Air bags or Timbrens

I'm a Timbrens person. Install them "properly", leave them and no worry about air leaks (or airing up or down when load weight changes). If they contact when empty, then re-adjust them with shims. Had them on both leaf spring system and coil spring systems. My next tow vehicle will have them as well. I had air bags and where too much fuss. And in the end, they had air leak as well.

I wonder if air bags can be installed with the ford fifthwheel prep? This package gives you the undercount hardware for a Reese elite series fifthwheel hitch.

Had Timbrens on my '03. Worked very well and happy w/ them. Over time though, I think the springs lost some stiffness as the Timbrens were making contact pretty much all the time w/ the axle. Lifetime warranty w/ Timbrens.

New truck, I went w/ Torquelift Stable loads (upper and lower). Uppers make contact all the time w/ factory aux springs, but ride isn't too terribly harsh. Afterall it is a truck, not a car. Have heard contrary to another post, not supposed to trim the uppers so they don't make contact unloaded. Lowers are a bit of a pain to engage/disengage, BUT what a difference they make engaged!! No sag in conjunction w/ the upper SL and no need for a sway bar. Lifetime warranty too here.

For the OP, you can see each has there pluses and minuses. Patience is required to install any of them. Why can't Ford, GM and Ram offer a true air ride susp like semis have?

mine has been bagged since 2011 and never had an issue with them.

Same set of firestone air bags for the last 12 years with no issues. Work well towing the TT, livestock and flatbed trailers.

Timbrens and upper StableLoads do affect ride quality when unloaded if you travel poorly maintained roads. Anywhere that requires more than the 1" of suspension travel will engage these suspension aids. I tried the Energy Suspension bump pads - They did help the unloaded ride quality over StableLoads but compressed too much before engaging the suspension resulting in too much sag when under load.

Have Timbrens on my 2500 CTD. The ride unloaded is the same as not having them. Loaded the ride is good. Would I get them again? Maybe, price is the big draw as well as installation. I think I would get bags next time around if needed. Had bags on a previous truck and they're more versatile than Timbrens. More of a hassle w/o a built in compressor but not that much.
For those that say they ride bad unloaded, that means they were installed wrong. They sit 1" above the axle when unloaded. So unless you're hitting really big bumps they never come into play. Also if the trucks shocks and springs are shot then you could get too much movement bringing the Timbrens into play. In that case springs or shocks should be changed out.

Air bags would be my preference...had the timbrens on a work truck...didn't take long to get them off! Rode like a farm wagon! Installed air bags, 100% better ride!

Had Firestone airbags on my F150 and they were great , helped with ride height , chucking and improved the unloaded ride somewhat.

wcjeep wrote:
Have you considered Torklift Stableloads?

X2