I recently added a 4x4 Labs rear bumper and I'm running the 701V. So far I like the ride quality. I'd say it's firm but not stiff or harsh. It's appropriate for the bumper and any additional weight for what I throw in the back. It also gives the truck a nice rear rake so that when you are loaded you aren't ass down. It rides a hell of a lot better than when I had no bumper and Icon 2" springs. Maybe look into the 701v, I know a lot of others as well who have switched to them and really liked the ride quality.
I don't think the 729 is necessarily inappropriate for his situation, depends on the setup, his gear, and how much load is carried for DD and for camping. The 727 is rated for an additional 200-400lbs. That rear bumper alone weights 250lbs. If he's running a rack, sliders, skids, fridge, drawers, hi-lift you will quickly and easily exceed 400lbs. Then when you throw actual camp gear, water cans, jerry cans, food, people in the back you will be way over the load capacity of the 727. See my comment above. I'm running a 4x4 Labs rear bumper with the 701v variable rate coils for 600-800lbs. Even when I'm unloaded I think the ride quality is good and yet it will be ready to handle any additional weight from camping gear.
I think if you talk to Mike at Dobinsons he'd recommend going with the 729 with an added rear bumper. Sometimes I think expectations also need to be kept in check. There are so many variables when it comes to ride quality that it's hard to say that it's one thing or the other. Tires, shocks, spring rates, and weight all come into play. Tires could be too harsh. Shocks could be valved incorrectly. Springs rates not appropriate for load. With the weight of a rear bumper sometimes no matter how much you try to match springs and shocks it's hard and near impossible to regain stock ride quality. That's just the nature of the beast sometimes when you mod trucks.
