hard3
southern Illinois
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Joined: 07/10/2009
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I've got a 2003 F250 swb 4x4 . weight is just barely touching overloads on flat ground. On rough roads it bounces on overloads rocking side to side. Will stable loads help this without airbags installe? When you look at torklifts info on them they say to use with air bags , but I've seen posts here without bags. The truck squats a bit with camper and tends to wollow on bumpy roads. Planning on hellwig rear sway bar also.
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davedye
New Columbia, Pa. 17856
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Joined: 05/11/2004
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Can't help with the Ford info, however, I have installed on my Dodge dually and they are wonderful, no air bags needed for me.
Dave
2006 Dodge Ram Dually, 3500 Quad Cab 4X4, 4.10 Gears, Cummins Diesel
2008 Lance 981 Max, Torklifts, Class V Reese Tow Beast with 24" extension, Torklift Stable Loads
2005 Triton DV 176 DV w/150hp Mercury Optimax
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kcabpilot
CA
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Joined: 04/07/2008
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If you do install airbags you will also need to install Stable Loads or something equivalent. Otherwise your overload springs will be useless. So I would install the Stable Loads first and see if they do the trick without airbags. If not then install the airbags afterward but it sounds to me that you stand a good chance of not needing them.
1994 Lance 990 on 1997 F350 PSD Dually "Rhino Haunches"
We also have a 'truck' that FLYS
Our recent camping trips
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jefe 4x4
West Slope, Northern Sierra Nevada
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Joined: 01/21/2004
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I'm assuming you have, and must have secondary springs (also called over loads).
They look something like this:
The thick black leaf at the bottom is also called an 'overload' spring.
I would say get the Stable Loads installed first. They do fine on my 3/4 T. Dodge with the one-ton secondaries seen in the above pic.
With wheel well liners and a class V hitch, they were a b---h to install.
Eliminated most of the squat.
Ford uses a similar S.L. setup as my Dodge.
IMHO, air bags have a lot of recoil, like coil springs do. Good old ancient technology leaf springs have enough friction and drag to not have much recoil. So, taking advantage of already on there leaf springs is a good thing.
You will see a BIG improvement with a thick anti-sway bar on the rear axle.
As an aside, my truck has less than 1", maybe 1/2" clearance between the Stable Load blocks and the secondary pack and rides O.K. empty if I only hit tiny little road surface imperfections. But any rougher roads empty and the thing rides like a 6x12. Same if I have ANY load in the bed. Fine. I can live with it considering the benefits when hauling a load.
Many folks on here report the same unloaded ride as before Stable Loads.
regards, as always, jefe
'01.5 Dodge 3/4T, CTD, HO, Qcab, SB, 4x4, 6spd, D60, D80+Pwr Loc,
camper&tow pkg,Titan V, 285/75R-16 frnt, 33/14.5 Nitto super singles rr,
Rancho 9K's, Warn M15K winch. tows Jeep CJ8 rock crawler on 14' trailer
'98 Lance Squire Lite 165s, 8' 6" X Cab
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trvsdad1
peoria,az.
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Joined: 08/04/2008
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YES, YES, YES, stable loads work. I have them on my F350 with airbags. You won't have to air up the bags as much either. I love them.
TRVSDAD1
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mylundboat
Wisconsin
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Joined: 09/02/2009
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I second the last post. I have an F250SWA and I just put them on last month.
For the cost, great results and no regrets. I have air bags and overload springs and ths was to be my last addition to to the suspension system (it came with the HD suspension pkg). I am very pleased with the results, and the ease of installation. You have to remember the camper really changes you handeling and performance. I don't think you will be dissapointed with this product.
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BeaverCamper
Bend
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Joined: 10/02/2009
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From personal experiance I would add Helwig Load Pro helper springs (simple bolt on assembly) in the back and if you already had or are getting air bags as well run them at about 20-30lbs. That way the bulk of the load is on the springs. In the front I found that the Timbren front helper kits help with the handling on rough roads. Once again simple bolt on additions
BeaverCamper (2005 Chevy Silverado 2500HD, Rancho 9000XL shocks, Air bags, Helwig sway bar - 2003 Lance 845)
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EricCO
Gilcrest, Colorado
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Joined: 04/16/2007
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Stable loads are easy to put on yourself. Not sure about the other stuff.
2002 Ford F-350 CC LB PSD
2007 Travel Lite 960rx Ultra
1998 Starcraft Superfisherman 170
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kblasor
Arizona
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Joined: 07/12/2005
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Stable loads are so easy to install/remove that I take mine on and off each camper outing. When the truck is "just a truck", we don't launch the rear passengers through the roof from the stiff ride.
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whazoo
Arizona
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Joined: 10/12/2007
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kblasor wrote:Stable loads are so easy to install/remove that I take mine on and off each camper outing. When the truck is "just a truck", we don't launch the rear passengers through the roof from the stiff ride.
Ditto that, way too stiff without the camper, so off they come in 5 minutes.
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