My plan is to get a slide-in so that I can pull a boat when me and my best girl retire. Have any of you had to upgrade suspensions or anything on these old trucks? I know some of those campers can get pretty heavy. My truck is the '97 dually in my sig. I've read many of the threads from the camper forum on here but didn't see a whole lot about using these obs trucks.

 

I think it really depends on what size you get. A small to medium will be just fine. If you get the one you want and it feels a touch heavy then just add some airbags and you should be good to go.

 

Yes, air bags! Look at my signature, my 5th wheel is over 4.5 K in pin weight and if it wasn't for bags I wouldn't be level.

 

Thanks guys, I figure air bags at least then. I was worried about it being top heavy in turns and if there was something else to consider. I know from experience that these workhorses can pull like a train but I've never had one with a load like the camper would be. I've looked at some that were 4.5 K and more but I'm thinking that camper weight would probably affect handling differently than 5th wheel weight. That's a nice setup in your sig oldbird. Wish I could sell the farm and just travel in something like that for a few years.

 

Duallys are great candidate's for slide in campers because of their dual wheel configuration unlike the SRW trucks that get over taken on turns or by the wind with the slide in's because of their one tire per side. I put one on my sig truck once and I was white knuckled the whole drive when ever passing a semi or a side wind pushed the truck around, didnt know the weight of it but judging on its size I would estimate that it was close to 4k or even more and stuck out the bed around 2 feet and 3 feet over the roof and was at least 4-5 feet taller tan the cab, i have no air bags and the over load springs were laying on the stops.

 

I converted my truck to dual because it is a lot more stable with the camper. The camper is a Bigfoot 11.5 model. I removed my over loads and use an airbag with a daystar(?) cup to separate the bag from the spring. I have sway bars front and rear as well as traction bar's to keep the axle from twisting. It works well and I am happy with it.

 

Any of you have a suggestion for where to get good air bags for these obs duallys?

 

I got the firestone air bags, ordered online but can't remember where. I usually run 90 psi and they guy on the phone said they test them up to 400 psi.

 

Amazon has Firestone airbags.

 

I purchased a slide in pop up camper, the brand is Four Wheeler campers grandsby model. Mines an older model ('86) and only weighs 800lbs, they are designed for offroad use and built to be light as possible. They are way nicer and lighter than clunky cab covers and mire aerodynamic. I tow a jeep behind it w factory f250 suspension.

 

 

I looked at Airlift and seem to be worth the money. Think I'll pull the trigger.