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11-07-2012, 04:01 PM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: La Center
Posts: 107
M.O.C. #12628
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Air Bags vs. Timbren
Sure there's some valued feedback and discussion on which is better Air Bags versus Timbren's? I have a brand new 2012 F350 Super Duty and with the Reese 5th Wheel hitch frame brackets that are mounted where the Firestone Air Bags would be attached presents a small problem for attaching. So how good are the Timbren in lessening the amount of drop when my 5th wheel is hooked up. The Timbren are basically maintenence free compared to the air bags system? What's the good & bad between the two brands.
Thanks
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11-07-2012, 05:13 PM
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#2
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: milton
Posts: 55
M.O.C. #5555
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Ihave 2500 HD chevy and a tow a 37 ft fifth wheel and i have temermns on my truck and love the temermans I would not TOW without them
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11-07-2012, 05:46 PM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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I've heard they're very good, but we use air bags on ours.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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11-07-2012, 05:52 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Washington Coast
Posts: 2,688
M.O.C. #10696
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I had Firestone airbags on my F350 ,loved them! $600.00 installed I never did any maintenence to mine i did not know they needed any
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11-07-2012, 10:49 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Waterford
Posts: 3,693
M.O.C. #7500
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I can't speak to the Timbrens, but I do have the Firestone airbags. They were easy to install, not counting the air compressor, and I like being able to control the amount of air for the weight of the trailer and/or load. If I was doing it over again, I would just get the airbags and gage, and forget about the on board compressor as it takes FOREVER to inflate the bags.
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11-07-2012, 11:24 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Hixson
Posts: 3,436
M.O.C. #11397
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I had the Firestone bags and operated them off the compressor/tank that came with the PacBrake. They worked very well until one developed a leak. Replaced them with Timbrens and like them too! Do you really need either one on the 350?
__________________
2018.5 Montana 3791RD
Full Timers 9/1/2010 through 1/16/2020.
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11-08-2012, 12:04 AM
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#7
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Claypool
Posts: 279
M.O.C. #9711
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I have had Timbrens on my last four trucks and wouldn't consider anything else. They do what they are intended to do keep the truck level and require no adjustment or maintenance and they are easy to install.
Donm
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SOB Curt 25 K 5th wheel hitch
2012 Ram 3500 DRW Laramie Long Horn
RDS 60 gallon fuel tank, air lift air bags
Wheel to wheel SS side bars
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11-08-2012, 12:11 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Posts: 2,710
M.O.C. #7992
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I have timbrems on my 09 Dodge 2500. Low cost, zero maintenance, and eliminated the squat factor. Does not effect the unloaded ride. You have to get the correct one for your needs. The support people at Timbrens are very helpful. Never had air bags so I can't compare. Owning a 5'er anything I can make zero maintenance is good. Jim
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2006 3000RK
2009 Ram 2500
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11-08-2012, 01:27 AM
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#9
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: North Port
Posts: 271
M.O.C. #10954
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I like the airbags and wireless air compressor myself. We can adjust the ride for the load. I have the 2011 F350 Super Duty and have some pics of the install.
http://5thwheeladventures.com/airbags.html
Enjoy. Hope that helps ya.
Ren
__________________
2021 Montana 3121RL w/ Cobalt Paint
2019 F-450 w/ airbags and 25k BW Companion
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11-08-2012, 09:35 AM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: merced
Posts: 983
M.O.C. #6171
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I have used air bags on the last two trucks and live them. Adjust for the load. Never needed any maintaince, I'm sure they could get a leak one of theses days But the first set went 10 years till I sold the truck and the new ones or going on 6 years. Like i said I like to be ble to fine tune the ride.
Mark
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11-08-2012, 09:45 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Navarre
Posts: 1,527
M.O.C. #9765
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REN,
Sent you a PM.
Mike
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11-08-2012, 11:50 AM
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#12
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Established Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Prairieville
Posts: 29
M.O.C. #11656
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Installed Tembrens and love them. Unloaded ride is virtually unaffected and loaded is greatly improved. Never had air bags so can't compare.
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11-08-2012, 01:36 PM
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#13
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: North Port
Posts: 271
M.O.C. #10954
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PM'ed you back Pineranch!
__________________
2021 Montana 3121RL w/ Cobalt Paint
2019 F-450 w/ airbags and 25k BW Companion
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11-08-2012, 04:23 PM
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#14
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: La Center
Posts: 107
M.O.C. #12628
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Feed back appreciated kinda what I expected, those with the air bags like the ability to adjust when needed and to the height, while those with Timbrens there a no hassle system.
