Timbrens vs Airbags vs Helper Spring

lawnspecialties wrote:
I have not used Timbrens so I can't say about them.

But my F350 that I use primarily for my landscape business has helper springs. It tows or has a load in the bed 98% of the time its on the road.

My F350 I use for towing the camper has air bags. This way I can adjust. They're hardly noticeable when unloaded at 10 psi.

Last note. I googled your camper in your signature. It appears to be a travel trailer, correct? A properly set-up quality WD hitch should be able to keep you from buying any of this stuff.

This! Properly set WDH with the packages you already have should be gracious plenty. If not should have gone with a 3/4 ton.

My last F150 was fine pulling camper. Even towed it from Michigan to Nashville to Gatlinburg and back. Had plenty of power and no sway (using a Blue Ox sway pro) the only issue I had was porpusing, added a leaf and that problem was solved. Just a rough ride when unloaded. A 250 or 350 were out of the question for now with to kids in a private highschool and college around the corner. We have 1 maybe 2 years left with this camper before we downsize to a cottage on the lake up north some where.

TomG2 wrote:
Silverado 2500HD is a great mod.

Funny in a sort of way!!!!

Super springs on my 2010 max tow f150 were very good!
Did lift rear end up 3/4 ". But worked as designed. Liked the fact it was put them on and forget it.

donn0128 wrote:
Huh? Makes no sense. Why would you buy a marginal tool then try to beef it up?

Focus donno, focus on the question at hand.

Timbrens or helpers are the most economical, but best suited for full time use imo. Timbrens can be set low for an unaffected empty ride but then the truck has to sag a ways for them to take load, or if shimmed up they kick in pretty quick, almost like helper springs but more abrupt.
Since you're towing and not hauling a heavy hi profile load like a truck camper, stability isn't really an issue, so air bags are a great part time option. There when you need them, gone when you don't.

The 150 with Max tow/max payload should be able to level the load with a WDH. If not, you are most likely over the RAWR, and should have run the numbers before purchasing the 150.

Happy Mother's Day to all!

Jerry

camp-n-family wrote:
The Timbrens are the only ones that won't affect the unloaded ride since they don't engage until weight is added and the suspension drops. Bags, even if only low pressured, and springs are always engaged and will affect ride.

I disagree about the bags, less air and you don't even know their there. Timbrens are junk in my opinion, once you put some weight on them its like riding with no suspension at all...ever been on a hay wagon...just about the same ride.

Timbrens did a great job on my Silverado 1500. Make you a heck of a deal if they would fit. Traded my 1500 in.

donn0128 wrote:

donn0128 wrote:
Huh? Makes no sense. Why would you buy a marginal tool then try to beef it up?

Naw. The trailer at around 38 feet long and a 8800 pound GVWR is simply too much trailer for a 150/1500 series truck.

Aha! Well, then that's the problem. The OP didn't buy a 1/2 ton marginal vehicle. He wisely bought a heavy duty truck with around 11,500 pounds tow capacity. His 33ft camper checks in at 8500 pound GVWR, well under the recommended limit.

One of the problems with modern trucks, both 1/2 ton series and lately 3/4 ton series, is that the magazine shootouts critically rate them for soft ride. As a consequence, the rear axles have longer travel to handle similar weights as in the past, yet are more compliant over a greater range for better ride. It is not rocket science; the leaf springs are generally longer.

Since all steel springs normally have a linear load/compression characteristic, a direct relationship of pounds per inch, they now simply compress more to handle increased load. On the other hand, ordinary OEM shock absorbers (dampers) are preset to damp only ordinary rebound forces, even then a little on the gentle side to enhance unloaded ride tests. On anything but a smooth road, the extra reciprocating weight of bouncing campers is not accurately accounted for in OEM damping restriction settings. Either get Bilsteins or a quality adjustable shock like Rancho for best results.

To make things worse, many Travel Trailers have an "extra spring" that has no damping at all. The spring is the set of equalizing bars that many folks prefer to use (for good reason). During wavy interstate travel, a late model stock truck is more likely to porpoise as the OEM shocks are inadequate for just the loaded truck springs. Add the rebound of equalizing bars and the undamped natural frequency, aka porpoising, can get quite annoying.

Adding air bags or other springs also affect corresponding rebound damping; suitable new adequate shocks are again preferred.

Wes
...

I put timbrens on my F250 in 2003 and have never had an issue with them. I never aim at low flying airplanes, the ride is good with over 2000# pin weight, and there has been NO maintenance required on them. If I had it to do over again I'd go with the timbrens again....nothing to break, lose air pressure or blow up.