Rough ride with Timbrens and Rancho 9000xls

Timbrens are just a rubber block between the frame and axle. They would not be my first choice for ride quality. There is pretty much no car or truck manufacturer that produces a suspension like this - for a reason. Springs and airbags on the other hand are quite common.

I think the biggest part of your problem may be the poor condition of California freeways, I never had a problem with Tembrens any where else. It was hwy 5 north just out of Bakersfield that caused me to add two more leafs per rear side, this the ultimate fix.

As to my previous answer, I meant space between the Tembren and the axle 3/4", not the frame rail - sorry for my confusion. :?

OP, now you know why the smart RV tow'ers and TC haulers use airbags as they are infinitely adjustable and so quick and easy to do or even from inside the truck, if you choose, while driving. More or less air pressure from about 200 lbs all the way up to 5,000 lbs of additional suspension support and from side to side variable to level out the rig as needed or wanted. NO jolting ride at all as you are riding on a balloon filled with air for the additional needed support! We used to use other types of overloads (rubber type and steel) in our 52 years of RV'ing and know the vast differences in the rides. Will NEVER go back to them as the ride is terrible compared!

NO either hitting the overloads/Timbrens etc or not as they are truly supportive and progressive whether loaded or unloaded. Been using Air-Lift Systems airbags on every truck since 1993 and never had a leak or failure. In fact, the first ones installed on our 1993 GM which was sold to an asparagus farmer friend are still going strong and the truck presently has over 400,000 miles on it.

We carry our 11'4" Fully optioned out Lance TC on our OEM GM 2500HD D/A CC LB 4X4 which is enhanced the same as the same model year 3500HD SRW model and also has the airbags and Rancho 9000 adjustable shocks. Now have well over 75,000 miles of carrying the big heavy Lance alone and it rides and handles great! Truck (ordered new) has only been used for RV'ing with the TC or our Carriage Carrilite 5th wheel and is closing in on 200K on the odometer. Will only use oversize Michelin "E" LT tires on our trucks. Excellent combo for all our uses!

Ok several replies from folks who don't understand Timbrens or what you have going on.
First, you were looking for sway control, not more load carrying ability.
Timbrens won't help sway(not really sway, but body roll) other than adding more spring rate to the back end making it stiffer. And that's what they did for you.
Forget about the shocks. Loaded with the camper, they don't affect how stiff the truck rides. They don't carry load.
How much did the truck sag before the Timbrens and how much of a gap did you set between the Timbrens and the bump stops? This is where you need to look.
I.e. If the truck dropped 3" before installing and you have 3/4" gap empty, then you're sitting hard down on rubber blocks that make it ride rough. Period.
If you can get some more gap in the Timbrens, take out spacers and washers so the gap is a little less, the same or a little more than the amount of sag, loaded w/o Timbrens, then they will engage later in the spring travel, or only when you start rolling to one side.
The bigger the gap, the less load they take and it sounds like you're sitting down hard on them.
I did this on my last company F150 because it was always loaded and sometimes woefully overloaded. The Timbrens kept me from going down the road doing the Cali lean when overloaded at the expense of riding like a wagon the rest of the time. It's what they do.

Good morning all, thanks for the replies. To answer a few questions, yes the proper clearance was achieved netween the bed rails and the Timbrens, yes I have facory overloads and they do/are engaging properly. I didn't put both the Ranchos and the Timbrens on at once. I've been running the Ranchos for a couple years with this Lance amd my last camper. The sway wasn't "bad", but I wanted a little more stability which is why I added the Timbrens. Perhaps the way it was was what I should have been happy with. In any event, this afternoon before the next leg of my trip I'll crawl under and turn down the Ranchos.

Thanks again !
Dak

Yes, try turning your ranchos down. That's why they are adjustable! It should help at least some, especially unloaded.

Also, this is a good example of why doing 2 suspension mods at once my not be a good idea. You won't know which one is helping or hurting you.

MN Ben wrote:
Without the camper, try 5# of air or the minimum as directed by the manufacturer in your Timbren air bags and your 9000's on #3 or #4.

Comfy ride for me.

You really got to play with the setting. Drive the same route of bumps until you find what works for you.

Keep in touch,
Ben

1) Tembrens do not use air...
2) Empty with no load in the bed there should be about 3/4" clearance between the Tembrens and frame rails.... If not, you may have the wrong model Tembren.
3) Does your 3500 have factory overloads?? If so, are they engaging properly when under a load? If not, add stable-loads to engage the overloads.

Without the camper, try 5# of air or the minimum as directed by the manufacturer in your Timbren air bags and your 9000's on #3 or #4.

Comfy ride for me.

You really got to play with the setting. Drive the same route of bumps until you find what works for you.

Keep in touch,
Ben