a great job. Those weights are right at the "limit" for an F250, which is what I drive as well.
Due to the weight of the trailer being in the center of the truck, the shared line is more than adequate. Due to the in bed camper being spread throughout the axle of the truck, the dual line is the way to go. I went with the manufacturers recommendations.
I looked for the post with the quotes from about a year ago, but could not find it...
Maybe I missed it in reading between the lines, but he said he was getting a camper that would likely be too heavy. If you are referring to the camper being too heavy, then I guess I was not clear enough when I said "hauling heavy loads". I was referring to a pallet of bricks, water or something similar placed in the bed. Towing a camper is not the same as having a load spread throughout the bed as the anchor point for the camper is centered.
I didn't see anything about a model, mounting style, in bed, 5th wheel or tow behind.
Maybe it was implied that he was getting an in bed camper and I missed it. I miss a lot of things...
It is clear we all have our own opinion on the matter and I don't mind discussing mine or the differences.
I stated my opinion on the matter and the opinion of the manufacturers. Although, I don't always do things by the book either, but with the air bags and for my own use, I went by the book.
Great discussion guys thanks! I apologize I did mean to say Truck Camper as in slide in bed camper.
I am not sure what camper I get. If I get one without a slide I don't make any upgrades until I see how it rides. If I go with a slide I will add the stabiloads first then see if I want bags as the are more expensive and I would probably want them plumbed to an air compressor.
I had an ARB compressor on my old ranger for an air locker and loved it. I would also like an air locker on my 250 but that's $$$.
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