suspension setup for a camper& trailer

[JedRattle]

I have an`05 3500 srw 4x4 qc lb. I just got a newer lance cab over camper. It's in great shape and the price was right. I put it on the truck and handles worst then the old one. Please no flaming! I know (now) I should have gotten a drw but I can't change that now. I was thinking a sway bar, better shocks and maybe some airbags. Who makes a rear sway bar for this truck? What about shocks? I was think about good adjustables so when it's empty or loaded I can adjust them. Are the air bags worth it? One guy I talked to said it was a waste of time and $$$. Another said it helped out. What's the real deal? I tow a 20ft flat bed with a car on it behind it as well. I am going to get the equalizer hitch set up along with sway control. Thanks for the help and advice.

 

[tgbol]

Hellwig makes a sway bar set up for your truck. And I would definitely put Firestone air bags on it. The air bags will allow you to level the load no matter how you are loaded. The sway bar can cause some problems when unloaded like accelerated tire wear in the rear.

 

[dward]

First, get the Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks. This really helps with the side to side sway. I run level 5 in fnt and 9 in the rear loaded.

I have the airbags and an incab controller and it is nice to be able to adjust them and level the rig.

The problem with the bags is if you run them with too much pressure, you bypass the stock suspension and cause the truck to sway. The pressure will depend on the weight of the camper. I run about 65 psi with my 11 1/2' Lance.

One thing I noticed on the newer Dodge 3500's, is that to engage the overload springs, the truck really has to squat down, way more than I like. I prefer to keep it fairly level, and there is about 2" of space before the overloads engage. I am going to try to find a replacement stop that is about 3" bigger so the overloads will engage sooner and then use the bags to fine tune the setup. I think if I get the overloads to work, alot of the sway will be eliminated.

Which Lance did you get?

 

[bmoeller]

Kelderman air ride. www.keldermanairride.com Don't have it yet, but it is on the wish list.



Really like my Bilstein shocks. The ones I have aren't adjustable, but it still rides better than the junk stockers.

 

[jwduke]

Maybe some 19. 5 wheels & tires would be of help, too.

 

[rluft]

I have been real happy with the Rancho 9000 shocks. The abilityto adjust them to the load is real handy.

 

[JedRattle]

19. 5's are something I was thinking about for load range and wear until I found out pricing on the wheels and tires



Kelderman is something I am really interested in because these 1tons bonuce and shake a bunch when empty. This truck is my first new vehicle and I need it to last at least 10-12 years. I am afraid that all the bouncing and shaking will ruin the truck in about 5-6 years (body wise). I'm hoping that the air ride system would solve that (more the most part). I would like to talk to someone with this system first.



I am not worried about tire wear with the sway bar... . I am 160lbs and most of it is in my right foot!! :-laf Yes I pay for it! lol



I have 9000's on my powerwagon which is what got me to think about adjustable shocks. I am looking at Walker Evans shocks. He make some adjustable ones that are... ... . the best description... . like an adjustable bilstein. A little pricey. . $250 each I am not sure yet.



I got a 1990 Lance squire 9. 4 . It was owned by an older couple. It's like brand new inside and the outside is just as nice!! Everything works! All of it, expect the battery, it won't hold a charge. My first camper was a `68 Red dale... never heard of them. I was very basic! The Lance has a shower and toilet. I plan to take it out after the first of the year.



Air bags to level it out, is a very much needed item. I can't get out of the drive way with the camper and trailer hooked up. It get's stuck on the hitch!

Would someone with bags be nice enough to post a pic of them installed?



Thanks for the responses!!

 

[tandersen]

The 19. 5" are expensive but well worth it. Them along with torklift tie downs made the biggest improvement on my truck. I also have air lift bags which are also handy for leveling when parked. This is the largest anti-sway bar but I still have the stock one. http://ipdusa.com/productscat.aspx?CategoryID=375&NodeID=3297&RootID=637