Camper Package for Towing

[cssutto]

I have been offered a good deal on a 2008 Lariat. It has several expensive things on it that I would not order, but it is a good deal.

I tow a 4 horse trailer. Nothing special, just a nice 4 horse Sundowner all aluminum.

I have a camper package on my present truck, a '99 7.3.

This 2008 does not have the camper package. Will I miss it?

I have always believed that it adds stability.

It does have the sway bar package.

Opinions will be appreciated.

CSSJR
If we do not wish to lose our freedom, we must learn to tolerate our
neighbor's right to freedom even though he might express that freedom
in a manner we consider to be eccentric.

[jgoff78]

no experience here just venturing a guess but i would imagine the increased gvwr, and new suspension would almost "cancel out". i think you will be fine as alot tow with out it but maybe someone that has had one will chime it.

[domersconstr]

We don't know much about the size of your trailer or the intended model and configuration of the truck you are looking at. Perhaps a few more details will provide you better feedback.

[4STAR]

I haul race horses for a living.Both of my '0 f-450's DO NOT have the camper package.They tow wonderfully.I think the camper package gives you heavier rated front coils.All the '08 f-450's come with anti- sway bars.You'll be fine.

[cssutto]

Originally Posted by 4STAR

I haul race horses for a living.Both of my '0 f-450's DO NOT have the camper package.They tow wonderfully.I think the camper package gives you heavier rated front coils.All the '08 f-450's come with anti- sway bars.You'll be fine.

I should have been more specific.

Present truck: 99 F350 7.3. Manual 6 gears. 4x4 SWD. 352,000 miles. Pulled trailer 100,000 plus.

Perfect for what I have used it for. Use will not change, just a little worried that it will not last forever.

Truck offered to me: F350 2008 6.4. 4 x 4 SWD.

Trailer: 4 horse slant Sundowner. I think the model is a 737 or something like that.

All aluminum. No living quarters, tack room only.

Never more than three horses, although my horse is just a hair under 17h big bone TB.

So not really a lot of weight on the trailer.

Don't want a DWD. Don't want 4.10. Present 3.73 is perfect for my use and the Eastern US. If I had to crawl over those big rocks out west, I would want a 4.10, but that is not where I travel.

Campers usualy have a larger alternator, but the truck offered has the 200 amp on it plus every creature comfort known to man.

It has the towing packages and all of that stuff but it has a standard suspension other than the sway bar package.

CSSJR

If we do not wish to lose our freedom, we must learn to tolerate our
neighbor's right to freedom even though he might express that freedom
in a manner we consider to be eccentric.

[SmokeyWren]

On a 2008 F-350 SRW 4x4, the camper pkg adds nothing that's not also included in the stabilizer pkg, except for the piece of paper in the glove box that tells you how much camper you can haul and maintain your factory warranty.

So no, you won't miss the camper pkg if yours has the stabilizer pkg. - Unless you want to haul a truck camper without voiding warranty on the truck.

[PowerStrokeHD]

On a F-350 the camper package and the stabilizer package are basically identical. Either package gives you heavy service front springs and a rear stabilizer bar. The only differences would be the camper package gives you your "camper certification" and cannot be ordered with 20" wheels.

[cssutto]

Thanks, fellows.

Much appreciated.

It is hard to keep straight all of the overlapping options, some of which do half of what another does and some of which do the same.

That clears that up for me.

Thanks again.

CSSJR

[Funkster]

I understand your concern about the camper package. Our '05 has the camper package. My '08 is setup pretty much like the one you're looking at. It was ordered in special but didn't have the camper package, but had the stabilizer package. No difference between our trucks as the last 2 have said. I think they did that to get the 20" tires on my truck. Some of these trucks though that's on the lot have almost everything on them but the things that make them a "truck".

-Funkster-

[Smokewagun]

Keep in mind that if the truck you are looking at has 20" wheels, the camper package wouldn't have been available with those wheels anyway.

[torino73]

OK, now I can help you. The camper package on the '08 comes with some sort of hardware and "certification" that costs extra (about $50 if I remember correctly) for a slip-in camper. I was informed through my salesman and their commercial guy that for heavy service out of a SRW F350, what you want is the "stabalizer package", which is what I ordered on mine. You can check on this if you like, but I just ordered this truck last Sat., I'm sure the info is correct.

[23608]

08:

Heavy spring pack (front springs/steering damper)- $125
Stabilizer pack (rear only)- $115
Camper pack (front spring upgrade/SRW rear stabilizer/certification) - $160

None of those can be ordered together, but you can add or get the following if you don't order Heavy Spring pack....

Snow plow pack- $85


just went through it,

.

[PowerStrokeHD]

Originally Posted by 23608

08:

Heavy spring pack (front springs/steering damper)- $125
Stabilizer pack (rear only)- $115
Camper pack (front spring upgrade/SRW rear stabilizer/certification) - $160

None of those can be ordered together, but you can add or get the following if you don't order Heavy Spring pack....

Snow plow pack- $85


just went through it,

.

The stabilizer package also gets the same front spring upgrade (heavy service) as the camper package.

[MDarrough]

Originally Posted by PowerStrokeHD

The stabilizer package also gets the same front spring upgrade (heavy service) as the camper package.

That is true because that's the way I ordered mine. Tows my 5er great!!

Mark

[lozeke]

Would you recommend the stabilizer package even if I have a weight distributing hitch w/sway control or is it a non issue.

Lozeke