Suspension on '99 Ford F250 4x4 with Camper Pkg

[TGK]

I have a '99 Ford F250 4x4 SC long bed & 5.4L V8 gas engine with the factory camper package and tow package. There are 5 rear springs + an overload spring. Question is whether the suspension will be too stiff and cause damage to my 1971 23' Safari tandem axle. The truck only has 99,000 miles and for most of it's life, it has had a lightweight popup camper shell mounted in the bed weighing 1,000 - 1,400 lbs depending on how much gear I load into it. With the camper in place the ride is softened considerably. I've had my Safari for 11 years and 95% of the time the camper has been on the truck when towing. It pulled fine and the only time it had to work hard was when climbing some of the mountain passes in Oregon. Without the camper, the ride is very stiff. I'm considering either selling the camper or removing it when towing in the future. So, I'm interested in feedback on this issue. I've also considered selling the truck and buying something newer. One option would be a new F150. If I did that, the camper would not be on the truck when towing. On the other hand, given the cost of new rigs, I may just hang on to the '99, given the relatively low mileage. It's been a very reliable truck and still has some life left in it. (Note: the photo associated with my profile shows the truck with a canopy mounted in the truck bed. Only had that for a short time. The camper shell I reference above is by Four Wheel Camper out of California)

[SpletKay06]

If your worried about it you could remove a spring or two and keep the overloads there just in case. That would soften up the ride and be very inexpensive.