We got on some bumpy forest roads and I found that the camper swayed side-to-side excessively - though I have nothing to compare it too because this is my first camper. I had to go really, really slowly or else I felt like I'd put too much pressure on my hold downs (though the Torklift Anchor Guards did great given the amount of roll).
You'll never solve all the undesired load movement of a camper in a small pick-up. Even if I boxed the rear of my frame, I'm still going to have some sway and rocking on bumpy roads. Bumpy roads to me means buried rock, loose rock, big ruts, etc (washboard roads are another category, IMO....I was actually drifting a la PPIHC over the past two weeks on places like Cottonwood Pass :bike_rider: ).
I'm glad I went with E-rated tires. Before I got my new leaf pack, all I had helping out were the 5100s and the air bags over the P265 tires (OEM). When I switched over to the E-rated tires, I IMMEDIATELY felt a HUGE difference in the handling of the truck (much more stability while cornering). The E-rated tires will allow you to drop your pressure and they'll smooth out the road quite a bit.
Would the handling change with more or less air in the bags?
Yes, it will change. You will get less side to side and up and down movement if the bags are NOT connected (separate bags with separate Schrader valves = best).
NothingClever, by excessive "jounce" on 1st gear forest roads - like what we'll be doing - is that bumpiness, or rolling that was remedied by more air in the bags?
Both. Your bed/load movement will quiet down quite a bit with more air.
Could the high psi have caused the rolling? NothingClever, I see you actually suggest dropping the pressure way down!
Yes, I think so...on higher pressure tires, the contours of the road will get transmitted more efficiently to the suspension, which, if mushy (technical term), will translate into undesired body movement. If you air down on sidewalls that can handle it (LT tires / E-rated sidewalls), the tire will conform to the contours of the road better and scrub off a lot of the undesired movement.
However, I was disappointed the V6 couldn't take the steeper highway grades in 4th gear, but I'm no stranger to being a turtle on the hills having always had small, 4-cyl engines prior to this truck.
Rather than succumb to KC's murmurings of a supercharger, I went with a 4.88 re-gear of my front and rear differential. I can scoot up any pass in Colorado without sending my tach needle over 4k RPMs. Yeah, I might have to switch to 3d gear but my engine's not straining at all.
Best of luck....keep tinkering, you'll get it dialed in.