A Question About Truck Campers and Shocks

I recently received the following question about shock absorbers and ride stability when hauling a truck camper:

Hi Mike,

I wanted to contact you on your choice of Shocks. I have been looking at three: KYB, Rancho and Bilstien. I have a Ford F-350 dually with a Lance 980. On our last trip coming back from the desert I had to pull off the freeway because the truck felt as if I was inches from certain disaster. It would not stay on the road. Truck wandered lanes, influenced by wind and passing cars and trucks. It was scary, bottom line. I am planning a trip to the lakes above Bishop, California in August. I am going to replace the shocks before I go. I wanted your feedback on the Bilstien 4600’s. Were they stable with a heavy truck camper? Overall just wanted to ask you what you thought of them. Thanks a lot.

Joe in California

Joe, the three shock absorber brands you mentioned are great. You really can’t go wrong with any of them. I prefer and use the Bilstein 4600s because of their firmness and durability. They are a little stiff without the camper mounted, but they do great keeping the truck camper stable over uneven surfaces and in strong winds on the highway. I highly recommend them. The shocks will probably solve your “wandering” problem too, but if they don’t, try a set of Torklift Stableloads or a Hellwig Big Wig sway bar on the rear axle.

Bilstein 4600

About Mello Mike 820 Articles
Mello Mike is an Arizona native, author, and the founder of Truck Camper Adventure. He's been RV'ing since 2002, is a certified RVIA Level 1 RV Technician, and has restored several Airstream travel trailers. A communications expert and licensed ham radio operator (KK7TCA), he retired from the U.S. Navy in 2004 as a CWO3 after 24 years, holds a BS degree, and now runs Truck Camper Adventure full-time. He also does some RV consulting, repairs, and inspections on the side. He currently rolls in a 4WD Ram 3500 outfitted with a SherpTek truck bed with a Bundutec Roadrunner mounted on top.

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