Do I Need Helper Springs With a Pop-Up Camper?

[Nailhead]

I'm looking at a Four Wheel Granby pop-up, and was wondering if the PW needs helper springs (air would be my preference) for something of that weight (950 lbs dry, don't know the wet weight).

Any info would be appreciated, although this question my well be moot after I check clearances between my cargo trailer & dropped tailgate.

Thanks.

[VA_Wagon Man]

I really doubt it. Your hitch weight will practically be non existent. I wouldn't bother, you won't know its back there.

Sent from the middle of nowhere.

[TrueCowboy426]

I don't know campers that well, but I believe this is a truck camper (ie in box pop-up). With that kind of dry weight you will definitely be experiencing some sag, and for piece of mind I would get helpers of some sort. I'm biased towards air bags myself.

[azracer]

Timbrins will work and are easily removed when not needed. The do hinder articulation (compression). I would suggest an air bag system if you plan to go expedition style.
The Carli bag system is the top of the heap as far as performance. There are others but I do not know much personally about them. I use Timbrins for heavy loads and remove them when going off road or not hauling heavy loads.

[RustyPW]

Carli's. Only because I have them.

[PWRider]

It will sag couple inches. See pic in camper thread. I've got Ranger which is very similar. It get more wallowy on road but you get used to it. Rear smart bar would have been nice.

[Cactus Red]

BajaXplorer has a Four Wheel Camper on his truck. He's posted most of his reports on Wander The West Four Wheel Camper section: http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/inde ... 85407c5ede

He has a set of the Carli long travel's, and from what I've seen of his rig on various roads and trails, they are pretty much a requirement. The way the camper is setup, all the weight is on the same side as the gas tank on the truck. As I recall he runs about 50 PSI on the d'side bag, 20 on the p'side bag to keep it level.

[cruz]

Is the Grandby used ? If you are buying new, the Hawk model would be a better fit for a short bed without sticking out beyond the bumper. As far as air bags go, you can adjust them for whatever weight you are carrying. Air bags will also help control sway (rocking back and forth from side to side). Firestone, Air-Lift brands are approx. $300 and are easy to install yourself, Carlis are $800. I've used Air-Lift bags on my last 3 pickups hauling campers and have never had a single problem. The one thing I like about Firestone and Air-Lift is they mount further out on the axle and in my opinion will provide more leverage helping control sway. Some will say that they restrict articulation as compared to the Carlis, maybe, maybe not, but I'm not out rockcrawling when using my camper.

[TwinStick]

If you are gonna keep it in the back all the time, I would recommend these instead: http://www.thecarlisuspension.com/dodge ... gpack.html the Heavy Duty Leaf Springs. The 3" ones are actually only a 1" lift for Power Wagons, they would do-away with the 2" lift blocks under stock spring pack.

[Cactus Red]

The springs are great, but they can't compensate for the water, battery, appliances, etc, that are all on the left side of the camper. The load is seriously off center. Both would be ideal!

[fbenross]

If your PW is stock as far as suspension travel you can save alot of $$$ and use firestone air bags. I have tortured mine for 7 years off road with HEAVY pop top camper, and they work great. The Carlis are Beautiful but not necessary unless you have xtra travel in your suspension. I would sugest getting the on board compressor with gauge and dual switches. On off camber trails you can air up the low side and air down the high side. Also great for leveling camper for the night.

[flattire]

I have the Grandby on my SINGLE cab, no tailgate, and it sits flush with rear of bed. I have used this setup both with stock suspension and with SUPER SPRINGS. These are bolt on overload springs.

Camper loads rear stock suspension about 2 1/2 " . Sort of levels it out. Works O.K. but will have side to side rocking. Front to rear will have slightly more movement.

I also tow a 4000# trailer at times. This will overload rear and make front rise somewhat. Any kind of hitch weight will need some suspension help.

Your quad cab will move more weight to the rear. I think it will need some suspension help( bags or springs).

(Note to VA Wagon....your are thinking about a pop up trailer- light weight- not a slide in camper in the bed. I have a silver 05 also...#992 )

[CJ8Rockcrawler]

If you use your truck offroad, you will not like the firestone airbags. Been there, done that and upgraded to the carli long travel bags. The firestone bags limit your suspension travel to 6 inches or so vs the approx 10 inches you get with carli's. Cactus red, is right on the money with the need for airbags due to the offset nature and dynamic weight distribution of hauling a camper.

[cruz]

Unless you have unlimited amounts of money (which I don't), the question you need to ask yourself is, what do you really need to use your truck for the things that you do vs what is the ultimate setup that money can buy. I use my PW (it's the only vehicle I own) to do many different things, rather than a dedicated single use custom vehicle. Questions like, am I going to put a camper on my PW and go out and challenge myself on the toughest trails just to see if I can do it. Are you going to put the camper on and never take it off, or are you going to use it a few times a year to go camping, hunting, fishing, etc. .

Personally, I use my PW to get from point A to B, be it to work and back or a 2 week 2000 mi. roadtrip which will include highway travel as well as backroad travel, I travel alone so I bought my PW to hedge my bet so I can go to BFE and make it back again.

[fbenross]

The springs are great, but they can't compensate for the water, battery, appliances, etc, that are all on the left side of the camper. The load is seriously off center. Both would be ideal!

My camper has the weight distributed with some fore thought-22 gal water tank (182 lbs) in the right front and the 30 lb propane tank in the right rear. Some day I'll take it off road and see if I like my Firestone air bags.

[Cactus Red]

Wish the 4WC campers were the same, but they aren't. Both BX and CJ8 have the 4WC and have identical setups to control them. I know if I was designing a camper, weight would be evenly distributed - perhaps 4WC should change a few things around to achieve that!

[Nailhead]

Thanks for all the replies, and pardon my delay in acknowledging them

I nixed the Grandby I mentioned for tailgate clearance reasons, although I'm still very interested in getting a pop-up truck camper. It would only be in the truck for camping trips, and on jacks the rest of the time.

I've looked at the Carli website, and it was not readily apparent which product applies to the PW, but maybe I need to check again. I do however, want to maintain the off-road capabilities of this truck since that's why I bought it & put up with its atrocious gas mileage, so that's probably the route I'll go.

Thanks again for all the info, though.