Airbags, suspension upgrade or none of the above?

[rinabean]

Looking to purchase a Camper pop up for my 2020 Gladiator Sport. Will be on full time and add an approx. 500-600 of additional weight to the jeep.
Some say it should be fine and just keep an eye on the sag if any, others say get at least airbags with E rated tires.. some say spring and suspension upgrade
any tips, suggestions or personal experiences with camper tops weighing around 500-600lbs?

Thanks much

 

[darkhorse13]

I don't feel like you need airbags with that amount of weight. I'm carrying 600lb-700lb constant load with no sag. You just need to find the appropriate springs. I recommend looking at AEV HD coils or Dobinson HD springs. Dobinsons in particular make a constant load springs capable of up to 1210lb constant load! I personally run Synergy 3" coils front and rear with a 3/4" Daystar rear spacer. I chose to also run a rear spacer because I like to have about a 1/4" rake before filling up my 20gal water tank and adding bikes to the back (then I sit level). I've also run Clayton springs before but you will need to get a 1" longer spring in the rear for that load. I ran the 2.5" up front and 3.5" in the rear with Clayton. IMO, Clayton springs are rather firm and paired with Falcon SP2 3.3 shocks they were a little too firm for my taste. My 37" Nitto Ridge Grapplers are D-Load I believe. I personally wouldn't run E Load.

There's a NEW option out in the market now by Accuair which is full air ride and leveling. I think it has very practical applications for overlanding folks with constantly changing loads = https://accuair.com/collections/jee...diator-air-suspension-system-ultimate-package

Here's a whole writeup that I did = https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...stant-load-overland-build.55227/#post-1001532

I think I have another thread out here too somewhere about constant load. The one above is my most recent though.

Here's some pics to give you an idea of what I carry... minus a 75lb bike rack and (2) 30lb-ish bikes sometimes.

AluCab Canopy = 137lb
AluCab Tent = 168lb
AluCab Shadow Awning = 53lb
ARB Fridge = 75lb
misc = Stove, Kitchen gear, propane, RotoPax, recovery gear = 125lb-ish

 

[rinabean]

Thanks for the info
Ya, I think just some heavier rated springs might be suffice
My tires are aftermarket and pretty beefy already- might be ok there also.
Appreciate the feedback and recommendations

 

[Mr._Bill]

Look for a set of rear spring take-offs from someone with a MaxTow model.

 

[ecidiego]

What is the rest of the payload? Wife and 3 kids? Solo? 500 lbs of gas water and coolers?

 

[jeep1]

The AEV 3" high capacity springs are rated for a constant +400-700lbs of load. They are a full set so more expensive ($598) than Dobinson's above but certainly look like a fit for your load.

I had set on for a while but with only a light rack and RTT, I'm probably only 250lbs without additional gear and the backend of my JT was almost 3" taller than the 3" lift (Rock Crawler ProX) that I'm running. Just too much lift for day to day use.

 

[rinabean]

What is the rest of the payload? Wife and 3 kids? Solo? 500 lbs of gas water and coolers?

500lb with just the camper, then on outings, add 2 ppl, e mountain bikes or dirtbike, cooler and food, so maybe an extra 200-300 lbs?

 

[rinabean]

The AEV 3" high capacity springs are rated for a constant +400-700lbs of load. They are a full set so more expensive ($598) than Dobinson's above but certainly look like a fit for your load.

I had set on for a while but with only a light rack and RTT, I'm probably only 250lbs without additional gear and the backend of my JT was almost 3" taller than the 3" lift (Rock Crawler ProX) that I'm running. Just too much lift for day to day use.

Full set meaning front also? Will def ask the shop about these- thanks

 

[jeep1]

Yes. Front and rear. No change in height in the front although they are certainly stiffer.

 

[rinabean]

Yes. Front and rear. No change in height in the front although they are certainly stiffer.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Look for a set of rear spring take-offs from someone with a MaxTow model.

I've got a pair on the shelves........... they were ok but when I put 500 pounds of trailer tongue weight on my truck, it wasn't enough.
Doubt I'll put them under the 2022 now.

500 pounds drops my Overland a LOT. So I put in air bags to handle the weight when towing. I can keep the truck nearly level that way and then drop the pressure back to 5 or 6 psi for normal driving.
I must say - it takes 30+ psi to hold up that 500 pounds of tongue weight. But - that's weight at the rear bumper, too - not in the bed. 500 in the bed wouldn't be nearly as bad.

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