8 replies to this topic

[pbelletto]

We soon will be the excited owners of a Northstar 850 pop up for our long bed.  We have a 2013 long bed diesel truck.  The dealer has advised us to add rear airbags to have a more comfortable ride.  The question we have is weather the airbag system is necessary as it is a very expensive addition.

Question 2; would the installation of larger shocks , front and rear, be advised instead???

 

We appreciate your response as we will be picking up the unit 11/2.

 

Your help is greatly appreciate,

Peter and Pat

[Wandering Sagebrush]

I suspect airbags will be sufficient, and will help level the truck.  The last set I had were about $700 or so, installed.  You can spend more and get an onboard compressor that will be handy, but not required.

[fish more]

Shocks are designed to absorb bumps in the road, prevent wheel hop and control some swaying, they are not designed to support weight or level the vehicle. I installed air bags on my Super Duty to level vehicle while towing my boat, they also help with vehicle sway on mountain roads.

[pbelletto]

Thanks 

[pbelletto]

Thank you for your help.  We are interested in more information regarding Ride rite kits.  It is our feeling that while this kit may improve the ride, it is not necessary for the pop up cab over we have purchased.  Our unit weighs 1800 Lbs and is mounted on a 3/4 ton ford diesel long bed truck.  

 

Your advice would be appreciated.

[Vic Harder]

I have a 1 ton truck, and it came with airbags when I bought it.  I find that 5-20 pounds of air "trim" the ride and keep the headlights aimed correctly too.

 

If you get them, make sure they are plumbed individually, so you can adjust each side separately and so that they don't make "sway" worse.

[Advmoto18]

If you're going to keep the camper in the bed full time, consider an add-on spring pack such as this unit from Carli, manufactured by Deaver.  These need to be installed with the truck on a lift/high position jack stands (for the axle) for ease of work and safety IMO.

 

If you're going to remove the camper from the bed on a regular basis, go with air bags.

 

I installed AirLift 5000 Plus bags on my F-350 in an afternoon in my driveway (no need for a lift if yiuo don't mind crawling under your truck).  I don't have a fixed/hard-wired onboard compressor, but, do carry a portable 12V ExtremeAire compressor on trips.  I find 25psi in the bags is about perfect when the fully loaded/wet FWC Hawk is in the bed of my F-350.  When the camper is off the truck, I keep 5 psi in the bags per manufacturer recommendation.

[pbelletto]

Another question; I have a question about my F250 3/4 ton pickup.  I have purchased a cabover weighing 1800 lbs.  I do not intend to take the unit off the truck.  Will I have any concerns as to the weight of the cabover weakening my suspension?  If so, what kind of additional shocks or springs would I need to install?

Thanks again. 

[smlobx]

If you're going to keep the camper in the bed full time, consider an add-on spring pack such as this unit from Carli, manufactured by Deaver.  These need to be installed with the truck on a lift/high position jack stands (for the axle) for ease of work and safety IMO.

 

If you're going to remove the camper from the bed on a regular basis, go with air bags.

 

I installed AirLift 5000 Plus bags on my F-350 in an afternoon in my driveway (no need for a lift if yiuo don't mind crawling under your truck).  I don't have a fixed/hard-wired onboard compressor, but, do carry a portable 12V ExtremeAire compressor on trips.  I find 25psi in the bags is about perfect when the fully loaded/wet FWC Hawk is in the bed of my F-350.  When the camper is off the truck, I keep 5 psi in the bags per manufacturer recommendation.

 

This is exactly the set up I have on my F-350 and Hallmark camper. It works great when I’m carrying a load and when there is no load I just deflate them and have the factory ride.

 

One note to mention I have to inflate my left side bag a little more than my right side as I have more weight on that side. Yours may be the same...