Swaying problems with in-bed camper

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Parklander

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I just loaded my 8' camper which weighs 1600 lbs dry on my fully stock 2021 2500 4 door cummins shortbed box equipped with factory air bags and headed down the road. I couldn't get more than 40MPH before the thing rolled like a boat and I felt was ready to tip over. I've read through most of the threads this morning and a few guys have similar problems. I called 3 dealerships and 4 RV places and nobody could diagnose the problem. I hauled the same camper on my 2019 RAM 1500 last year also with air bags and never had this problem but I knew I was maxing it out and thats why i moved to the 2500. I don't really want to spend more on after market stuff...thats why I bought the 2500. My tire pressures were all at 65 on factory Firestones, one RV place told me to delete the air bags but I couldn't so they suggested pulling the fuse which I did but couldn't delete the existing air pressure in the bags so I brought the camper back home, took it off and borrowed a neighbors trailer. I"ve hauled over 10,000 pounds often on heavy equipment trailers and never had the slightest issues. Can anybody out there help me with this??
 

18CrewDually

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I'd consider Hellwig rear sway bar.
I know it's too late now but I would of passed on a 2500 and got an HD 3500 with leaf springs. Loaded up you may be over the payload rating of that 2500 anyways.
I found an article worth the read.
 
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18CrewDually

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2500s arent what they used to be. they can tow a lot but Pay load is not much.

2500s are built for the guy that complains a 3500 rides too rough. So RAM put rear inboard coil springs to give the soft ride, so in the end you sacrifice and lose the capacity and stability.
 
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Parklander

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Thanks for the input. You're right I test drove the 3500 and found it way to stiff for my everyday driving which is around 25000 miles each year and as we only use the camper around 4-5 times each year I thought it would be fine. I really like the truck ride so if I cant solve the problem with reasonable cost (say $1000.00) I'll switch to a pull type trailer.
I got under a 1500 today and noticed the air bags are 10" further outside on the axel and the damper is inside, my 2500 has the damper on the outside and air bags on the inside so that explains why i had no problem swaying on the 1500.
 

mtofell

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This is going to devolve into the age-old payload v. axle weights debate quickly, I'm sure. While OP may be close to payload he is very unlikely over it at 1600#. A moderately equipped Cummins 2500 usually has a payload around 2200#. And keep in mind this is payload which is based off of the 10K GVWR. The rear axle should be rated at 6000# and probably weighs around 2800# empty. Add in the 1600# camper and we're at 4400#. I'm not buying that the problem is being overloaded. The coil springs are softer than the leafs but still very solid. Add in the airbags and the suspension just isn't the problem. One thing is I'd be 100% sure the air bags are inflating. I run the same truck but with manual bags and with the springs and my bags at 80# (they max at 90) my bed doesn't even squat 2" with 3000# in the bed (can't say that with the leafs).
 

Dinky

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2500s are built for the guy that complains a 3500 rides too rough. So RAM put rear inboard coil springs to give the soft ride, so in the end you sacrifice and lose the capacity and stability.

correct. i tell those guys to go buy mini vans lol. i would own a 1500 again but not a 2500 just for that reason. My 3500 rides just as nice if not better than a 2500.
 

tron67j

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Agree with sway bar, that is a great starting point. Tires may need upgrading as well. Reading a 8' camper, is it one for a 8' bed you now have on a short box? If yes, that could contribute to sway as there might be too much weight behind the rear axle.

To others: Long time 2500 owner here, (since 2003) there are many reasons to own one. I have a 8' bed CC 4wd with 3,000 payload capacity. In my opinion the ride is way better empty and loaded than a 3500 (tens/hundreds of thousands of miles in both) and I have more than enough trailer and payload capacities. 1500 would never be an option for me, 3500 too rough. So don't turn a legitimate ask for help into a bunch of ignorant statements about people who buy EXACTLY what they need.
 

18CrewDually

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Agree with sway bar, that is a great starting point. Tires may need upgrading as well. Reading a 8' camper, is it one for a 8' bed you now have on a short box? If yes, that could contribute to sway as there might be too much weight behind the rear axle.

