Timbrens, air bags or air hitch

[12th_Man_Fan]

Probably opening a can of worms here, hope you have some popcorn handy.

I have a GMC dually and pull a 5th wheel with a pin weight of approx. 4,000 pounds.

The 5er has a trail air pin box and when I am on a decent road you hardly know the rv is back there but when I hit a typical Texas bridge transition there is a pretty harsh reaction and I am trying to reduce that as much as possible.

I know the air hitch is probably best but I just want some feedback from those that have had experience with all the above.

Thanks in advance.

Doug

PS forgot to mention I have the Bilstine 4600 shocks.

[IdaD]

wilber1 wrote:
With Timbrens I didn't notice much difference in ride when loaded. I had them on the truck for several years. Guess it just depends on individual circumstances.

I really only notice a difference when I hit a bump at highway speeds. They don't allow the truck to dip as much in the back so it settles down the ride. Just cruising down the road feels about the same to me as it did without them. Maybe slightly stiffer feeling but certainly not dramatic.

Unloaded, no difference. I like them.

[Cummins12V98]

I ran 5psi unloaded in my PacBrake bags, the ride difference solo was NOT noticeable. Loaded they smoothed out the bumps!

[n0arp]

Dayle1 wrote:

6.7 tow rig wrote:
So you are happy with the way the bags feel loaded then? That was my concern. What about unloaded?

Unloaded, with minimum psi (15 psi I think) you won't know they are on the truck.

Absolutely not true. I ran my Air Lift 5000 Ultimates at 5psi most of the time, and definitely knew they were there.

[wilber1]

With Timbrens I didn't notice much difference in ride when loaded. I had them on the truck for several years. Guess it just depends on individual circumstances.

[GeoBoy]

tinner12002 wrote:
X2 on the timbrens being junk. They make the truck ride like its bottomed out when loaded...very harsh ride!! Yes they were adjusted correctly. Went with air bags and haven't looked back!

I don't believe Timbrens are junk, they just didn't work for your application.

[C_Schomer]

I have airbags with a homemade expansion tank, air adjust Rancho shocks and in-cab control for both. I could feel the bags unloaded, slightly, so I added the exp. tank and that made them absolutely undetectable. The adjustable shocks make every bit as much improvement as the bags... They compliment each other very well. I adjust the bags for the load and the road condition and with the shocks I have full control of the sharpness and oscillation. I also cut the ends off the bottom overloads which was the first thing I did. I spent a LOT of time on my suspension but I don't know if my recipe will work for every truck. I made one change at a time til I got mine perfect. You might need to experiment a little cuz every truck and load is different. Craig

[Dayle1]

6.7 tow rig wrote:
So you are happy with the way the bags feel loaded then? That was my concern. What about unloaded?

Unloaded, with minimum psi (15 psi I think) you won't know they are on the truck.

[cummins2014]

6.7 tow rig wrote:
So you are happy with the way the bags feel loaded then? That was my concern. What about unloaded?

Never felt a difference with or without airbags unloaded, but a much improved ride loaded. Have had two different trucks, and both were the same with airbags as far as ride.

[6_7_tow_rig]

So you are happy with the way the bags feel loaded then? That was my concern. What about unloaded?

[tinner12002]

X2 on the timbrens being junk. They make the truck ride like its bottomed out when loaded...very harsh ride!! Yes they were adjusted correctly. Went with air bags and haven't looked back!

[6_7_tow_rig]

I tried Timbrens and unloaded there is no difference because they aren't in contact with anything. Loaded, the ride was atrocious. Every single bump whether it was big or small was jarring. It was so bad that on the way to Myrtle Beach, which was the first trip using them, I removed them in a gas station parking lot because I couldn't take it. Don't waste your money. I want to try airbags but am worried the ride will be like the timbrens.

[wilber1]

I had Timbrens on my previous truck. No difference in unloaded ride as they aren't contacting the axles. Loaded they helped with leveling and stability but didn't do anything to improve the ride.

[n0arp]

JTrac wrote:
I've had all 3. Had the Timbrens on a 2012 GMC 3500 srw and the ride with a Demco Glide Ride pin box was pretty bad, especially the chucking. Changed them out for some Air Lift air bags which helped greatly, even the empty ride. When we got the dually I transferred the bags to the new truck and ordered a Trailer Saver BD3 air ride hitch. For the most part I feel no movement from the fifth wheel. The really bad stuff I can feel but not near what it was before the BD3.

deltabravo wrote:
Torklift Stableloads.

I had Stableloads and air bags (Air Lift 5000 Ultimate) both on my 2500HD. Air bags made the unloaded ride notably worse. Stableloads made it unbearable. Fortunately for most (not me, because my toolbox and hitch put too much weight on them to disengage), you can disengage the StableLoads when not in use. Air bags INCREASED body roll when towing. StableLoads fixed that. Probably not an issue with a dually, but there you have it.

BD3 is amazing. I'll never go back to a fixed hitch. If you want the ultimate ride, go with a Kelderman and a BD3. Otherwise get the BD3 unless your factory suspension is unable to support the load.

[Strabo]

No bags, stock F350 with overload spring, new shocks..Cooper STT Pro tires. Works fine.

Heavy truck tho.