Has anyone installed a Hellwig sway bar on a Dodge Ram with Carli air bags?

[ArtC2]

I have a 2009 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel short bed with a Carli starter kit and their long travel air bags. The combination made a huge improvement over the stock ride when empty. The problem is that when I add my Hallmark UTE camper the truck sways significantly due to the added weight. An emergency lane change at 60 mph is defiantly a scary event. All of the truck camper forums recommend a rear sway bar with the Hellwig 7266 being one of the favorites. My concern is that the clearance between the air bag mounting and the sway bar mounting is going to be very close. Is anyone running this combination?

Thanks,

Art

 

[bill harr]

Call Hellwig they are very helpful. I put their sway bar on my 2005 Tundra with 4WC Hawk. Had to make a quick lane change on I-5. The bar was paid for in that one move, did have to change shorts when I got home:Wow1:

 

[ArtC2]

I did call Carli and they did not have a specific recommendation but did say that I will likely need to modify the links to deal with the amount of flex compared to stock.

 

[crismateski]

call Carli, there customer service is awesome

 

[Regcabguy]

I have Carli's and a Hellwig swaybar. No issues aside from fabricating a small bar to move the brake line where it T's to accommodate the Hellwig mount. If you can afford it,Carli or Don Thuren can revalve some 2.0 Bilstein or Fox's respectively to dampen the mass of your Hallmark. That would help a bunch too.

The Hellwig will help kill the sway a bunch.

 

[ArtC2]

Regcabguy:

Thanks for the quick reply, how do the re-valved shocks work when the camper if off your truck?

Art

 

[Regcabguy]

Regcabguy:

Thanks for the quick reply, how do the re-valved shocks work when the camper if off your truck?

Art

Don or Sage can do a compromise stiffening of them that won't beat you to death without the camper. I've got Don's 2.5 King/tower shocks but as my campers always on he valved them for the camper. To be honest,with a little airing down it still rides nice. Don offers a 2.0 Fox shock deal also.

On the other hand,Carli did a Backcountry system with camper valving for a 2nd gen guy with a Bigfoot. They also installed a 2.5 King system on my friend's '07 CTD w/flatbed mounted popup. Either guy is well experienced with valving.

The Hellwig will help a lot with the sway.

 

[Scoutman]

I know it's not your exact setup but I have a Helwig big wig swaybar with PacBrake bags with no issues. The swaybar helped a lot.
Here's my quick writeup on the RV forum...
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/25476807.cfm

 

[ArtC2]

Scoutman:

Thank you for the reply, your posting on RV.net was exactly what I was looking for.

Art

 

[Regcabguy]

Sent you a couple more pics Art. The Big Wiggie would work well for you. I see you've got the stock diff cover,so spare tire fittment will be Kosher. I've got my 285-75-17 up there.

 

[Scoutman]

Scoutman:

Thank you for the reply, your posting on RV.net was exactly what I was looking for.

Art

glad I could help. :sombrero:

 

[craig333]

Did they soften up the suspension on the later year trucks? I've yet to feel the need for a swaybar or airbags on my truck.

 

[ScottReb]

I was in the exact same boat as you, literally. 2007 Dodge 2500 CTD with Carli starter and airbags. Loaded up my Ute bed with 10' Alaskan and it wobbled down the road. Put the Hellwig Big bar on it. It fits, I ground a tiny bit off the driver side Hellwig mount to clear the brake line. The difference driving is night and day. The truck drives and handles better than unloaded. I also have Toyo 608 265/70 19.5 Visions. A great combo with the Carli and Hellwig. Good luck.

 

[ArtC2]

I was in the exact same boat as you, literally. 2007 Dodge 2500 CTD with Carli starter and airbags. Loaded up my Ute bed with 10' Alaskan and it wobbled down the road. Put the Hellwig Big bar on it. It fits, I ground a tiny bit off the driver side Hellwig mount to clear the brake line. The difference driving is night and day. The truck drives and handles better than unloaded. I also have Toyo 608 265/70 19.5 Visions. A great combo with the Carli and Hellwig. Good luck.

ScottReb:

Thank you for the update, I just ordered the Hellwig unit and will update this post once I have it installed.

Art

 

[ArtC2]

I pulled the trigger on the Hellwig sway bar and it made a huge improvement on the truck's handling with the camper. As far as I am concerned, this is a must have for any camper owner. You do feel it when the truck is empty and I disconnect one side for any long trips to improve the ride.