Forum Discussion

3KP's avatar
3KP
Explorer
Dec 30, 2015

Timbrens or Firestone ride rite bags and camper cover?

I recently purchased a slide in camper 2001 Northstar 10.5 XL I own a 91 F350 4x4 crew cab. I noticed when I went over some bumps I got a little hopping/bouncing in the rear. Truck is slightly nose high but not to bad. I was told to put different shocks to take the bounce out. But was also told to put bags on it to take the bounce out. So I started to look into bags and found the Timbrens.

Also want to purchase a camper cover but not sure on the size I need? Camper is 10 1/2 ft bottom and 17 ft across the top.

Any suggestions?

Thank you

Michael
Truck Campers

25 Replies

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  • VoodooMedicineM's avatar
    VoodooMedicineM
    Explorer
    Dec 30, 2015
    gpascazio wrote:
    I would not recommend Timbrens. Had a set on my 2008 F350 and they did not work worst ride ever. So I guess the firestones are the way to go given your choices. However, I would look into updating or replacing the springs. When I took the truck to a spring shop they suggested adding two leafs on each side, after putting the springs in the truck rides great to me this was the best upgrade that I have made to the TC.


    I have Timbrens and I thing they're great. They ride about 1 inch away from the axle tube when not loaded and only come in to play when loaded. I have an 05 F350 pulling a 38 ft 5th wheel.
  • noteven's avatar
    noteven
    Explorer III
    Dec 30, 2015
    If you increase the spring rate by adding air springs or stabil loads that engage the overload spring and you still have the pogo stick effect consider full hydraulic shocks vs gas shocks.

    Springs are springs whether they are steel or air or rubber. They want to do the pogo stick thing...
  • gpascazio's avatar
    gpascazio
    Explorer
    Dec 30, 2015
    I would not recommend Timbrens. Had a set on my 2008 F350 and they did not work worst ride ever. So I guess the firestones are the way to go given your choices. However, I would look into updating or replacing the springs. When I took the truck to a spring shop they suggested adding two leafs on each side, after putting the springs in the truck rides great to me this was the best upgrade that I have made to the TC.
  • jimh406's avatar
    jimh406
    Explorer III
    Dec 30, 2015
    You've got an older truck. I'd probably update the shocks to something like Bilstein 4600s that will only help the ride and update the springs. If your springs are anything like my friends 97, they have lost their arch a while ago.
  • davidaf's avatar
    davidaf
    Explorer
    Dec 30, 2015
    A good set of shocks should help but I'd have a look at TorkLift StableLoads as a first step. Often times that excessive bouncing you experience is due to coming off the overload springs. The StableLoads will help keep the overloads engaged to avoid that rebound.

    Some prefer Timbrens but I'd rather have bags if going that route. I've found the loaded ride to be better with bags.

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