2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Timbren ses verses Air Bags

[AWallace]

I read in the last issue of TDR about the Timbren SES Suspension and was wondering if anyone out there is useing them as an alternative to air bags. I have a 95 2500 and am carring a TC that weighs about 2000 lbs when loaded. I have the factory overloads but would like to at least level my truck up when traveling. Will they do it or not? I was going to put air bags on anyway but saw the write up about the Timbren's. I also have a 5th wheel with a hitch weight of about 1600 the trucks drops about a inch and a half with it. I am planning a long trip next summer and would like to take care of all this before I go. I called Big Moe and the sales cleck said he had rather have the Timbren's 2 to 1 but some time the public knows from experience.



95 2500 all stock but need a little more.

 

[Kiohio]

If you run loaded most of the time or always have weight in the bed.

Air bags will ride nicer.

If you run unloaded most of the time and occasionally load it up, the Timbrens are better. IF they are installer at the right height.

All of this is just my opinion, of course LOL.

Alot of guys like the Timbrens no matter what because you don't have to worry about air lines and holes etc. BUT yoiu have no adjustability. If they are touching, they are "on". Airbags have the adjustability on their side.

A Timbren equipped truck will be like a stock truck when not loaded if everything is set up right.

I had Timbrens on a 3rd gen.

When slighty loaded... ... . say 500lbs in the bed... . it made them about a 1/8 off the axle, not quite touching, but far enough off that when you hit a bump they would touch.

They will jar your teeth out when like that.

The nice thing about Timbrens, if you really want them off to sell or otherwise they come off real easy.

KO

 

[LandShark]

I took off my air bags and installed Timbrens a few years back. Wanted to try them to see if I could get more sway control with my camper loaded. I had much better sway control but the ride was so hard that I thought I would destroy the camper, so the air bags are back on.

 

[abranz]

On my 98 I tried Timbrens but the unloaded ride was very rough, much worse than my 93 1st gen. There is suppose to be an inch or so between the timbren and the axel but I only had about 1/4-1/2" so I felt every bump. I think they would be great for a rig which was loaded most of the time. Now I've purchased air bags and the adjustibility is good.

Anthony

 

[RJWEST]

Ditto, Timbrens will JAR your teeth loose when truck is empty...

 

[JStrasser]

I took off my air bags and installed Timbrens a few years back. Wanted to try them to see if I could get more sway control with my camper loaded. I had much better sway control but the ride was so hard that I thought I would destroy the camper, so the air bags are back on.

I went to Timbrens at all 4 corners to help carry and stabilize the truck with our Northstar camper in the bed.

I like the result in the front- stiffened it up just right.



On the rear axle it it a different story. Far too stiff- I have actually felt the camper bounce slightly off the bed when I hit an unseen hole or bump. The rear Timbrens act like a spring that is incredibly progressive (as they were designed, I imagine) since it does absorb small bumps well, but can really cause a SLAM when asked to absorb larger road irregularities.



I, too, am going back to air bags or perhaps "Supersprings"



John

 

[RJWEST]

jstrasser: I don't have Factory Overloads, installed super spring , sway bar & bilsteins

I still need a little more sway control, also the super spring is cranked up tight
VERY harsh ridding empty, and raises truck up quite high.

trying to find a set of OEM overload stops... may be a better solution.

 

[rwitt]

I've got the Timbrens on my truck and unloaded they are about 3/4" off the rear axle and I haven't noticed any difference in ride quality unless I hit a major bump and then it stiffens up. With my camper ( 04 AF990 5000lbs ) loaded the truck drops 2 3/4" and the sway control is much better than the air bags which I had on my last truck. Another nice feature with Timbrens is no maintenance, no air leaks, and no need to air up and down everytime you load or hitch up your camper or trailer. Air bags have their advantages as well, side to side leveling is one of them. Another improvement you can make is to install the overload bump stop extensions which will get your factory overloads engaged much sooner.

Rich

 

[CBeard]

I too read the article about the Timbrens. I am looking for something to help my front end when I put my snowplow on my truck. I have a Meyers ST-90 which I added 6" to each side. Anyone have any advise on the Timbrens vs Airbags for my application.



Thanks

Chris

 

[dnesbitt3]

I've been using Timbrens on my truck for the past 2 years. I installed them myself (easy job on my 2WD truck). No ride difference when empty - I have atleast an inch before they touch. I pull a 12K 5th wheel several times a year and I really like the way the Timbrens perform with a load. My hitch weight is about 2800 lbs and I did pull the trailer without the Timbrens twice. I've pulled the 5th wheel about 10K miles and I've put another 40K on the truck unloaded or pulling my bassboat. I'm very happy with my choice, I believe airbags would be the way to go if you run loaded alot.