Upgrades on a 2003 SRW 3500 2WD for Lance slide in camper at max GVWR?

[Tuesdak]

Looking at the best setup on my 2003 SRW 3500 2WD for Lance camper use. So far I am weighing the following: PacBrake Airbags, 19.5 tire and wheels, Hellwig Big Wig Rear Sway Bar, and am open to ideas.

The 19.5 tire/wheel change is the big question mark for me.

The truck has an open diff and I wonder if a TrueTrack would be a good option for campgrounds? Perhaps the camper weight makes a traction device unnecessary? No serious offloading planned as it is a 2WD after all.

I will be traveling light and removing some things like the rear tag and 5th wheel hitches for weight reduction.

 

[SnoKing]

Just by a new dually and load her up. The new generation trucks are super nice. Snoking

 

[Bill Stockard]

Looking at the best setup on my 2003 SRW 3500 2WD for Lance camper use. So far I am weighing the following: PacBrake Airbags, 19.5 tire and wheels, Hellwig Big Wig Rear Sway Bar, and am open to ideas.

The 19.5 tire/wheel change is the big question mark for me.

The truck has an open diff and I wonder if a TrueTrack would be a good option for campgrounds? Perhaps the camper weight makes a traction device unnecessary? No serious offloading planned as it is a 2WD after all.

I will be traveling light and removing some things like the rear tag and 5th wheel hitches for weight reduction.

The voice of experience here... I've hauled heavy 4,000lb.+ Lance campers on a 2nd gen and a 3rd gen 3500 rear wheel drive dually trucks for thousands of miles all over the western US. Depending on what size Lance you have, the only addition I suggest you add upper Torklift StableLoads on the rear axle bump stops. I wouldn't spend the extra money for 19.5 wheels and tires. You already have enough tire rating capacity on your 17" wheels and tires and since you won't be doing serous off-roading your open diff will be sufficient. Air bags, while they may level you truck front to rear, will create more sway. I didn't have air bags on my dually trucks, but used the StableLoads instead which made great sway free driving in strong cross winds and passing 18-wheelers on two lane roadways. Torklift StableLoads are available from several retailers and are an easy bolt on no-drill installation. I bought mine at Amazon.com

Try hauling your Lance without the anti-sway bar and if feel the need for more sway control, I suggest you add the Hellwig Big Wig anti-sway bar. It won't affect the empty ride, but will make your truck much more stable hauling a high center of gravity load such as a slide-in truck camper. Good luck.

Bill

 

[TJJEEPER]

Bill pretty much nailed it BUT I disagree on the air bags. I've got the individual air line bags so I can adjust side to side. With my Lance (995) it is heavier on the slide side so I run about 20 lbs more air on that side. The biggest single improvement was the Hellwig BigWig. Amazing difference in feel and confidence on the curvy roads.

 

[wcjp]

I also agree with the Stable Loads. Add those first. If Airbags are still necessary you can add them later. I installed Pacbrake airbags and rear sway bar before buying my Truck Camper. The Stable loads were not invented yet. After adding the Stable Loads I only add enough air to the bags to prevent them from inverting. I no longer depend on them.

19.5's really help stabilize the load. My first set was Toyo 608z mud terrain tire. They were a great tire. Too aggressive for hauling. Now running some BFG steer tires at all four corners. These street tires are so nice on the pavement. The BFG's were also very easy to balance. The 608z's took some work to somewhat balance. I also have Rancho 9k's. When empty, setting 3 all around. When heavy, 7 front, 9 rear.

 

[Ozymandias]

If you want to go with airbags then ad also two ping tanks, it will smooth out the way it works, goes a lot softer over obstacles.
Also pings help to keep the frame happy. Airbags without are very harsh.

 

[fkovalski]

I keep true to the Kiss principle. first step was to install taller bump stops made from 2' TS. this engages the upper springs sooner with less weight required,

I also installed felling wedges as suggested by a member here, they are in between the thick bottom overload and the bottom of the leaf springs. it take less weigh to engages these lowers sooner. It rides like a truck should.

I use Nitto Terra Grapplers 285/78/17 with a Load Index of 126 on stock steel wheels. Stock tires in SRW do not have though weight capacity in single wheel fashion


In my opinion, anyone running a camper with a SRW should step up to a higher LI tire. I have found that for all but the smallest of TC campers then stock size tire will be overloaded.

Aslo have the aftermarket Hell Wig sway bar.

 

[AH64ID]

17" wheels and tires have anemic ratings compared to similar sized 16 and 18" wheels/tires are very easy to exceed the rating on.

I would hit the scales and see what you come in at with the camper loaded up.

 

[Tuesdak]

No kidding!
3195 LBS per tire for 17".

http://us.coopertire.com/Tires/Light-Truck/Discoverer-HT3.aspx

 

[AH64ID]

No kidding!
3195 LBS per tire for 17".

http://us.coopertire.com/Tires/Light-Truck/Discoverer-HT3.aspx

There were some that were over but they are quickly disappearing. It's pure BS thanks to the TRA capping 17" tires to a LI121 (3195), so the ones that read over 3195 will be reduced to 3195 in the near future.

 

[jeepit]

fkovalski,
What length are those wedges?