Timbren Blocks vs Airbags

drservo · Oct 9, 2015

Which is better? Want to get rid of the sag pulling 14K 5th wheel camper.

Six_Sloww · Oct 9, 2015

Airbags are adjustable so you can tailor them to whatever you are towing and don't adversely affect unloaded ride quality.

Airbags get my vote every time.

austin229 · Oct 9, 2015

I have the air lift aircells on mine. They cost $160 and after installing the brackets the bumpstops can be removed and replaced in less than a minute

sledhead_24_7 · Oct 9, 2015

I would go with air bags. More versatile.

My dad put Timberins in his 13 F150 and every little bump in the road you felt it. The only give the suspension around 1/2" of travel before hitting. So rough roads you will feel every hit and it was not a smooth hit.

Ipkyss · Oct 9, 2015

Sumosprings airless air bags. Just like timbrens but you almost never notice them there unloaded. Much softer initially then a timbren then firm up fast. Support 3900lbs of pin weight just perfect for me.

superstroked90 · Oct 9, 2015

Is there a member on here that sells air bags?

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

WHY NOT · Oct 9, 2015

I'm sure there is a sponsor here who will be able to hook you up with a set of air bags. Bags get my vote too. I wouldn't do with out them.

Pstrke96 · Oct 10, 2015

Josh@diesel cartel offered for me when I was looking this spring my previous transactions with have been great

lincolnlocker · Oct 11, 2015

Six_Sloww said:
Airbags are adjustable so you can tailor them to whatever you are towing and don't adversely affect unloaded ride quality.

Airbags get my vote every time.

i have about 50k of unloaded miles on my firestone version of the timbrens and only issue i have is on gravel roads.. with 1 inch of travel before they hit, ride quality is not affected on pavement... love them..

im not a fan of airbags unless you dont travel much.. i have seen them blow and rip the side of the truck off.. but to each their own..

live life full throttle

Six_Sloww · Oct 11, 2015

lincolnlocker said:
im not a fan of airbags unless you dont travel much.. i have seen them blow and rip the side of the truck off.. but to each their own..

live life full throttle

Biggest trucks on the road that do the most miles have airbags and airbags only, don't buy cheap **** or over inflate and I doubt that's ever an issue.

lincolnlocker · Oct 11, 2015

Six_Sloww said:
Biggest trucks on the road that do the most miles have airbags and airbags only, don't buy cheap **** or over inflate and I doubt that's ever an issue.

i am talking about pickup trucks not even the same comparison....

live life full throttle

Six_Sloww · Oct 11, 2015

lincolnlocker said:
i am talking about pickup trucks not even the same comparison....

live life full throttle

My point is a quality airbag will last a very long time and support plenty of weight.

lincolnlocker · Oct 11, 2015

Six_Sloww said:
My point is a quality airbag will last a very long time and support plenty of weight.

oh i understand... but i have seen enough "quality" bags have issues.. i have traveled this country enough and seen enough for me to stay away from bags.. either add more leaf springs or go to the timbren style load support... no issues with either.. to each their own...

live life full throttle

Ipkyss · Oct 11, 2015

lincolnlocker said:
oh i understand... but i have seen enough "quality" bags have issues.. i have traveled this country enough and seen enough for me to stay away from bags.. either add more leaf springs or go to the timbren style load support... no issues with either.. to each their own...

live life full throttle

I agree. I tow too much weight. I would be stuck on the side of the road with an air bag failure. Everyone says tractor trailers run them. That has nothing to do with a pick up. If I was to use air bags it would not be with the half assed brackets that bolt around the factory bump stop. Which seems everyone does on these trucks. Air bags need good alignment for long life. And most big trucks only have about 5-6" max travel with limiting chains to not over extend them. And they fail often on big trucks. Just changed two on my log truck at 65k miles and 4 on my tractor at 120k miles. They are a wear item like brakes.

The sumospring timbren style set up was perfect for me. I drive on some horrible roads. Winter time I can often catch air off the frost heaves in the back roads. They feel perfect empty, with 3900lbs of pin weight or with only a car trailer. My biggest complaint with Timbrens was when you had something light in the bed. Like 500lbs. Just enough to make the truck sit on the timbren. The truck would ride like total crap. This is not the case with the sumosprings. Its truly an install and forget they are there kind of thing. They do the job with zero maintenance or adjustment

lincolnlocker · Oct 11, 2015

Ipkyss said:
I agree. I tow too much weight. I would be stuck on the side of the road with an air bag failure. Everyone says tractor trailers run them. That has nothing to do with a pick up. If I was to use air bags it would not be with the half assed brackets that bolt around the factory bump stop. Which seems everyone does on these trucks. Air bags need good alignment for long life. And most big trucks only have about 5-6" max travel with limiting chains to not over extend them. And they fail often on big trucks. Just changed two on my log truck at 65k miles and 4 on my tractor at 120k miles. They are a wear item like brakes.

The sumospring timbren style set up was perfect for me. I drive on some horrible roads. Winter time I can often catch air off the frost heaves in the back roads. They feel perfect empty, with 3900lbs of pin weight or with only a car trailer. My biggest complaint with Timbrens was when you had something light in the bed. Like 500lbs. Just enough to make the truck sit on the timbren. The truck would ride like total crap. This is not the case with the sumosprings. Its truly an install and forget they are there kind of thing. They do the job with zero maintenance or adjustment

right on.. i wondered how the sumosprings where... only reason i went with my firestone version is that i bought 2 replacement bumpers without purchasing the entire kit.. i have maybe 90 bucks in them including what i needed for install...

live life full throttle

lincolnlocker · Oct 11, 2015

here is what i did..

here is with a load on it.. i have 500lbs on the weight bracket and its about a foot and a half from touching the frame of the gooseneck.. sits dead level... i ran it with the cruise set at 85mph on the way back from midwest diesel & autos shop and not a single sway proplem..

live life full throttle

Ipkyss · Oct 11, 2015

If you call the factory you can get replacement sumosprings and the go right on the timbren plates. Already changed over a few of my trucks. Awesome people to deal with. Never tried the Firestone ones but they sound similar.

drservo · Oct 12, 2015

Thinking about going with the Airlifter 5000 Air springs

ToMang07 · Oct 12, 2015

Given I have an older truck, but I love my Airlift 5000 bags, they work great.

Breaking Habits · Oct 12, 2015

drservo said:
Thinking about going with the Airlifter 5000 Air springs

do the 5000 ultimate with the inside bump stop. Its the only thing I recommend to people. I've killed a firestone set before, but I've had 5 sets of 5000's with no failures