Dumped Timbren SES, Installed Air Ride 1000

Folks I wanted to share my experience in hopes it helps someone.
I carry a 500 lb snowmobile in the bed sometimes and sometimes I tow a snowmobile trailer, the sag is awful and the stability loaded is terrible. I installed the Timbren SES and the stability was incredible but the ride was brutal, my passenger cant even fall asleep. The rubber in them is rock hard and the contact with the axle even unloaded is like bottoming out.

I switched to Airride based on a video recommendation shared here and have to say they are amazing, basicly the truck is cured. Ride is better than stock with 5psi, stability is amazing and ride height is fully adjustable.

 

Good info. How is the ride unloaded vs loaded?

 

at 5 PSI unloaded the ride is better than stock. In my view the suspension engineers should be fired. on my 1794 its soft and wallowy on the highway like a 1970's Cadillac and harsh over impact. The worst shocks 'Ive felt on a stock pickup (ive had 7) the air bags help the dampers

 

Stimleck, I was able to get some new rubbers and installed them the other day. They are quite a bit softer than the first set. The ride unloaded was actually better which made me happy! Will be taking the trailer out at the end of the month and hope to have a good result. My WDH did a good job of eliminating most of the sag before, I am hoping for a level ride with these Timbrens.

 

I also had some softer rubbers added because I live just down the street so I was able to go there. The softer rubbers were better but not even close to the air bags

 

Thanks for the head's up! Good to know, I will keep this and consider the bags if these Timbren's don't cut it.

 

Thanks for sharing your experience, Stimleck.

PBNB, I’d also appreciate hearing your thoughts once you’ve pulled your trailer with the softer rubber ones installed. I’m considering the Timbren SES for my 2023 Tundra hybrid Limited TRD Off Road with 6.5’ bed (to be delivered in a month or so) as I’ll be pulling a 28’ Bigfoot trailer. Thanks.

 

Link to the bags?

 

I'll be watching this thread as well. I've got a 2022 TRD OR 6.5' bed and tow a 23' trailer (tongue weight is apprx 600 lbs) and even with the weight distribution hitch I sag about 1.5-2". I was originally thinking of going with the Timbrens but now thinking maybe the air bags are a better bet. I certainly don't want to sacrifice a half decent ride when I am unloaded so air bags may be the way to go.

 

My reason for adding the Timbren’s was more for the levelling aspect. I know that my WDH can level out my setup but I have added a front levelling kit so I am hoping to keep it level with the trailer connected. Should know how it works next week.

 

First thing y’all need to do for loads in the bed are stiffer springs, then airbags. Airbags help level but they should always be supplemented with proper springs for the load, especially if you’re lifted/ leveled up front

 

So after our last trip, I am going to pull out the Timbrens. The WDH wasn't very smooth and the truck was very stiff and bumpy over road transitions. The Tundra did much better with just the WDH in the past. Even driving around with the softer compound is still harsh but not as bad as the hard rubber stops I originally got.

It may be that we aren't putting enough load on these to actually make them work. With a tongue weight of 500 lbs we are only putting 250 lbs on each bump stop that are designed for much more. I will try the next trip with just WD and should get a nicer ride.

 

Which bags did you buy, I'm having trouble locating Airride 500lb bags.

 

I appreciate your update. I will hold off getting the Timbrens until I have some road time pulling my trailer. I’ll focus on proper WDH setup and go from there.

 

Ray D, No Problem, I have been fighting to make these work but the ride has been in the toilet with them. The truck has a pretty good suspension otherwise.

 

Which model of air ride 1000 will work? I went to the website and it only list the air ride 5000 as an option. Also, what spring should be used? I have a stock trd offfroad with an eaz 1000 lb wdh. 800 lb tongue weight

 

I have used Timbrens on 4 vehicles so far (Taco, F-350, Excursion and a 1st Gen Tundra) and love them. Unloaded the ride quality seems perfect and then when I do load, it is typically to the max hauling shingles from the store or to the landfill, or hauling a heavy trailer. Where I have hated them is if my bed is empty and I am driving around with a WDH that sticks too far out. That seems to cause some wheel hop. Anyone selling a set of used Timbrens?

 

I'm still considering buying rear bump stops that'll be effective when towing my 7000 lb travel trailer with my Limited TRD Off Road with factory suspension. Is anyone using the Icon Vehicle Dynamics bump stops or Perry Parts bump stops with factory suspension for towing? If so, are you happy with them? Are these geared more towards 4X4ing than towing?

 

So I took my Timbrens out yesterday and put the little OE bump stops back in. I could put them back in for towing but for driving around unloaded, they are too bumpy!

 

Airbags are springs, this makes no sense. Airbags however, should be accompanied by properly damped shocks, higher spring rate (which is what you get when you pump air bags up) requires more dampening for good ride quality and control.

 

I was saying don't jump straight to bags, they are a bandaid in this application and go to better/ stiffer springs first and upgraded shocks, then add the bags