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11-09-2012, 02:04 AM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: K.C.
Posts: 11,731
M.O.C. #5980
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I had /have Timbrens, my truck is always loaded down, in the Summer, loaded with HVAC tools, 2 toolboxes and a Fiberglass ladder with the ladder racks, the Timbrens are 'Loaded' then. the truck really rides rough, as the Timbrens don't give any, as they are designed. I finally went to a spring shop and consulted with them on my issue, as in the winter, I haul the 5th wheel, still have tools, hitch and toolbox when camped and unhooked.
They installed overload springs, now my Timbrens are 'Unloaded' and I have the support for the 5th wheel, no sag in the rear, rides great when not hooked up. That is the answer for me, my Timbrens are still there, but don't touch, or 'Load' unless I really get a heavy load hooked up, (Like a Skid-steer, or Backhoe.)
I loved the Timbrens when I didn't have so much weight in the truck, but the truck rode better loaded, when I had air-bags on a previous truck.
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11-09-2012, 02:47 PM
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#16
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Established Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Howard
Posts: 26
M.O.C. #11875
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I just installed a set of Timbrens. Towed the 5er 300+ miles. Worked and rode great. Huge difference. I bought because of the low maintenance issue. I'M A child of the muscle car era and air shocks. They sure were a pain to keep the 5 pounds minimum when the L50's were off during the winter.
A satisfied Timbren user. NO PORPOISING.
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11-09-2012, 05:34 PM
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#17
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Savannah
Posts: 270
M.O.C. #7253
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I had Timbrens on my 2006 King Ranch. My wife liked the ride of my 2011 King Ranch much better than the 2006. Then I bought and installed Timbrens on it and she began complaining about the ride when running with no load in the bed. It didn't dawn on me at first that it was the Timbrens. I bought and installed Firestone air bags and my wife liked the ride of the truck once again. I later bought a wireless compressor and mounted it above my spare tire. I really love the ability to effortlessly control the air bag pressure to tune it to different load conditions. I have a virtually new set of Timbrens for a 2011 F-250 that I will never use again. Anybody want to mess up your unloaded ride and make me an offer on them?
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11-09-2012, 11:43 PM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Posts: 2,710
M.O.C. #7992
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Dave, I had the same concern when I installed mine. In talking to the Timbren people they suggested I not use the spacer. That kept the timbren off the axle except when the bed was loaded. The only time I bottom out when empty is if I hit a pretty good size chuck hole. Other then that no effect on the unloaded ride. Jim
Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Dave Nowlin
I had Timbrens on my 2006 King Ranch. My wife liked the ride of my 2011 King Ranch much better than the 2006. Then I bought and installed Timbrens on it and she began complaining about the ride when running with no load in the bed. It didn't dawn on me at first that it was the Timbrens. I bought and installed Firestone air bags and my wife liked the ride of the truck once again. I later bought a wireless compressor and mounted it above my spare tire. I really love the ability to effortlessly control the air bag pressure to tune it to different load conditions. I have a virtually new set of Timbrens for a 2011 F-250 that I will never use again. Anybody want to mess up your unloaded ride and make me an offer on them?
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__________________
2006 3000RK
2009 Ram 2500
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11-10-2012, 03:18 AM
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#19
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Bella Vista
Posts: 472
M.O.C. #12223
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"A satisfied Timbren user. NO PORPOISING."
I have a question on this, since I am thinking about Timbrens; Could the "no porpoising" be a problem concerning the Montana frame? I have read in other posts about stress (as well as cracks and breaks) on the frame. Could these problems be attributed to a ride being too stiff from Timbrens or some other form of level-up system?
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11-11-2012, 03:12 PM
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#20
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: La Center
Posts: 107
M.O.C. #12628
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Dave Nowlin
I had Timbrens on my 2006 King Ranch. My wife liked the ride of my 2011 King Ranch much better than the 2006. Then I bought and installed Timbrens on it and she began complaining about the ride when running with no load in the bed. It didn't dawn on me at first that it was the Timbrens. I bought and installed Firestone air bags and my wife liked the ride of the truck once again. I later bought a wireless compressor and mounted it above my spare tire. I really love the ability to effortlessly control the air bag pressure to tune it to different load conditions. I have a virtually new set of Timbrens for a 2011 F-250 that I will never use again. Anybody want to mess up your unloaded ride and make me an offer on them?
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I was of the understanding that there is no contact when the truck is unloaded. There is a 2 inch gap before the overload spring comes in contact so I would think there should be at leat 1" on the Timbren? Then again IM asking and trying to determine which system is better for my F350 Superduty pulling my 5ver. Thanks
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