Hi,

I am getting ready to order a new F-350 crew cab single rear wheel. I will be towing a 5th wheel with it eventually. In the options under ordering the new truck there is a Camper package option which includes Auxiliary Springs, Extra Heavy Service Front Springs, Rear Stabilizer Bar and Slide-In Camper Certification. My question is do I need to order this option? It is an additional $160.00 so money is not an issue. If it is an option that is not needed to haul a 5th wheel, but I do order it, will it make the truck ride stiffer than it normally would without the package while driving without the 5th wheel. The only reason I would order it if it is not needed is that I may put my lance camper 10,9" extended cabover on the truck to use until I get my 5th wheel rv. However, If having the camper package option is going to alter the ride of the truck when not towing, I will not put the camper on it and will just wait until my 5th wheel is ordered as a fair amount of driving will be done without towing. I hope I have made sense in this question. Thank you so much for your time.

Ed in California

I'd get the camper package. It's the cheapest way to get the top rear overload spring and rear anti-sway bar. The factory overload has a pad on each end that is riveted to the truck frame. Only when the truck is loaded, does the top overload spring touch those pads. So it doesn't affect the empty ride quality. Since 1999, the Ford Super Duties have 3 inches longer rear leaf springs, this gives a softer ride, but also more wheel travel, making the truck squat more under load and lean more on curves. So extra springs and a anti-sway bar, (stabilizer) is a good idea.

Thanks,

left more of a reply on other post in truck area.