Suspension Enhancement Recommendation for 2019 Ford F-350 Dually with Lance Camper and Bike Rack
Question:
Im struggling with how to get a bit more beef into the suspension on my trucks rear end. I have a 2019 Ford F350 dually with a Lance 1172 truck camper. I already put a Load Lifter 5000 Ultimate Plus kit on it, but with how heavy my truck camper is, and how I abuse the truck washboard roads, potholes, and other back roads, I dont have the ground clearance I want in the rear, and even at 80 PSI, the air bags look pretty squished. I also have a Superhitch and a 5 foot tow bar extender, with a bike rack and two eBikes on the back, so Im over 15,000 lbs fully wet and loaded, and frequently drag my bike rack going through a dip in the road. The camper alone is about 5,000. I went to a local shop to see what they would recommend, and they suggested the Load Lifter 7500 with onboard air right now I dont have onboard air, but I was also looking for a lift kit of about 2, and the smallest lift they could find is 5 inch too much - that would put me off level especially when the camper is not on the truck, and it would also raise the camper door too high if I have to park with blocks under the back wheels to get level in a camp spot. So now Im wondering about a combination of helper springs AND Load Lifter 7500 AND onboard air. Not sure what helper springs I would need though, or how the springs and Load Lifter would work together... Attached photos show the truck and bike system I have. I cant move the bikes to the front of the truck because it messes with the adaptive cruise control, so I need to focus on beefing up the rear so it rides higher and puts less stress on the air bags. Also in the photos are the current air bags, as well as the current springs. Surprisingly, the factory helper springs already installed are not touching the bumper yet, even with the camper on, but I am wondering if they might be bent from our last trip down Eureka Dunes road, because I could swear that they used to touch with this camper on, and I feel like Im bottoming out at times there are jounce bumpers inside the 5000 Ultimate Plus, but I dont think there are bumpers inside the 7500, so that also concerns me. My goal is to ride at least an inch or two higher with the camper on, with less stress on the air bags, and more flexibility onboard compressor, with dual path. I rarely use the truck without a load typically the camper, but sometimes I carry heavy loads like gravel or bark - I almost never drive this truck without a load, but I do occasionally. What would you recommend?
asked by: Steve O
Helpful Expert Reply:
Thank you for all of the information! I definitely have some recommendations for you but I do encourage you to get that OEM suspension looked at especially if you think it used to look different prior to your last trip. Any suspension enhancement system is designed to work in tandem with your OEM suspension so if your OEM is messed up then that puts more strain than necessary on the aftermarket parts and everything will wear down quicker and it could get ugly.
For a beefier air bag kit I actually recommend swapping over to the Firestone Ride-Rite Red Label Extreme Duty Air Helper Springs # F95FV. These are rated at 7,500 lbs same as the Air Lift LoadLifter 7500 but the Firestone bags are more durable and have a better connection to the metal end plates via the rolled crimp seal. I know you're worried about not having the internal jounce bumper but as long as you maintain the air bags you'll be just fine.
Then for a compressor kit I recommend checking out the Air Command II Heavy Duty Compressor with Analog Gauge # F2168 which gives you a way to actively monitor and control the air in either bag so you get the leveling you want/need plus this comes with a 1/2-Gallon tank and emergency air line you can use to fill up the tires on your bikes or your truck if the need arises.
To complete your setup you'll want the SuperSprings SuperSway Stops # SS65GR. These install above your factory overload springs and engages them quicker so you get more of that OEM suspension help quicker so your truck can do what it's designed to do.
These products won't give your truck a "lift" but they will help to keep it level. If you end up getting a lift added to your setup we'll need to look at adding spacers so the suspension enhancement is still effective.
(click to enlarge)
(click to enlarge)
(click to enlarge)
Products Referenced in This Question
Firestone Air Command Heavy Duty Air Compressor with Tank - Analog - Dual Path
- Air Suspension Compressor Kit
- Wired Control
- Dual Path
- Analog Display
- 150 psi
- Firestone
more information >
SuperSprings SuperSway Stops - Qty 4
- Vehicle Suspension
- Rear Axle Suspension Enhancement
- Pads
- Contact Pads
- SuperSprings Intl
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Firestone Airide Red Label Extreme Duty Air Helper Springs - Rear Axle
- Vehicle Suspension
- Rear Axle Suspension Enhancement
- Air Springs
- Extra Heavy Duty
- Firestone
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Shop: Suspension Enhancement
- Shop: SuperSprings SuperSway Stops - Qty 4
- Video: SuperSprings SuperSway Stops Review
- Shop: Camper Tie-Downs
- Q&A: What Replacement Bump Stops Are Confirmed to Fit a 2024 Ford F-350 Super Duty?
- Shop: TorkLift StableLoad Suspension Upgrade for Upper Overload Springs
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Video: SuperSprings SuperSway Stops Installation - 2015 Ford F-350 Super Duty
- Search Results: f2031
- Shop: Front Mount Hitch
- Shop: Draw-Tite Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - 2"
- Video: Review of SuperSprings Intl Vehicle Suspension - Polyurethane Contact Pads - SS65GR
- Shop: SumoSprings Solo Custom Helper Springs - Front Axle
- Shop: SumoSprings Rebel Custom Helper Springs - 2 Piece - Rear Axle
- Shop: Firestone Airide Red Label Extreme Duty Air Helper Springs - Rear Axle
- Shop: SuperSprings SuperSway Stops - Qty 4
- Shop: Tailgate
- Shop: Truck Bed Tailgate Assist
- Q&A: Will SuperSprings SuperSway Stops Work With SumoSprings on 2016 Ford F-250
- Shop: Vehicle Sway Bars
- Video: Review of CURT Heavy Duty Dual Ball Attachment Weight Distribution Shank - C29NR
- Q&A: Parts Needed To Convert 12K Dexter Trailer Axles From Electric Drum To Disc Brakes
- Search Results: 2 1 2 weight distribution shank
- Article: How to Mount a Truck Bed Camper
- Search Results: torklift
- Search Results: sumosprings
- Search Results: r3504
- Search Results: super sway stops
- Search Results: tailgate seal
- Video: SumoSprings Rebel Rear Axle Helper Springs Review
on Vehicle Suspension
