maxpat82

Yeah..the 7lugger...it's pretty much a F250 frame/suspension with a f150 cab on it!

I'ved put 2100lbs of soil twice for very short distance and, even with helper bag at 100psi, I was bottoming on the slightest imperfection of the road even at 50km/h.

I can't imagine doing so for camping trip.

The OP isn't asking if he can make it to or back the boat ramp 1-2 times a year...he want to put a camper in..so long distance multiple time a year.

Martian

Wasn't there a thread on here a few weeks ago where everyone said the F150 on up had the same frame?

jkenprice1

The 4.6 came with the 8.8 rear end. The 5.4 came with the 9.75 rearend. The 7700 came with the 10.25 rear end. The 9.75 is a direct replacement if you get one from the same body style. Only requires a different driveshaft. The 10.25 has different springs nd shocks as well as driveshaft. There's an argument to be made for getting a different truck instead of trying to modify yours. I really think you need a 250 to adequately handle a camper. It's not just the weight of a camper, it's the height and width that require a heavier suspension mto handle the roll of adding a camper.

Mike_p

Unfortunately getting a whole new is truck is out of the question. I really wish i could so i could get a larger camper with a bathroom :/ or even a 5th wheel. but we all need something to dream for right...

The campers I'm looking at are the "pop-up" style and have a dry weight of about 1,100 to 1,300lbs. Now this is well within weight capacity BUT... that's just the empty weight, PLUS Ford made it difficult with a 22.5" tall bed. My plans are to weld up a 2.5" to 3" frame for the camper to sit on top of that will also act as a storage area for my fishing gear. Depending on how i build that frame will add at least 100-200lbs i would assume.. Now take into account myself (200lbs), My girlfriend, the dogs, food/beer/water, propane, etc etc... All that weight adds up pretty fast.

Would my best bet be to get aftermarket shocks and add-a-leaf? I was already planning on doing new shocks all around including coils and a leveling kit in the front end. Kinda sounds like the limiter for me is the axle itself :/

techrep

iTrader: (1)

you only asked to add 200LBS... no big deal ...add-a-leaf would handle that or a set of air bags...but, now you mention leveling the front...after you do that the rear will squat again with the weight in your bed...counter productive...

Mike_p

How difficult would airbags be to install?

I only have the leveling kit because the parts came with my truck from the previous owner. They've been sitting in storage for over a year now. The only reason I even consider it is for when I'm on job sites. Kinda tough to maneuver when the front end wants to slam down into the dirt. Or the fu$&@!/ landscapers don't mark their trenches and your just 2" short on clearance so BAM nose in the mud. I really need to buy 2-3 different trucks for everything I do haha

techrep

iTrader: (1)

Airbags are not a hard install but, can be pricy..

Mike_p

ok cool, Ill have to do some more research on it..

I probably should just search the forum or start another thread for this but, I just found that they made a Heavy Duty package for the 150. Would it be possible to swap out my 3.73 LS 6lug rear axle for one of these HD 7lug axles?

ak_cowboy

You can swap the axles out, but you would have to do the front hubs also so they all match.

Don't bother, it's not worth the hassle, and the 9.75 is plenty strong enough. (in fact, all the recent HD packages {and Raptor} come with the 9.75) I would recommend getting some 4.10 gears to help and the extra leaf springs.

Shocks are the same and if you already have the 7-pin harness you should have the transmission cooler as well.

jkenprice1

I had the a 97 light duty 250 with the 10.25 rear end. That would have made a great truck to haul your camper. But if your not able to change trucks, stiffening up the rear will help. Having a pop up camper will help a lot also. The center of gravity will be much lower. The add a leaf springs will probably be your chapest route. Airbags cost more, but give you more flexability to adjust for varying loads. You might be able to find either or both used. That would get you started for less money, you could experiment till you found the best mods , and sell what yu didn't need.