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Old 11-07-2012, 04:01 PM   #1
F3fifty
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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.

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Old 11-07-2012, 05:13 PM   #2
rgn
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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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Old 11-07-2012, 05:46 PM   #3
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I've heard they're very good, but we use air bags on ours.
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Old 11-07-2012, 05:52 PM   #4
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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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Old 11-07-2012, 10:49 PM   #5
Tom S.
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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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Old 11-07-2012, 11:24 PM   #6
WeBeFulltime
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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?
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Old 11-08-2012, 12:04 AM   #7
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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.
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Old 11-08-2012, 12:11 AM   #8
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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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Old 11-08-2012, 01:27 AM   #9
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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
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Old 11-08-2012, 09:35 AM   #10
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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.
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Old 11-08-2012, 09:45 AM   #11
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REN,
Sent you a PM.
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Old 11-08-2012, 11:50 AM   #12
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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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Old 11-08-2012, 01:36 PM   #13
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PM'ed you back Pineranch!
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Old 11-08-2012, 04:23 PM   #14
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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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Old 11-09-2012, 02:04 AM   #15
Ozz
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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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Old 11-09-2012, 02:47 PM   #16
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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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Old 11-09-2012, 05:34 PM   #17
Dave Nowlin
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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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Old 11-09-2012, 11:43 PM   #18
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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
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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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Old 11-10-2012, 03:18 AM   #19
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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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Old 11-11-2012, 03:12 PM   #20
F3fifty
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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?
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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