F350 Suspension with Flatbed and Fulltime Camper

[Tony Shelton]

Found this thread searching for "sway bar". We are in a 19,500 lb rig. 2017 F-550 with an Eagle Cap 1200 camper. We do a lot of offroading, believe it or not. We go places where we don't see a soul for a week or more. The truck has fox 2.5 all around and the Fox DBL Design front sway bar. Last week we snapped a sway bar mount and didn't know it. We even took the video below without noticing it. Then we drove all the way across Northern Arizona, and still didn't know it was broken. We're thinking of removing it altogether now since the offroad articulation is so much better. After we found out it was broke, we tested it on circle freeway entrances and mountain passes at 10-15 mph over posted recommended speeds and it was planted well. Should we just remove the thing?

 

[eyemgh]

Found this thread searching for "sway bar". We are in a 19,500 lb rig. 2017 F-550 with an Eagle Cap 1200 camper. We do a lot of offroading, believe it or not. We go places where we don't see a soul for a week or more. The truck has fox 2.5 all around and the Fox DBL Design front sway bar. Last week we snapped a sway bar mount and didn't know it. We even took the video below without noticing it. Then we drove all the way across Northern Arizona, and still didn't know it was broken. We're thinking of removing it altogether now since the offroad articulation is so much better. After we found out it was broke, we tested it on circle freeway entrances and mountain passes at 10-15 mph over posted recommended speeds and it was planted well. Should we just remove the thing?

@montypower goes without one. Maybe he’ll chime in.

 

[montypower]

Yes we removed our sway bar when the truck was new. It actually snapped the end link on the first drive after lifting. Originally was planning to reinstall but after testing... just left it off.

Sway bar can help on road smooth surfaces at speed in corners to reduce weight transfer.

However... sway bars will be detrimental in nearly all other situations (especially with a heavy camper). If one tire hits a bump or hole it will actually induce sway. Same with entering a driveway at an angle or any off angle ground with one tire.

I wouldn't remove the sway bar with improper shocks. But a tuned performance 2.5" or better shock will do more to reduce sway than the sway bar but without the negative effects. Plus you gain off road articulation performance. Win win.

It should be stated that appropriate driving is required regardless for terrain and weight. Heavy vehicles need to be driven differently than sports cars. Common sense if that still exists. Haha

 

[rruff]

Well said, Peter.

IME you don't have to get that fancy (the Ironman FCPs I put on are hugely higher damped than stock), but tunable shocks will give you more control over the damping.

Should we just remove the thing?

Is your flatbed hard mounted or does it pivot or move relative to the frame? If you have flex, then the frame on an F550 will articulate. The lighter duty trucks have very stiff frames so they'd have a greater need for articulation in the suspension. At any rate if you want even more and the rig is handling fine without the swaybars, then you don't need them...

 

[Macfly]

When I added the Carli 2.5" kit and the Deaver 2k lb spring set the rear sway bar hung so low it had to be removed, it only had something like 6" clearance from the road!

 

[eyemgh]

When I added the Carli 2.5" kit and the Deaver 2k lb spring set the rear sway bar hung so low it had to be removed, it only had something like 6" clearance from the road!

That‘s because the new version stock height is lower, making the lift an inch higher. The stock rear links aren’t long enough. The solution is to get links from ‘17 or so that are an inch longer, or leave it off. is it loaded yet? Have you driven it without? I’m debating pulling mine. I want it to be safe, but after my last trip there are certainly places where I’d like more articulation.

 

[tacollie]

That‘s because the new version stock height is lower, making the lift an inch higher. The stock rear links aren’t long enough. The solution is to get links from ‘17 or so that are an inch longer, or leave it off. is it loaded yet? Have you driven it without? I’m debating pulling mine. I want it to be safe, but after my last trip there are certainly places where I’d like more articulation.

I pulled our rear sway bar. I'm still rocking stock leafs. The wife was worried but she says it still feels really stable. I think the truck actually feels better because it doesn't get jarred around as much. You can always put it back on. I still have a front sway bar. She doesn't feel comfortable without.

 

[rruff]

She doesn't feel comfortable without.

Take it off and see if she notices... ?

When hauling a camper does it makes sense to have a front but not a rear?

 

[tacollie]

Take it off and see if she notices... ?

I thought about that. It's funny because I added a rear one to our Tundra and it made a huge difference?

 

[eyemgh]

Take it off and see if she notices... ?

When hauling a camper does it makes sense to have a front but not a rear?

that’s what I wonder. I don’t think @montypower runs either. It would be cool is someone made a switchable version that you could actuate remotely.

 

[rruff]

I don’t think @montypower runs either.

Good shocks can vastly improve handling, especially in emergency maneuvers. They won't do much for the sway in long sweeping turns though. I think my truck handles great with Ironman FCPs and no bars, but I haven't carried a big load yet. Night and day from stock anyway. Peter has tuned and adjustable damping Fox 2.5s which are much higher class than mine.

 

[eyemgh]

Good shocks can vastly improve handling, especially in emergency maneuvers. They won't do much for the sway in long sweeping turns though. I think my truck handles great with Ironman FCPs and no bars, but I haven't carried a big load yet. Night and day from stock anyway. Peter has tuned and adjustable damping Fox 2.5s which are much higher class than mine.

I’ve got Carli tuned Kings. I’m tempted. But, like most, the bulk of my miles are on the road.

 

[rruff]

Yep, tradeoffs. I think high digressive damping works well for handling and offroad, but are kinda stiff on small bumps. Digressive means the shocks are stiff at slow piston speeds. Kings are typically progressive, although you can custom valve them however you like.

 

[montypower]

I’ve got Carli tuned Kings. I’m tempted. But, like most, the bulk of my miles are on the road.

It's easy to remove and test. For us... the benefits are both on and off road. You'll be surprised by how much sway the sway bar creates on uneven surfaces. Only real benefit is on smooth road to reduce leaning. But tuned suspension makes weight transfer more progressive and controlled. Report back on your experience.

 

[Ninelitetrip]

Peter,

RAM5500 CAMPERTHING posted about his recent installation of ADS Racing Shocks. Any experience with these on a full-size truck?