Timbrens vs Air bags

C Schomer wrote:
I have 1 friend with timbrens and his truck rides worse than a grain wagon. I've read that timbrens are supposed to allow about 1" travel before they hit. That means they would be hitting regularly on the roads around my side of the valley, even empty. Bags are adjustable and you can keep the back end at empty height, which is what I do, because I built my hauler bed low and close to the tires to give me plenty of bed clearance. You can also load closer to your tire and axle capacities or at least up to your payload w/o the truck squashing down so low, if that's what you'd like.
You can also do more with bags to tune out rough roads. Craig

Tried Timbrens and took them off after about 50 miles. They DESTROYED the empty ride.
Michigan freeway expansion joints move the rear suspension more than an inch!!

I have a 2008 Ram 2500 CTD with 103K miles. When I first put on the Timbrens I loved them. I had almost an inch between the Timbrens and the axle. Fast forward a few years and I just changed the Timbrens out for Firestone Ride Rite air bags. Once the suspension got down to where there was about a half inch of clearance from the Timbrens to the axle, the truck was riding rough as even relatively small bumps unloaded would engage the Timbrens harshly. I think the Timbrens work well when a truck is fairly new. Once the suspension has sagged a little after many miles, I think air bags are better because the Timbrens don't have enough clearance. At least that's how it worked on my truck. Love the air bags. Good luck.

Have Timberns on a '14 Ram used for a 4400lb pin horse trailer. They work great. Just mount them and forget about them. Truck rides the same when empty (it is a 1-ton truck). On the downside though, if you have a lighter load that gets them near engagement (or barely engages them), then the ride will suck... We later pulled a 24' goose with a tractor, and it rode terrible. Pulled them out (loosen two bolts, remove two bolts, and threw them in the tool box, 5min job tops) and the truck rode much better.

You can shim the Timbrens a little bit if needed.

Air bags give you a near infinite adjustment, but do cost more, and can leak, and can even be damaged on a more flexy suspension.

I have 1 friend with timbrens and his truck rides worse than a grain wagon. I've read that timbrens are supposed to allow about 1" travel before they hit. That means they would be hitting regularly on the roads around my side of the valley, even empty. Bags are adjustable and you can keep the back end at empty height, which is what I do, because I built my hauler bed low and close to the tires to give me plenty of bed clearance. You can also load closer to your tire and axle capacities or at least up to your payload w/o the truck squashing down so low, if that's what you'd like.
You can also do more with bags to tune out rough roads. Craig

It is important to note that airbags or Timbrens will not increase your load carrying capacity. The timbrens will stop you from bumping up against the overload springs and airbags will do the same thing but also will allow you to level your tow vehicle better than Timbrens. My F250 is at the max load carrying capacity with my 5ver and the Firestone airbags allow me to level the truck when towing. It also seems to do a better job of stopping the bounce than without them.