To others: Long time 2500 owner here, (since 2003) there are many reasons to own one. I have a 8' bed CC 4wd with 3,000 payload capacity. In my opinion the ride is way better empty and loaded than a 3500 (tens/hundreds of thousands of miles in both) and I have more than enough trailer and payload capacities. 1500 would never be an option for me, 3500 too rough. So don't turn a legitimate ask for help into a bunch of ignorant statements about people who buy EXACTLY what they need.
This isn't a debate. I posted facts and unfortunately many experience these issue after buying a 2500. By design (in board mounted coil springs) they are not up to the task a 3500 will do comfortably. Mall cruising or towing the jet ski to the lake the 2500 is fine, but a task like a slide in camper loaded up or a 5er, the 3500 is likely necessary. There's no question which handles the heavy work.
 

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This isn't a debate. I posted facts and unfortunately many experience these issue after buying a 2500. By design (in board mounted coil springs) they are not up to the task a 3500 will do comfortably. Mall cruising or towing the jet ski to the lake the 2500 is fine, but a task like a slide in camper loaded up or a 5er, the 3500 is likely necessary. There's no question which handles the heavy work.

No one wants facts...
 

Dinky

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Agree with sway bar, that is a great starting point. Tires may need upgrading as well. Reading a 8' camper, is it one for a 8' bed you now have on a short box? If yes, that could contribute to sway as there might be too much weight behind the rear axle.

To others: Long time 2500 owner here, (since 2003) there are many reasons to own one. I have a 8' bed CC 4wd with 3,000 payload capacity. In my opinion the ride is way better empty and loaded than a 3500 (tens/hundreds of thousands of miles in both) and I have more than enough trailer and payload capacities. 1500 would never be an option for me, 3500 too rough. So don't turn a legitimate ask for help into a bunch of ignorant statements about people who buy EXACTLY what they need.

2500s diesel 4door long bed max payload has always been below 2600lbs since 3rd gens, i don't know 2nd gens stats 3500 is a lot more. The new 2022 3500 actually ride just as nice as the 2500s from what i hear. The difference between a in bed camper and towing a trailer is two different things you cant even compare the two...
 

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randyr6

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I ordered my 2022 Ram 3500 diesel 6.4 bed with 8-foot bed. Knowing I was loading a 2800 LB camper on it. I never need to remove the tailgate as it fits perfectly with tailgate down. That was a must for me, I didn't want to constantly be removing and installing the tailgate. The weight ratio between a 2500 and 3500 (maxed the 2500) was too close for me as with load of camping gear, fuel, water and people put me at the limit. Heck when I put the camper on my 3500 at the RV dealer, I was concerned about the frame bending but I rechecked the paperwork included with the truck, and I was fine. The 102-mile ride back home was harrowing to say the least. Dolphining (up and down motion) and sway were unbelievable. The first thing I did was inflate the tires to 80lbs as specified on the paperwork (I miss that info the first time reading) and made an appointment to have bags installed in the rear. I did, set them to 30psi, tires to 80psi and reloaded the camper and drove it everywhere for 4 days including residential Neiborhood (tight turns) and I never knew it was on there. I read to many bad posts about people and 2500's with campers. I couldn't be more comfortable driving it now. Truck also has a cargo camera which makes loading it simple and the camper had a camera be installed on it (had to buy a monitor but wanted extra cameras to put in horse trailer when towing it with the camper on board anyway).
 
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Dinky

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I had 5800lbs in the bed of my 3500 the other day and you had to drive slower around corners lol. Even a 3500 over payload doesn't preform well.
 

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2020PW

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I had 5800lbs in the bed of my 3500 the other day and you had to drive slower around corners lol. Even a 3500 over payload doesn't preform well.

Really??? Who would have thought…

OP have you considered how the camper affects the CG of the truck. Weak sidewalls can also make it feel unstable, also new tires that haven’t worn in yet.
 

Wbjrace

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I put a 2600 pound camper on my 2018 2500 short bed diesel. Driving it home from the dealer i had to slow down at times to stop the sway. To correct it I put in GOMAXX 35% heavier rear springs and Hellwig 1.25" roll bar. That stopped it and it was fine and about 14mpg. It is a harsh ride without the camper. Doing it again I would try airbags.
 

2020PW

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OP you mentioned your tire pressure was at 65, you may wanna check this. My CTD calls for 80 on the rears
 
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