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Hello Nancy,

I would not do the extra leaf springs. They are not adjustable and 
might be too stiff without the trailer but not stiff enough with the trailer.

I beefed up the sway bars on a truck with an overhead camper to 
reduce sway and IMO it made the sway worse when driving on uneven 
roads and dirt campsites. On the freeway it was great but turning 
thru intersections with dips the rig would sway much worse throwing 
stuff around inside the camper. All sway bars reduce the ability of 
the normal suspension to allow the wheels to move independently. I 
would not do beefier sway bars.

I would do the oversized shocks again. The old ones are probably 
fatigued anyway. Do not get airshocks because the shock mounts are 
not made to carry constant weight and those type shocks are usually 
inferior in actual "shock" ability.

If you need to level the rig because of the trailer hitch weight I 
would get a "load leveler" or "weight distribution" type hitch. 
http://www.councilhitch.com/loadLv_swayCtrl.html The sway control 
option is also very nice especially going downhill on windy mountain 
roads. Uphill is usually never a problem.

If you do not already have one an electric tongue jack 
http://www.adventurerv.net/electric-power-tongue-3002-ultra-fab-jack-3000-p-91.html 
will make it very easy to hook up and properly adjust the "load leveler".

The last option is air bags but I have not used them.

Don Huston




At 08:18 PM 6/19/2009 Friday, you wrote:
> I need some advise regarding my 1998, 23 foot, F-350,V10, Tioga 
> RV.  It has a fair amount of side to side sway.  I have over sized 
> Bilstein shocks (3 years old) and a newer steering stabilizer (2 
> years old).  I tow a 2 horse, aluminum trailer.  The RV has 47,000 
> miles on it and other than the sway it runs wonderful and sometimes 
> even gets 10 mpg.
> The guy at the local shop suggested I put new, beefier sway bars in 
> the back for about $750.  Some folks have suggested the air lift air 
> springs.  I have also been told to add another leaf spring.
> When I had the shocks replaced it was as if I got a new RV.  A year 
> later I had the steering stabilizer replaced and that made a world 
> of difference.  Could it be possible I need new shocks again?  Thank 
> you for your thoughts and insight!
> Nancy Reed
> Lazy J Ranch
> Elfin Forest, CA


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