2012 3500 rear sway bar kits -

[Grmoore1964]

Has anyone installed a rear sway bar on a 2012 3500? I've had my truck about a month and just put my Lance 845 in the bed for the first time, mostly to get the new plug on the camper wired correctly and tested. I drove it a few miles and immediately noticed that the rig sways quite a bit - more than my 98 2500 did, but it had bags and the stock sway bar.



The Hellwig kit looks pretty nice - but it only lists it as being available for up to the 2011. That should fit the 2012, shouldn't it? Will the ride quality be affected? I only have the camper in the bed for a few trips a year, so it would be nice if the unloaded ride stayed as it currently is.



Also, i noticed that the bed probably settled 4 or 5" under the weight of the empty camper. With gear and fluids, I'm guessing I'll be at least another 700# - up to around 3000# total. Should I consider air bags? I went up to the 3500 over the 2500 to get the extra bed capacity for this camper, so I'd be surprised if it needed them.



Thanks!



Greg

 

[EGroeneveld]

Short answer NO. Just call Hellwig Monday Morning. When I got my 2011 I had to call and they confirmed that the 2010 kit fit my 2011.



Before you do airbags do the Stabiloads to use the overload springs faster. I ended up with airbags, stabiloads and the incab adjustable shocks but my camper fully loaded ready to camp is about 5K pounds.

 

[Regcabguy]

The stock shocks are mush also. Any gas pressurized unit out there will help with the pitch and yaw. The Hellwigs helped my truck a bunch. If fittment is not an issue,I'd recommend the thicker one. Firestone Ride-Rites will bring the back end up.

 

[Grmoore1964]

I was just looking at my springs and it appears that I don't have an overload spring that would work with the stabiloads. There is a leaf on the bottom that is maybe 1/2" separated from the rest of the leaf stack when empty, but no other overload like I'm used to seeing from my 98. My truck is a SRW - not sure if that makes any difference or not.

I guess I would be surprised that with 3000# in a 3500 that I would need airbags - or am I kidding myself?

Thanks -

Greg

 

[RonD]

I have air bags in my Dually, the newer trucks have longer springs for better empty ride, trucks today are not trucks a few years back, I would consider the air bags.

 

[Bill Stockard]

Has anyone installed a rear sway bar on a 2012 3500? I've had my truck about a month and just put my Lance 845 in the bed for the first time, mostly to get the new plug on the camper wired correctly and tested. I drove it a few miles and immediately noticed that the rig sways quite a bit - more than my 98 2500 did, but it had bags and the stock sway bar.



The Hellwig kit looks pretty nice - but it only lists it as being available for up to the 2011. That should fit the 2012, shouldn't it? Will the ride quality be affected? I only have the camper in the bed for a few trips a year, so it would be nice if the unloaded ride stayed as it currently is.



Also, i noticed that the bed probably settled 4 or 5" under the weight of the empty camper. With gear and fluids, I'm guessing I'll be at least another 700# - up to around 3000# total. Should I consider air bags? I went up to the 3500 over the 2500 to get the extra bed capacity for this camper, so I'd be surprised if it needed them.



Thanks!



Greg

An anti-sway bar will not affect the unloaded ride; however, air bags will... take it from past experience even deflated down to 5 PSI and it's why I removed mine and have Timbrens installed instead. Even with Timbrens, you must be careful about setting the space between the top of the axle and the bottom of the Timbren bag or they too will affect the unloaded ride. I too haul a heavy slide-in truck camper.



Also you need to weigh your truck and camper loaded and ready to travel on a commercial scale. Check the weight on the axles individually and the total weight of the truck and camper. Then go back and weigh your truck unloaded, you might be surprised at the results.



Bill

 

[AH64ID]

I was just looking at my springs and it appears that I don't have an overload spring that would work with the stabiloads. There is a leaf on the bottom that is maybe 1/2" separated from the rest of the leaf stack when empty, but no other overload like I'm used to seeing from my 98. My truck is a SRW - not sure if that makes any difference or not.



I guess I would be surprised that with 3000# in a 3500 that I would need airbags - or am I kidding myself?



Thanks -



Greg

Sounds like you have a SRW truck.



With 3K lbs in my 3500 SRW it squats about 2-3", airbags are not necessary but they help the truck ride, handle, and look better. With a level stance your steering and headlights work better as well.

 

[Bill Stockard]

Sounds like you have a SRW truck.



With 3K lbs in my 3500 SRW it squats about 2-3", airbags are not necessary but they help the truck ride, handle, and look better. With a level stance your steering and headlights work better as well.

Timbrens will not raise the rear of a loaded truck, only limit the spring compression. In your case, you probably need air bags to raise your truck to level for the advantages listed above.



Bill

 

[Grmoore1964]

I am more concerned about limiting sway at this point - the sag under load seems livable for now. It looks like the Hellwig is the best option - ill call them about availability for the 2012. I have the camper in the bed so infrequently that I'd really prefer not to add airbags as maintaining the unloaded ride is a priority for me.

Thanks for all the great advice - ill update here once I install a sway bar-

Greg

 

[AH64ID]

Timbrens will not raise the rear of a loaded truck, only limit the spring compression. In your case, you probably need air bags to raise your truck to level for the advantages listed above.



Bill

I have never liked the idea of timbrens, they are designed for a constant load all the time. Many people who buy them remove them in favor of airbags, I don't recall reading about anyone removing bags in favor of timbrens.

I am more concerned about limiting sway at this point - the sag under load seems livable for now. It looks like the Hellwig is the best option - ill call them about availability for the 2012. I have the camper in the bed so infrequently that I'd really prefer not to add airbags as maintaining the unloaded ride is a priority for me.



Thanks for all the great advice - ill update here once I install a sway bar-



Greg

You will like the sway bar, but don't worry about empty ride. As long as your bags are at 5 psi you wont notice them on an empty truck.

 

[RonD]

I have never liked the idea of timbrens, they are designed for a constant load all the time. Many people who buy them remove them in favor of airbags, I don't recall reading about anyone removing bags in favor of timbrens.







You will like the sway bar, but don't worry about empty ride. As long as your bags are at 5 psi you wont notice them on an empty truck.

I had Timbrens in my 2005 for about a month a few years back, to keep the truck level you had to have the spacing about touching, or maybe 1/2" from touching, when loaded they were OK, but empty they would hit at every bump, I tossed them in the trash can and installed air bags.

 

[zb39]

I love my airbags, loaded or not... ... .