Improving rear sag

It has been my experience that springs weaken over time without the use of airbags. I finally got the PacBrake brand air bags (supposed to be better than Firestones)and they really put a smile on my face.

No more relying on springs alone for me ever again.

I agree with adjusting the headlights. If the ride isnt the problem, then why mess with it? Adding stuff just to adjust the headlights may affect your ride quality,,,

MORSNOW, thanks for answering my questions! That was exactly the information I was looking for. This has been almost as interesting as the diesel vs gas engine topic!

sleepy, you don't have a real truck .. you have a GMC. Joking, really. I'm not sure if you'd admit buying the wrong truck either, but that is beside the point of the op's question, right?

Maybe I started out with a real truck

The Op said he wants to adjust his head light beams... that his trucks hauling capacity was fine.

Airbags work for that just fine. I don't lose air winter or summer (where did that come from)

My airbags are 11 years old, we have 70,000 miles, 49 states and most of Canada, 1081 nights traveling... and coutless day trips with a very big camper

I don't fix what ain't broke... I don't break my stuff by adding junk just for the hell of it.

Some have a propeller in their hitch reciever... I don't!

gregchambers wrote:
If the existing ride and handling is acceptable and I just want to raise the rear slightly to point the headlights where they should be, what would be the better system, Timbrens or Stabil Loads? I know that Stabil Loads can be quickly repositioned when the truck is unloaded but it sounds like they only provide minimal ride height improvement. Timbrens are not removable but shouldn't come into play until a load is added. Do Timbrens increase ride height? Truck is primarily dedicated to carrying the camper. Has anyone ever used both system separately? Your thoughts/comments would be appreciated! I am not interested in air bags.

Instead of telling you to buy something you haven't asked for, I have both StableLoads and Timbrens on my 2012 GMC 2500HD carrying a 2014 Wolf Creek 850 and almost always towing a 16' aluminum open trailer with ATV's. I started out completely stock last summer, then added lower StableLoads in the fall, and now added HD Timbrens this summer. I'll try to answer each of your questions below.

1. I just want to raise the rear slightly to point the headlights where they should be, what would be the better system, Timbrens or Stabil Loads?
A. StableLoads for sure. They are easy to engage/disengage and your truck rides great on the factory springs as it was designed to. They raised my rear end to almost level and the ride was great without hardly any side to side sway (no rear sway-bar on a stock GM).

2. Do Timbrens increase ride height?
A. No, they clear my axle by about 3/4" when empty, and just touch the axle when loaded. I also do not have a harsh engagement like I have read on here, maybe that came from those who only assumed they would?

3. Has anyone ever used both system separately?
A. Yes, and if I had to choose one of these for your situation described above I would definitely choose the StableLoads.

4. I am not interested in air bags.
A. I am not either. My friends with them have issues in the winter holding air and they have a lot of side to side sway and bouncing. If you have a very heavy camper on a 2500 truck, then they may be needed to force your truck back up to level, but you didn't mention that as an issue. I would install Super Springs or custom rear spring packs for a really heavy load.

The above is just my opinion with my situation. There is NO BEST as we all have different trucks, campers, tires, additional loads, etc.

Sleepy,
Just because that works for your specific situation, doesn't mean it works for everyone. With MY camper, on MY truck Stableloads were definitely needed. With the stock suspension, my camper caused the truck to just barely sit on the overloads. That caused it to bounce on and off them on bumps. Engaging the Stableloads allowed the overloads to constantly be a part of the spring pack and caused the porpoising to stop totally. No airbags needed.

I have been using air bags only... since Oct 2002... I have no idea why you would need stable loads or any thing else.

Some people add everything they can to their trucks... even before they buy a truck camper.... no idea if they need it or not.

The then defend their mods as if they made a difference... and the truth is.... they often make it worse, but who wants to admit to making a colossal mistake?

Most of us know... and just wink and shake our heads, knowing a sucker and his money are soon parted.

Don't solve problems you don't have... solve problems after you've actually identified a shortcoming.

To the op...

In the COG thread and in this thread Reddog1 explained how to use the airbags for exactly what you want. If you'll follow his lead you'll be very happy.

Save your money... use it for PVSolar panels... or fuel for a trip.

BTW... don't chip your truck either... there is no need, it voids your warrenty, and shortens the life of your trucks engine... turns your Truck camper in to a lawn orniment!



Sleepy

wnjj wrote:

cewillis wrote:

Reddog1 wrote:
Unloaded, your truck sits at a given height. Load the TC, and it will definitely squat, regardless of what you have for suspension.
Wayne

Sorry, but not true. (perhaps just misstated?) My truck rides at stock height fully loaded at just under 3000 lb, as I've shown here before. Springs.

The only way a loaded truck and unloaded one can be at the same height is with a solid frame without springs or springs you can "adjust". I think that is Wayne's point. If you have stock ride height with a camper you must have higher than stock without unless you have a method (airbags or removable springs) to alter the spring rate.

A suspension system that doesn't change height with a load effectively has an infinite spring rate and therefore isn't a spring.

That is my belief. I do not mean to be disrespectful, but if someone does not understand this basic point, there is no reason to discuss the subject with them.

cewillis wrote:

wnjj wrote:
Springs.
If you have stock ride height with a camper --- you have a method (airbags or removable springs) to alter the spring rate.

Might check the link.

Looks like a nice setup. Your springs are much beefier with the overloads. I assume your truck still changes ride height when you add the camper or do you remove the blocks or overloads when you take the camper off?

My point was you need to alter the springs between loaded and unloaded to maintain the exact same height loaded and unloaded. More weight requires more force provided by the suspension. You can certainly add stuff to make the loaded ride the same as it was unloaded but by definition that will make your unloaded ride height higher too.