Dually's are the ultimate slide in camper hauler. Emergency handling is preserved. My Northstar popup is the max I would carry on this thing.

 

I have an AF990, carried on a 06 2500. The stock suspension, even with airbags, really isn't enough. I had to air the bags up to 80psi, but ride was spongy. Even at 80 PSI, the weight of the camper pancakes the bags.

I added a set of bolt on Hellwig overload springs for a cross country trip, and was able to air the bags down to about 45, much better, but hated the clanging of the springs and stiff unloaded ride, plus the hardware kept working loose. I think I would rather add a leaf to the main pack.

Do you have factory auxiliary springs? If so, have a spring shop add to them and re-arch to engage sooner. If not, you need something to help your suspension and airbags.

Everybody on the truck camper forums give good reviews to supersprings. Those with really heavy campers on 3/4 ton trucks are satisfied with airbags/supersprings combo. Then you can have more flexibility in the bags for leveling purposes.

You need additional help, period. I know people do it, I have done it, but you need more to truly help the handling of your truck.

Is your truck the fully boxed frame? If not, get the bolt on bump stops and add auxiliary springs to the rear. The best solution.

Good luck.
Gman

 

A lot of guys will run the Rickson or other 19.5 wheels when putting a lot of weight in a 1 ton non-dually. Tire load can be a major consideration. If not for the camper I wouldn't have the dually. But if I get rid of the camper, the dually stays.

 

2 things on my rig:
1) Air lift bags @ >60PSI
2) Bridgestone Duravis M700

I need at least 60PSI in the bags to stay off the helper springs.

The Duravis tires give a better ride, less sidewall squat, and ~2mpg better than the original generals! Also, mine are M+S, which seem to help a little in the sand, for a 2wd truck, anyway.

Tony

 

FWIW...

I was finally able to do some experimenting this past weekend and found that 60psi in the driver's side and 65psi in the passenger side seemed to work best for my application. Tires were all at 75psi.

I'm planning on some Rancho adjustable shocks this spring. Then, I think I'll be very happy with my setup. Even without the Rancho's, the ride is quite good. I'm going ~100 miles north and back tomorrow so it'll be a good day of getting used to the feel of it all.

Thanks to all who offered advice and feedback.

 

I run 50 psi when loaded.

BTW, thanks for the advice regarding 5-10 psi empty (I haven't been doing that).

 

I have a 4000 lb Bigfoot on my dually. I found that with too much air in the bags took me off the bump stops & too much sway. So in order to keep enough air in the bags & keep the overloads engaged I put on some longer bump stops. Now with 40lbs in the bags my headlights are where they should be & no more sway.

 

On our '02 short bed, with sway bar and camper package, we have a Lance 820 and run 60 - 80 psi in Firestone bags plus have 10 ply Michelin LTX tires at 60 psi.