Truck Camper Questions ??

[beartrace]

I just purchased a 1998 Aplenlite Limited 9' 10" truck camper that will weight in at about 3000 lbs loaded. I know my GVWR is 8800 lbs but I'm not sure what the truck weighs with no load?? I suspect that I'm going to be close to GVWR or a little over after loading the truck camper. I have a 2500 with a 3. 54 & automatic.



What is the best way to beef up the truck to handle this load?



The dealer told me that air shocks are OK but they can leak or fail. They said I would be better off having them install their heavy duty helper springs that they will torque down after the camper is loaded so that it will ride completely level. I do have the factory camper package but they say that this other spring package is much better. Also said that when the camper is unloaded the truck will not ride any different that stock. They say the springs only come into play when they have a load on them.



Any experience with a 3/4 ton truck with this type of load would be much appreciated. Sorry for the long post !!

 

[JWhitcomb]

When you mention air shocks, are you really talking about air bags? There are both with the air bags being the more effective, in my opinion. If it were me, I would add the extra leaf and a air bag set up, in cab control optional. Seems to me the best way to handle your load. With the air bags you have to option of stiffening up the system by degrees.

 

[WyoJim]

My truck is about like yours. Weighs about 6740 without the camper. Weighs 9720 with the camper.

Setting the camper on the stock truck lowers the rear 2 inches.



My springs are still stock and will stay that way. I see no reason for air bags, but did have a shock start to leak, so I replaced them with Rancho 9000's. Haven't had the camper on to try them yet. I also just installed the Torque Lift Camper hold downs and havn't used them yet.



This outfit has been across country and back 6 times and runs 13 to 16 MPG depending on the wind. The EZ picked up about 1 mpg, but made the TC slip which was cured with the DTT Valve Body.

 

[HavinFun]

On my 97 3/4 cc w/ camper and tow pkg. I added rancho 9000's on all corners, they really helped. Rears on 5, fronts on 3. I also added airbags, IMHO, a bad deal. Even with seperate fill lines, I still had an unacceptable amount of sway and hobbyhorsing on the road. After a while, I removed the bags and let the truck sit on the factory overoads. Huge improvement.



It could be that I could not find the sweetspot with my setup, I don't know.



BTW, this was with a different camper than now. 9. 5' 11,000lbs total, loaded, before trailer, 7,000 on rear axle alone, hence the new truck.



One big change that I didn't like was when I changed tires from 285 BFG A/T's to Wild country 285s. The flex and wander going down the road was scary, esp. going over the mountains.

 

[RobG]

The #1 mistake people make with airbags is they install them on top of the factory overload springs. They DO NOT work this way. You MUST remove the overloads or you're wasting your time and money.



My airbags work great (except for a leaking in-cab control that Rickson Truck was unwilling to replace under warranty), so I just have to constantly refill the right airbag when travelling.



For sway reduction, I have a huge Hellwig rear swaybar and the RS9000 shocks (fronts on 4, rears on 5). My truck always sits level with the camper loaded.



I can't post a pic of it here because of the pathetic 32k file size limit, but if you wanna see how level it sits, click on the link to my website in my sig and then click on the [My Lance Camper] link at the bottom of the page.



Rob

 

[HavinFun]

Mine were mounted above the overloads. After looking at it awhile, I shortened the mounting bolts to go around just the overload spring, not the whole spring pack. One reason I removed mine was that unless there was a ton of air in them to raies ride height, they were effectively another bumpstop, only allowing a short amount of travel. Is this the mistake I made?

 

[dresslered]

One thing to remember with the 3/4-ton trucks is not to exceed the rear tire load limits. This is often the limiting factor in what you can carry.

 

[JWhitcomb]

RobG, HavnFun,

I did install the bags on top of my over loads and the bump stop effect is there. When I get around to it I will remove the overload or I might try adding an extra overload. RobG, does your truck have or did have one or two overloads leafs? Ddressler's truck came stock with two, mine one, same year truck.

 

[RobG]

If I remember correctly, mine had two, though I won't swear to it. I did notice that mine seemed to have fewer than other trucks I'd seen.



I sold mine (and the stock swaybar) to a guy from down south, and we just swapped our U-bolts so everything fit correctly on our respective trucks.



I also managed to fit my Roadmaster Active Suspension setup on there without removing the airbags, and I can also see how it could be installed without removing the helper springs if anybody wanted to... at least I think I can.



