Timbren vs. Airbags - Page 2 - Diesel Forum

**Flywheel** · 07-24-2007, 02:27 AM

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barrelhorses · 07-24-2007, 06:45 AM

My Timbrens work great. I recommend them. I'm sure air bags would be nice too, but I don't have to adjust the Timbrens at all and the install was easy.

jschira · 07-24-2007, 03:41 PM

I have never had airbags, so I cannot comment on them.

I am on my second truck with Timbrens.

Love 'em.

Put them on my current truck (Dodge 2500) one night while the wife made dinner. Super easy.

No squat. (10k-11k bumper pull trailer).

No sway.

I even forgot for a while that I put them on.

Diesel Jay · 07-24-2007, 04:18 PM

Anybody running Timbrens on something heavier, like a F450-F550, with a dump bed?

I've got an older GMC 3500HD dump -- the ones with a SFA and a 15K GVWR. But, invariably, the quarry operators are always loading me heavier than that, which considerably flattens the rear springs onto the overloads and lightens the front end. I've looked into it, and Timbren does offer a rear axle kit for this truck that is rated to 10K. However, it's a $300 kit, and I'm not sure how well they will combat something like a heavily loaded dump bed.

Anybody with similar experiences?

- Jay

garysjames · 07-24-2007, 05:04 PM

The weekend has probably gone by that you wanted to add one or the other.
In my case, I installed airbags on 2000 F250 4WD after towing my 11K 5th wheel about 500 miles. It brought rear of truck back to level just fine. I run about 40-45 pounds with about 2380 pounds of pin weight. I am real happy with them but never had the Timbrens to compare with.
When not towing, you will be reminded in a hurry to lower the air pressure in the bags down to 3-5 pounds or loose your false teeth.
I placed the "seperate" air inlets in the bottom rail down from fuel tank entry.
Installtion took me about 2 hours on the drivers side and 45 minutes on the passenger side, it should have been a 1 1/2 to 2 hour job total.
I have had them on for a year with about 35,000 miles total driving and 20,000 miles of that has been towing.
Let us know what you installed.

Gary

reba · 07-25-2007, 06:49 PM

The reason I like airbags is that I can always run level.

Run a load add some air.

Need two inches more clearence, add some air.

I am sure the Timbren system works well for it's intended purpose.

RLDSL · 07-30-2007, 03:27 AM

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That Kelderman setup looks real nice, but I'd be scared to death to find out what it cost $$$

-----------Robert

JimTJr · 07-30-2007, 12:28 PM

[ QUOTE ]
The reason I like airbags is that I can always run level.

Run a load add some air.

Need two inches more clearence, add some air.

I am sure the Timbren system works well for it's intended purpose.

[/ QUOTE ]
What do you mean level, can you get level empty?
How much more level do you need to get? Like I mentioned above, this is with about 7k rear axle weight,,,(Not on the "PIN" as misconstrued above)[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Whats not level about that?

wingnut60 · 08-08-2007, 12:12 AM

I had the same set of AirLift bags on my '02 F250, then my '04 F350--after about 230-250k miles, one developed a slow leak. When I traded for the '07, I went with the Timbrens. They are a 'install-and-forget' deal. And the Timbrens work as good as the air bags did. So take your pick.

boukaal · 08-09-2007, 12:04 AM

I installed the Timbrens and took the new 5th wheel for a pull to Austin (4 hrs away) last weekend.

The Timbrens worked great. They have about an inch of clearance when empty and engaged as soon as I hitched up, but it still sits level.

The ride with a 13K 5er (loaded) in the F350 didn't feel much different than my 21' Nautique used to feel behind my '03 F250.

Alem

newbie_101 · 08-09-2007, 11:15 AM

Any Timbren owners carrying 4,000lbs cargo? I have a 5'er with a 4,000lb pin. I have airbags sitting in the garage but will require drilling through my hitch bracket. Timbrens might be an alternative.

JimTJr · 08-10-2007, 11:19 AM

I do not know what the actual pin weight was on my truck most loads, but I know I have been at the highest 9400 lbs on the rear axle, (empty trailer I THINK it was around...5200 on the drive) Not sure. (I KNOW, I was over on the drive by about 600 lbs,,, [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img]) This was for about 400 miles, and the truck set level, just like in this pic many have seen where I know the drive axle weight was in the neighborhood of about 7k

newbie_101 · 08-10-2007, 04:38 PM

Wow, that would put the pin in the neighbourhood of 5000lbs. I think I'll start looking at the timbrens.

01F350PSD4x4 · 08-12-2007, 01:56 AM

The Firestones are a joke. I put them on the 01 in sig in may and the right one is really close to the exhaust and spare tire. It' also keeps leaking some how. I've sprayed water everywhere looking for a leak but can't find it. Also, they were a pain in the ass to install. I would never buy a firestone product again. End of story!

toolpig · 08-12-2007, 05:51 PM

I have had air bags and timbrens and I will go with timbrens again if I ever need more capacity than the factory camper package provides.