Hello All, I presently own a Winn. Rialta, which I plan to sell soon. I want to get a slide in truck camper. My problem: I own a 2005 Chevy 1500, quad cab, 4X4 short bed truck. I know this vehicle is on the lite side to carry a slide in camper, but I'm not trading it in. So, what would be the best (and biggest) slide in camper I could carry with this vehicle ?? I have heard they make some newer "LITE" models . What would be the best air shocks to add to the rear?? Has anyone heard of a air bag that sits on the frame to help in this situation? Any and all help would be appreciated very much. Thanks, Captain Pete---AT- sailorman-pete@webtv.net

Ah a man and his truck. I have a 1/2ton truck and have boosted it up a bit HD rear end E range tires and Helwig 2500 Lb helper springs. It has the load capacity of a 3/4 ton now and I have put a 3450 Lb truck camper on it to transport to an RV show. And it did handle it ok but having it on there for an extended time? I don't think so. Lance makes a 700 I know of, it is about 1400 Lbs. and rides well on mine set up as it is.
But whatever your decision make sure you get D or E range tires at least in back. It'll stop a lot of the sway when the 18 wheelers go by you. Air bags are nice but springs don't leak and need constant adjusting. And they don't wear out and need replacing either.

i own a 89 dodge dakota 4x4. i bought a 8 foot, and it hung to the ground. i took it to the local spring shop and had 2 leaves added to the back springs on each side (500 bucks, canadian). now it sits level with the camper in. the camper is an old 8 foot 70's heavy job. forget the air bags, buy the camper, slide it in, if it sags get a leaf put in on each side (250 dollars). if it goes to the ground put 2 leaves on each side. i've got standard a standard suspension including shocks, and it doesn't even sway on the highway. problem solved.

there is a bonus to this setup, without the camper on the truck sticks to the road like glue, no body sway, it's like a sports car.

LOL Paul

I have 1988 F-150 XLT Lariet 4x4. The springs where worn out. I needed to do something to support my 1984 Reallite slide in. I found out, through detailed research, that Ford used the same spring set up for a few years. I went to the junkyard and picked up a set of springs of a newer F-250. They fit perfect. It only cost me around $50, and a few hours on a weekend. You have to have little mechnical now how, but it is not to hard. I went one step further and got a set of Monroe Air Ride shocks. They add around 1500 pounds of capacity, and helps the ride out to. Hope my info has given some ideas.