Rob

 

[roadranger]

No air bags

Originally posted by JWhitcomb

RobG, HavnFun,

I did install the bags on top of my over loads and the bump stop effect is there. When I get around to it I will remove the overload or I might try adding an extra overload. RobG, does your truck have or did have one or two overloads leafs? Ddressler's truck came stock with two, mine one, same year truck.

The camper dealer installed the air bags on top of the factory helper springs on my truck. I didn't like them AT ALL, and took 'em off.

Now, the truck rides down on the helper springs, sits level instead of tail high, and is MUCH more stable going down the road.



beartrace- Put Rancho 9000 shocks on your rig, and get load range E tires. The factory camper spring pkg. works FINE.

My truck weighs 7200 with fuel and me and the wife on board. Camper is stickered for 2400 lbs, but once it's loaded up ready to go it's 3200lbs

You do the math... 15,000 miles traveled last season with no problems.



JWhitcomb- my '01. 5 has the single THICK helper spring on it. DC changed spring suppliers somewhere down the line.

 

[JWhitcomb]

RobG,

Darn, I was hoping you still had the overload since I live close to you. The more I think about it I may add a second since Ddressler tells me the only time his come into play is when he has his camper on. Mine right now is really down on the spring and bags but I am loaded with nearly 6000 pounds of metal. It has to stay there one more day so I have the bags pumped to 100 psi. Down in the butt however I only have to move it ten miles.



The reason I left the spring on is for situations like now and for insurance in case the air fails.

 

[RobG]

JWhitcomb:



That's really odd... I know your camper weighs probably 400 lbs more than mine (since I figured the new 1161 would be 600 lbs more, the reason I decided not to get it)... yet before I put the air bags on, when the truck still had the overloads, I loaded the camper once just to move it into my neighbor's driveway (long story). Anyway, at that time, my 4400 lb. camper only barely touched the overloads, and basically the truck sat level or maybe slightly below level.



I just came inside from moving the camper from my driveway to the other side of the house and back (I have a sewer dump line over there which is very handy), and I left the airbags totally deflated. Again, the truck sat perfectly level. BUT, I do have the Roadmaster setup on there now, so I suspect that may be helping.



We both have duallies, so I wonder what the deal is...



Rob

 

[dalton4]

I am using Firestone air bags and a Hellwig anti sway bar on rear (no overload springs). This setup has performed well with my Lance 990 weighing in at about 3400 lbs. empty. Being able to adjust bags to load at hand is a nice feature and provides a comfortable ride.



Jerry

 

[JWhitcomb]

RobG

I don't know what the Roadmaster is but it must be helping the situation. My camper when loaded with all the kitchen stuff, snow boards, clothing, water, ect. weighs 4700 pounds and the GVW is just shy of 13000. Without the air bags it would sit down in the butt to what seemd to be three inches off level. I never really measured it but I think it is a good guess. With the bags inflated to 50 psi on one side and 70 psi on the other the bed is level. The slide makes it necessary to pump the one side up, I think the slide adds about 300 lbs.

 

[JWhitcomb]

Roadranger

I noticed the THICK in your post.



Ddressler, look for me in your parking lot at the end of the day sometime next week. I will bring a caliper to see if our springs differ in thickness.

 

[dresslered]

Better bring a yard stick!



Actually, the suspense was killing me so I ran out there to measure tonight. I get 0. 224" thick x 2 leaf springs. Sound right?

 

[JWhitcomb]

David

Is that . 224 the same over the entire spring? Mine appears to be tapered. I will measure tomorrow and post.

 

[dresslered]

I thought it was the same but I may be wrong (it was dark and cold out). I'm not bringing the truck in tomorrow but it will be there on Monday.

 

[Cobra]

Truck Camper

I haul a 2000 Coachman which weighs in at 3000 lbs. I started out completely stock and made a run to fla last winter. Upon return I bought and installed air bags. Later made another run to fla. Did not like the air bags and upon return I took them off.



I replaced my stock shocks with Rancho 9000 but have not hauled the camper yet. Going to flas in feb then I'll know.



My truck has the sway bar in rear, camper pkg, and E rated tires.



You don't have to do anything at all and that truck will haul that camper with no problems.



I am alittle over wt and you will be too but the CTD won't know or care. Life is good.

 

[dresslered]

Cobra-

You're not the first person that I have heard that has been displeased with the airbags. In fact, I have even been warned against them by a dealer. This is probably why I have never tried them. So far, I've been running stock but will be upgrading to the 9000's as well.