What kind of slide-in cabover stabilizers do you use? Percon,Reico or Lance???

[D. Showan]

I posted this question in the irv2 forum and I thought I would get opinions from here also



My understanding is that they are all made by the same company. Percon, Reico, and the ones sold by lance. The ones sold by Lance are skinny like a hatchback strut and have a quick disconnect at both ends. The one sold by the name Percon also go by the name (Reico) and have one quick disconnect at the bottom and two nuts at the top. Those use a Monroe shock at the top(looks kind of bulky in the pictures). My local RV dealer (great guys) called the manufacturer directly and were told that one company(the people he talked to) makes them all(including the Lance ones) and the bulky ones with the Monroe shock on top are actually heavier duty than the Lance versions. The closest Lance dealer wants $260 for the struts plus the price of the special brackets I need . My local RV dealer can sell me the Percon (Reico) ones for around $150 plus brackets.



I'm trying to get some input from people that have used the different styles. Thanks

 

[Utah Willie]

Slide-in stabilizers

Are you referring to the struts with shocks that go from the firewall area up to the cab-over section of your slide-in camper? If so... . do some thinking here. Where does the bottom of the strut connect... is it just sheet metal?... . Try the shocks... are they easy or hard to compress/extend? The original struts were devised by a guy who traveled the I-10 around Ontario California... . the humpiest place for pickup campers in the world! The struts did Jack S--- to eliminate the problem, but did wonders for the inventor's bank account. I run a Lance 3000 Squire, extended cab and have had trouble only when, in haste on a short trip, I didn't install the rear tie-downs. Now, I always install them and a zillion miles later... no problems. Do not fear... . you will not need those front stabilizers... .

 

[DocStressor]

I've talked with a lot of folks about stabilizers before I got mine. They make a big difference with an extended cab with a short bed. People with longer wheel bases or shorter cabovers don't seem to need them. I have the skinny Lance versions and they work for me. But the weakest part of all of these systems is how they mount to the cabover. Mine were installed with just 2 screws and some silicon sealer. They pull out all the time and have to be re-tightened. I would use 4 screws if I had to do it over. The lower mounts also tend to rattle. But like I said, they work. They eliminate porpoising on uneven road surfaces.



I would go with the cheapest solution. The concept is simple and you really don't need very stiff shocks to get the desired result.

 

[RADdodge]

Utah Willie has a very good point. I just posted on another thread about when I test drove my Camper, the truck (shocks were stock) would porpoise on the freeway. I figured I would have to add some of those stabilizers between the Camper and the Cab. Then I installed Rancho shocks. Same problem with the Rancho shocks adjusted the same. However, when we lowered the setting for the front shocks, the porpoising (rocking) on the freeways stopped. I’m not talking about the shocks reducing the effect, I’m talking about the shocks eliminating the problem. Gone.

 

[D. Showan]

I also think Utah Willie has a very important point. Having different valving between the shocks at the front and those in the rear should really help stop the porpoising some people experience. I haven't used mine much yet but so far that phenomena has not occured. What I notice is a inch or so wiggle up down and side to side front of camper vs. cab of truck. I think the struts will help smooth out the wiggles for any passengers in the back. Please don't read me the riot act about having passengers in the back, I know the dangers.

 

[bkaiser]

I've been running a Coachman 115SE extended cabover (3100# wet) in a 1990 D350 for 6 seasons now. The cabover hangs over the windshield far enough that the windshield doesn't get wet if I'm standing still in a rain storm. If any combination should porpoise, this is it! I do not have any front stabilizers. Occasionaly, I'll have a slight porpoising at about 55 MPH. If I punch through it, by 60 life is fine. I do have the camper tied to the frame at the front and the bed at the rear. My truck does not have ANY swaybars but does have big Monroe shocks. Can hardly wait to see how much easier life will be with the new truck!

 

[D. Showan]

Ordered the Percon style today. They said if I don't like them they can be returned, so I'll try them out and let everyone know what I think

 

[Reddog1]

I would not mount any front stabilizers, even if they were free.



For years, I have had slide-in campers, as have many of my friends. The front stabilizers are very hard on the truck sheet metal and/or camper.



Correct your suspension problems. My Ram needed the adjustable shocks and sway bar. The adjustable shocks are in the rear only, but will be added to the front. I also tie my camper to the frame, not the bed.



I did add airbag overloads. They are great.



I no longer have a problem with the porpoise issue.



With the suspension setup, I do tend to forget the 2600 lbs in the bed, and often go a little fast (no problem, just fast) around turns.



Years ago, we used the truss method of reducing frame flex. We still returned to correcting the suspension.



This sounds harsh, but why not weld the box to the cab?





Wayne