I want to keep off the overload springs when running down the highway. I have a TT with a 1250 lb Tongue weight and sometimes add a 500 lb ATV in the bed. See my sig for truck detail.

Any thoughts on ride quality between the Timbrens or Firestone air-rites.

I'm hedging towards the Timbrens but not sure whether the 6000lb or 9000lb ones will keep me off the overloads being the truck drops an inch before they even make contact.

Any thoughts?

 

I have Timbrens and really like them. Easy install and no maintenance. They need about 1 inch clearance empty. I haul a slide-in camper (1900 lbs.) and the ride is great, and the truck handles better with them. If you are running empty and hit a big bump, they do make contact with the axles.

 

If you want your suspension to keep it's ability to articulate, then you can ONLY go with the Timbrens. The Airbags will tie everything to the frame and you will lose all of yoru articulation. If all you do is go down the highway towing heavy, then the airbags would be best.

 

Where did you hear that BS? Craig

 

I have Ride-rites on my truck and articulation is limited but it tows **** nice! Next for the rear is a sway bar!

 

If you are referring to me, then the answer would be first from Don Thuren, second from 4 members on this board who have done air and Timbrens, and third from the common sense realization that follows after you see how the systems work.

If you aren't referring to me, then I cannot help you.

 

I don't know what those guys are doing with their trucks but I haven't had any trouble at all. I even put a little air to them when they were off the truck and they extended to 10". That's a more than I've needed. Craig

 

If you want your suspension to keep it's ability to articulate, then you can ONLY go with the Timbrens. The Airbags will tie everything to the frame and you will lose all of yoru articulation. If all you do is go down the highway towing heavy, then the airbags would be best.'
__________________THIS IS NOT CORRECT

SORTA... IF you use airbags with the 'levelator' valve the system will keep you stiff ...IF you just use manual control you can let the pressure down when running 'LIGHT' and use your reg suspension...I have hauled with both and MY HUMBLE OPINION... I would rather be sitting in a pillow (of air) than a BRICK(of rubber) or biscuits as they are called in heavy hauling business

 

Anytime you go and put a device on that makes the rear suspension more rigid to handle heavier loads of course you will lose some suspension travel/articulation.....BUT THATS WHY YOUR DOING IT IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!

I have ran Timbrens and a friend runs Air bags. I will say that the Air Bags are probably a better choice. The Air bag is fully adjustable with pressure. The Timbren is kind of locked into one state. When empty the Timbren is a rougher ride but more stable. With the Air Bag you can deflate them when running empty to retain your stock ride.
Both are not too far apart on price. If I had it to do over I would buy air bags.

Both are good products though!

 

With as light a load as you run, I'd go with the Timbrens....

BUT, you mentioned you want to be off the factory overload, and if you don't get rid of the factory overload you WILL be on them regardless. Bags,Timbrens, whatever, the facory overload starts to ramp up the rear spring rate about an inch into the travel.

Whatever you do, you should look at getting some overload replacement mini-packs as these are KEY to balancing the feel of the suspension. If you don't loose the overload, the spring rate ramps up to a CRAZY rate almost instanly, and this rate is usually higher than the Timbren/bag with low pressure.

Also, it's not hard to make a quick disconnect setup for the timbrens, and you can also choose some more "squishy" bumpers if you like from them.

I really don't like airbags, as they will increase the spring rate no matter how much pressure you have in them since they have such a small static volume, and my trucks get set up to run good in the rough. If you mostly tow with the truck, bags are great. Also, most of the ones I've seen will limit droop as the installed height is fairly close to the max height.

For a good empty ride you need a nice linear rate, and most airbag setups ramp up too fast for my personal taste..

My truck will have quick disconnect light rate Timbrens very soon..

The ultimate setup is building a seperate bump/arm which an airbag is attached to, and have this bump/arm come down and rest on the axle when you pump it up. When deflated, a return spring will suck the bag up out of the way... Future project...

-Don

 

If any of you guys have installed your Ride-rites yourself you would know this to be a VERY true statement. I did my install with the truck on a 2 post lift which lets the axles droop to the basically end of the shocks travel. The bags could not be mounted up till I lowered the truck onto the ground, the mounting flanges were at least 2-3 " away from the bag. In the instructions even for the bags it tells you if your going to lift the vehicle on a rack that allows the axles to droop take all the air out of them and be careful you done pull the bladders out of them in the process.
Also it is my experince that no matter what the pressure in the bags they do stiffen up the ride.
IMO if your not getting crazy with the truck and you just want to support the weight, bags are it.

 

It does NOT matter is you run the base deflated or inflated, you STILL LOSE MOST OF YORU ARTICULATION. When you deflate the bags, they do not magically disappear; that would be th eonly wa to get the articulation back. They tie the frame to the suspension thereby MANDATING a loss of articulation. Like someone said, this is (in some ways) EXACTLY why you bought them in the first place. Because Timbrens do NOT tie the suspension to the frame, you retain your articulation.

When you stop and think about it, it's not even worth debating.

 

I have timbrens and like them but my truck has a constant load on it. If you have a constant load timbrens are the way to go and if you have a varying load air bags would be better. just my 2 cents.

 

I agree and thats why I added a reservoir to my airbag system. Makes quite a difference.

 

SHHHHHHH!!!! Don! Don't tell anyone our secrets!