Helper springs or air bags?

Itakethe5th2011 wrote:
If price is no object, air bags would be the best way to go. The problem with air bags, you will need a air compressor, a controller in the cab, (to adjust the bags hight) and the air bags with mounts. Then you have to hook it all up. I removed my bump stops and installed Timbren Suspension System. It took less than a hour to install. The bottom of the timber sits one inch above the axle so it will not change the ride of my truck. Once I load the 5th wheel, my truck squats a little over a inch. It is more stable side to side and no maintenance required.

You don't "need" anything but a basic airbag kit and there is zero maintenance required. You musnt have had airbags before.
Although a little compressor or even a decent bike pump is handy to air down after you drop the camper for bobtail driving.

Itakethe5th2011 wrote:
If price is no object, air bags would be the best way to go. The problem with air bags, you will need a air compressor, a controller in the cab, (to adjust the bags hight) and the air bags with mounts. Then you have to hook it all up. I removed my bump stops and installed Timbren Suspension System. It took less than a hour to install. The bottom of the timber sits one inch above the axle so it will not change the ride of my truck. Once I load the 5th wheel, my truck squats a little over a inch. It is more stable side to side and no maintenance required.

Having a fully automated system is nice but not needed. Run the valves back to the rear bumper and use a bike pump. Unless you are airing them up and down several times a day, it's not a huge imposition. They don't hold a lot of air. You still have to worry about leaks over time.

That said, we went with sumosprings on our F250. 1 bolt per side. Biggest issue was getting the old rusty bolt out. On a newer truck without rust, should be a 15-20min job.

They are progressive, so unloaded, they don't create a harsh ride.

C.B. wrote:

Geo*Boy wrote:
I have had very good results with Timbrens. They make a kit, FR1504E, for your truck and you can remove the supplied spacer to adjust the ride.

Ditto:

Timbrens work great on my F-350. No messing around with air compressor.


C.B.

x3

I probably have a little less than 1" of space between the Timbrens and axle unloaded, and it settles down with a heavy load. I think it improves the heavily loaded ride quite a bit without being overly harsh. About $200 and zero maintenance.

On a Ram 2500 specifically they also ride outside of the coil springs so they effectively widen out the suspension on the axle.

Quick and inexpensive. Find an old fashioned spring shop and have them add a leaf. It will raise your unloaded rear ride height.

If price is no object, air bags would be the best way to go. The problem with air bags, you will need a air compressor, a controller in the cab, (to adjust the bags hight) and the air bags with mounts. Then you have to hook it all up. I removed my bump stops and installed Timbren Suspension System. It took less than a hour to install. The bottom of the timber sits one inch above the axle so it will not change the ride of my truck. Once I load the 5th wheel, my truck squats a little over a inch. It is more stable side to side and no maintenance required.

On various light duty trucks, I've used helper springs and Timbrens. The helper springs made the unloaded ride a bit rougher, but not bad, and they worked outstanding for towing and stabilization. Timbrens caused my Ram 1500 to have a jarring ride that was completely undesirable. I won't consider them again in a light duty application. Another option is Sumo Springs bump stops. I've never heard a bad thing about them.

Helper springs and timbrens are full time support. Airbags can be easily adjusted for the load, or no load at all.

Geo*Boy wrote:
I have had very good results with Timbrens. They make a kit, FR1504E, for your truck and you can remove the supplied spacer to adjust the ride.

Ditto:

Timbrens work great on my F-350. No messing around with air compressor.


C.B.

Quit finding solutions to problems that don’t exist and go camping.

I have had very good results with Timbrens. They make a kit, FR1504E, for your truck and you can remove the supplied spacer to adjust the ride.