jcsftwre

I just got a 1990 F150 4x4 5.0 EFI (extended cab) truck. I put on new brakes, shocks (good one not the best though), new calipers, tires, carrier bearing (rubber part) a new tune up (everything!), new rear sway bar bushings heavy duty. I got it off of Craigslist for 40 hours of carpentry work.

Yesterday I bought a 1970 slide-in Mel Mar camper, it weighs between 1,500 & 1,800 pounds. My brother in law says that I am pushing the ability of the truck by hauling this. Is this true? I think not.

When I brought home the camper it was a 70 mile ride and the truck ran fine. No swaying, weaving or bobbing. The truck did squat some but by no means a lot. What do you guys think? He says it’s too much and I think it is just fine as long as I don’t go through S-turns on two wheels.

I may do something about stiffening the rear but I rather not replace the shocks because they are two weeks old and I paid $35 dollars per shock for them. They are Monroe Sensa-Trac shocks.

What would you suggest if anything?
Thanks for the advice,
Rick

mitchalvin

1800 pounds is not that heavy of a camper the best way to determine if the camper is to heavy is to weigh the combination. If you would like a little heavier load capacity without replacing the shock you could go with an airbag system. My truck has the camper package from the factory even though I do not have the overload springs.

Just call me Sean

iTrader: (1)

Most campers I have seen are recommended to be carried by at least a 3/4 ton truck. At least throw some helper springs on it.

jcsftwre

I think when I get the money I will get a set of Ride Right are bags to help with the load. Right now I'm just broke and I think i only will have the chance to take it out this year one time for a winter deer hunt anyway.
Thanks again! :-)

mitchalvin

If you have a set of scales around your house you can determine the unloaded weight and the loaded weight of the truck. My F-150 can carry more weight than my 83 F-250 based on GVW and unladen weight. You want to be careful that you do not overload the tires on the back of the truck.

dewman

I have hauled 2950lbs in the bed of my 96 F150 4x4. It was only about 15 miles, but she didn't hesitate a bit. The springs were down to the suspension stops, but she was still a stable ride. I would'nt try to do that for any extended distance, like a camping/hunting trip. Put some helper springs on the rear and you should be fine. Or, you could try these shocks, they held maintain ride height for up to a 1200lb payload. I know you said you just bought shocks, but the pair is about the same, or less than a helper spring kit would be.

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductD...ype=50&PTSet=A

8thgenf150fan

If you are going to carry the camper put additional leaf springs in the back.

GreenMeanie

Helper Springs!!!
Don't know if this is the best place to get them. Just did a quick GOOGLE search.

http://www.suspensionconnection.com/...tion/to=r.html