3500's and cab over campers?

[Texas Diesel]

We just got our new Lance Max 1181. We were told that we needed air bags (by several others) so we had the dealer install them.



Problem is that the air bags (Air Ride brand) keep the truck off the overloads. I sent a pic to Air Ride and they said they were installed correctly. But with the truck off the overloads it tends to "sway", not the right word. More just "leans" in the corners. Another 1181 owner we know that uses a DRW Duramax said his did that same thing unil he lowered the air bag pressure just till his overload springs were touching.



I cant do that, my air bags are completely deflated when the overloads touch.



My air bags are installed outside the frame between the leaf spring and frame. His are installed inside the frame between axle and frame.



I have several options:



1. Leave as is and live with the "sway" or leaning.

2. Take the air bags off and see how my camper special package does.

3. Get an http://www.suspensionconnection.com/cgi-bin/suscon/83250.html#ITEMIMG and see what that does.

4. Get a larger anti sway bar for the rear to replace the OEM one I have. http://www.suspensionconnection.com/cgi-bin/suscon/7626D4.html



Any comments suggestions appreciated.

 

[RustyJC]

One more suggestion - you could remove 1 or 2 leaves from the main spring pack, letting the air bags provide more of the primary springing function. This might let the rear settle enough to get onto the overloads.



I'm not necessarily recommending this - just raising it as a possibility.



Rusty

 

[Texas Diesel]

At first thought I would have to remove 3-4 leafs (too many) to gain the needed drop. Seems like I need to lose 1. 5-2" to get it to settle on the overloads with the air bags.



The problem seems to be that the upper air bag mount cant be placed high enough because of the bed.

 

[Dieselnerd]

It sounds like you probably didn't need the air bags to start with. I carry a small slide in on my SRW 3500 and when it's first loaded the overloads don't quite touch. After it's on for an hour or so it settles enough to touch the overloads and provides a good anti lean. I used the same camper on my 2nd gen with camper package which included the sway bar. This truck doesn't sway as much as the 2nd gen did. Probably because the springs are farther apart.

 

[Grizzly]

You don't need the air bags. Hopefully you can get credit for them. I would never remove springs from the suspension pack.

 

[NoSeeUm]

Been some time ago, but saw pictures where a guy attached short pieces of square tubing to the end of the overload springs using some u-bolts. Basically takes some experimentation to get it right. He had is set up so that there was about 1/2 inch of clearance to the stop block with his camper on so that the overloads would handle the sway.

 

[Jumbo Jet]

I don't know if it was my pictures, but I built the square tubing spacers and had them installed on the ends of my overloads with my SWB.



My current truck does not have overloads, but does have Ride Rite airbags.

 

[rwitt]

Have you upgraded your shocks? Rancho 9000's will help with the sway.

Rich

 

[Prairie Dog]

A Helwig antisway bar for the back end will take care of the sway.

I'd keep the bags, they ride nicer than bumping into the overload leaf and you can keep your truck perfectly leveled ~ nice for the stance and for keeping your headlights aimed rite.

If your intent on using the factory overloads, you can get Rancho bump stops that are a little bit taller than the stockers. This way you'll contact them sooner and keep the load from settleing as much.

 

[geusterman]

Air bags can be bricks. I have avoided them with extra leafs in the overloads and spacers between the overloads and frame stops to keep my 4K camper from settling too much. There are poly extendo pads that you can mount that reduce the spacing between frame stops and overloads if that works. I like to take my spacers out for running around empty. I just might make some for sale someday. Keep thinking up slick ways to add them fast for a big load. I have a 2" higher KORE front spring which levels the truck empty but with mr. camper on there... headlight trauma for oncoming cars. George

 

[TowPro]

What does you lance weigh? I put my 2Klb Shadow Cruiser in my 02 3500 dually and it just contacts the helper springs onto the perches. Now 2Klbs is what the sticker on the camper says it weighs, but I am also loaded for weekends on top of that.



I would have tried it without air bags first. Get the truck sitting on the helper springs and see if the "lean" on corners don't get better.

 

[Texas Diesel]

I think the 1181 weighs 3450, then add the "stuff".



geusterman, I like your idea. If you decide to sell them ket me know.

 

[TowPro]

Here is a thread that went on for many pages a couple years ago.

click here Go down to the picture. This is what I plan to do on my 06 if needed.



This makes the helper springs come in contact sooner so you don't loose ride hight waiting for them to start working.

 

[wedodgediesel]

I have a Lance 1161 with air bags. I've driven without the air bags inflated and find stability is poor and rear saging. I put 80lbs per bag and truck is stable and level. Leave the aig bags installed and try various air pressures until you find the right setting for your application.

 

[Texas Diesel]

I have a Lance 1161 with air bags. I've driven without the air bags inflated and find stability is poor and rear saging. I put 80lbs per bag and truck is stable and level. Leave the aig bags installed and try various air pressures until you find the right setting for your application.

Any chance you could post or email me a picture of your air bag installation with the camper loaded (or camper off if that is the way it is now)?

 

[wedodgediesel]

picture of air bag, camper off

 

[RAMN4EVR]

I have a 2000 1130 Lance on my 2001 3500. With Air lift bags, Bilsteins (silver ones). IPD sway bar. run 65 lbs in the airbags. I really like the way it handles. go to http://www.ipdusa.com/productscat.aspx?CategoryID=375&NodeID=3297&RootID=637

Check out my truck pics for sway bar pic. Can't wait to get it loaded again.



Gary