[mrein3]

Air shocks, air bags, helpers, and anything else you come up with, on a half ton you are still putting all that weight on about a 7/8" shaft of steel that is riding around on a light weight bearing in the axel housing.

I've replaced a lot of these axels that were worn from too much weight.

You can put a camper in there, just don't exceed the factory recommended weight for the truck and all the stuff you pile on it. Newer campers are a heck of a lot lighter than what was available in 1972.