On a recent trip I noticed my 22 Silverado 1500 being a bit bouncy on paved roads. I didn't think that I was to heavy but I did have a lot of extra camping gear. So now I am thinking of helper springs, airbags or some type of suspension upgrade. A friend suggested just upgrading to load range E AT tires.
Suggestions?
As ns7i stated...your ride will, likely, get worse. And...frankly I gotta disagree about it being a good idea for the extra weight. If you're driving a 1500, E-rated tires are going to be overkill for any application unless you're loading way above the GVWR of the truck. If you're not wheeling on some really rough, and sidewall-shredding trails, those tires are going to ride like rocks and you'll be airing down on gravel roads just to have a modicum of comfort. Your tires are part of your suspension, and having overly stiff tires only puts that much more stress on the rest of the suspension to absorb things.
If you're bouncing...there's a good chance that's an issue with rebound control from your shocks, or related to components like a trackbar. Stiffening the suspension with bags may run a good chance of actually worsening the issue if it's related to your shocks' ability to control rebound as compressing that stiffer suspension will result in it rebounding with even greater force. I have my Power Wagon bagged and cradled, but that's strictly to adjust for the rear sagging easily due to the soft suspension. I only add a minimal amount of air when towing and it's not enough to overtax the shocks. I also have a rear trackbar from Thuren to combat the insanely dangerous mid-bump corner performance those trucks have from the factory. Even without the air bags, though...it's never "bouncy". That's all just a band aid solution, anyway, until I finalize the interior build, weigh the truck, then redo the suspension based on the average weight I'll be running.
Though it could also be as simple as worn components or a really off-centered load.