I've just recently bought an older camper for my (basically) stock 1/2 ton truck. The camper only weighs somewhere between 1500 and 1800 pounds. It still is quite a load on my truck since i only have a 6' box, and the camper is an 8 footer. (so it sits on the tailgate also). Because of this the truck sits somewhat low on the back end. I was just wondering what the best way to rig the truck up for this type of application without severely affecting day to day driving, (since the camper is usually only on on weekends). Add a leaf? or is there any other ways of stiffening up the rear suspension without lots of work like airbags or something. Are there any new kits that stiffen it up a bunch?? Thx.

 

AAL, helper springs, overload spring, or even a rearching would be the cheap fix, but would have side affects like stiffer ride and possible lift in the rear when the camper is not on your truck. Airbags are really the best way to fix your problem in my opinion. They're not as expensive as you might think if you don't purchase the in-cab controls and stuff.

 

a rear-arching?? is that what u meant would be a cheap fix? How much are airbags ?? Everything i've looked for so far have been around the 4-5K$ range.

 

I'm saying all those things (leaf spring rearching, AAL, helper springs, or additional overlaod spring) are relatively cheap fixes by themselves, but each has a downside to consider.

Air bag kits that are that expensive usually include in-cab controls, air compressors, tanks, guages, and lots of fancy hardware, etc... All you really need to do is purchase some Firestone or Airride bags, brackets, and air fittings. Total cost would be a few hundred dollars. Then you simply use the your compressor at home or at a gas staion to pump up to the desired pressure for use with the camper. When your done, let the air back out. That's it.

 

air shocks , coil over shocks ..how much does she squat ?

 

1500 lbs in a half ton? I bet your ridding on bump stops...thats really not good.

There are cheap helper springs like silver said but they only do so much. I would look into some 3/4 ton leafs for the rear from a junk yard. That'd be best, then you would definitely need a leveling kit though cause the back would sit up another 2" or so. That'd be the best way to do it, and it wouldn't be to expensive, I think the Daystar leveling coil spacers are like $100 then whatever the junkyard wants.

 

I have been hauling loads of rock for a project I am doing at home. Each has weighed about 1 ton (2000 lbs) each, some more, some less. I've hauled 8 so far, and have about 4-5 more to go. Point is, with my AAL, it is squated in the rear, but I don't even sit on the bump stops yet.

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the rear looks stock height when loaded..

 

1500 lbs on bump stops? socha have you ever loaded your truck down? i had 1600 pounds in the bed and pulled a 69 dodge dart from los angeles to south texas. i didnt hit the bump stops once and i hit 80 a couple of times on a beat up highway, just the jerk from the crappy tow dolly. some parts stores sell leaf springs try to locate some for a 3/4 ton. that should work.

 

3/4 ton leafs are wider, so they will not work on a 1500.