Air bags, add a leaf, or overload springs

Most here will recommend air bags. if you don't want to invest quite that much, I'd suggest Timbrens. I had the Timbrens and really liked them. If I were going to full time, I'd invest in the air bags.....

I wouldn't add a thing till the truck/trailer is loaded and hooked up and a short run is made.
Some have bought suspension help for their tow vehicle and it wasn't needed.

The Timbrens look interesting, may be all I need. Look easy to self install.
Any advantage to putting on front as well as rear?

JIMNLIN wrote:
I wouldn't add a thing till the truck/trailer is loaded and hooked up and a short run is made.
Some have bought suspension help for their tow vehicle and it wasn't needed.

Yep, I agree...wait and see what it looks like when hooked up and go from there. IF needed, air bags would level your load if your "sagging in the rear end:). I used them on an 03' Chevy one time and it did the job I needed done.

Byrogie wrote:
The Timbrens look interesting, may be all I need. Look easy to self install.
Any advantage to putting on front as well as rear?

I don't think I've ever heard of anyone putting them on the front. But all your weight from a 5th wheel is over the rear axel anyway. They are very easy to install.....

Hook it up before you do anything. The picture of my 97 in this post has 2500lbs on it and has always been level. No Air bags just the stock suspension. And for those that may have not seen any of my other posts my scaled payload is 2800 lbs. and 3200lbs before I reach the tire axle rating.

Byrogie wrote:
The Timbrens look interesting, may be all I need. Look easy to self install.
Any advantage to putting on front as well as rear?

timbrens keep you from "bottoming out". Don't know that anyone has ever put them on the front of the truck, just the rear...

As stated by several, hook up and see what it looks like, THEN decide....:)

Yeah not for the front.That would give you a teeth shattering ride as well.

Those will def stiffen up the rearend as well.

Airbags are a better option imo in that you can change the pressure when you are unloaded so you dont have to have that still rearend all the time.Ive had them both and airbags win hands down.

But if money is an issue go with timbrens.Def much much cheaper.Especially if you add an onboard compressor to inflate and deflate bags which again imo is the way to go long term.Just soooo much easier to do.

You might want to see how it rides first but im thinking those leaf springs are getting tired at this point and you may sag quite a bit.

KSadler1 wrote:

Byrogie wrote:
The Timbrens look interesting, may be all I need. Look easy to self install.
Any advantage to putting on front as well as rear?

I don't think I've ever heard of anyone putting them on the front. But all your weight from a 5th wheel is over the rear axel anyway. They are very easy to install.....

They (Timbrens) make them for the front.......snow plow, front racks etc.

No need for them on front end otherwise.

Inexpensive, easy to install.....and forget about them. They are progressive rubber springs. Definitely help out on rear when towing and completely out of play when not towing.

Trail-Mate wrote:
Hook it up before you do anything. The picture of my 97 in this post has 2500lbs on it and has always been level. No Air bags just the stock suspension. And for those that may have not seen any of my other posts my scaled payload is 2800 lbs. and 3200lbs before I reach the tire axle rating.

X what ever to hookup first and see!

Same here 01 I only have about 2,00 to 2,200 on mine and just stock springs. Ride had not become the issue it is today so the trucks had real springs.