Nose High Montana

[Wiesehan]

I have installed some Timberns to keep the truck from squatting when hooked to the coach and I accomplished my goal. Truck sits almost level and rides better when hooked up, however coach is now nose high (about one bubble). I don't think adjusting hitch will work because I will not have enough clearance between coach and truck. Any other ideas are welcome.
Thanks,
Don

[H. John Kohl]

That is how I have had to tow since 03.

[pineranch]

Some times in life, we must learn to live with things we would rather not.
Mike

[DQDick]

Can't see that being a major problem for you. With the new trucks having rails much higher than the old we are all having to find ways to deal with that problem.

[1retired06]

I would not worry about it.

[exav8tr]

I was told by Mor-Ryde and two other suspension shops, that by towing nose high you put more stress on the rear wheels of the trailer. As a former pilot, I recognized early in my career how important it was to keep the center of gravity (CG), in the center of the aircraft, or at least where the aircraft manual said the CG was. Now, I think we can all agree with that, the question is how much stress does that involve?? I had the Mor-Ryde independent suspension installed and the one thing I was suprised at was how much emphasis they put on the rig being level. They actually measured the front and rear trailer to ground distances as the trailer sat on my truck. When they finished with the install the difference was LESS than one inch between the front and rear. My suggestion, and only MY suggestion, is to rotate the trailer tires front to back every so often. How often is your choice I guess, but you would even out the stress over the years. Maybe I am off base here because I never had to do that.

[richfaa]

quote:Originally posted by exav8tr

I was told by Mor-Ryde and two other suspension shops, that by towing nose high you put more stress on the rear wheels of the trailer. As a former pilot, I recognized early in my career how important it was to keep the center of gravity (CG), in the center of the aircraft, or at least where the aircraft manual said the CG was. Now, I think we can all agree with that, the question is how much stress does that involve?? I had the Mor-Ryde independent suspension installed and the one thing I was suprised at was how much emphasis they put on the rig being level. They actually measured the front and rear trailer to ground distances as the trailer sat on my truck. When they finished with the install the difference was LESS than one inch between the front and rear. My suggestion, and only MY suggestion, is to rotate the trailer tires front to back every so often. How often is your choice I guess, but you would even out the stress over the years. Maybe I am off base here because I never had to do that.

Had the same thing done at Mor Ryde on my 06 3400 and they said and did the same thing. They placed great emphasis on then rig being level.

[Illini Trekker]

Dont know how stuck on the timber you are, I Installed air bag and I'm happy with them. They give me infinet heights of adjustment and a ride that isn't much different than stock.

[steelpony5555]

Not sure why you have the Timbrens. A 4x4 Dodge 3500 should not squat that much at least not enough to make a difference. My truck rides level with the trailer on. But as was said the air bags would allow you to level the truck with the trailer. The Tembrens evidently have the rear of your truck raised up in the air to push the front of the trailer up in the air. For the truck to hunker down an inch or 2 is not a bad thing if it is not dragging butt.

[DQDick]

Going in for IS before the Rally, glad to hear they are concerned and will set the rig up right.

[Exnavydiver]

If the Timbrens are installed properly they should not even come into use till the rig is on the truck. Mine didnt raise the truck at all, but just stiffened up the response to a bounce with the rig. It took some of the stress off the springs on those rough Indiana and Illinois roads..

[Wiesehan]

That is correct, they don't come into play until truck is loaded. I have had them on all of my trucks and really like how they change the ride when loaded, they are staying on!!
Don

[DQDick]

We put air bags on our Dodge when we had it weighed and the rig was shifting 110# off of the front axle of the truck. Is that enough to be worried about, probably not but it's not an issue anymore.

[CountryGuy]

The Dodge Ram 3500 DRW has GVWR of 12300lbs. That said , my pinweight is 3400lbs. I was at 12500 GVWR and was squatting quite a bit. I went down 3 inches when hooked up. I added the Timbrens and now I go down 1.5 inches and the truck is perfectly level.

Have not towed with the Timbrens, but doing reserch I did not find any negatives. My Montana sits nose high now too.

I will post a picture later before I added the Timbrens and you will be able to see the excessive squat. I do know that the Fords and GMs have a higher GVWR. I believe over 13000lbs.

The picture is also at the top of Carol's blog, Reflections From the Fence. I will still have Carol resize that photo so it can be posted here later.

[CountryGuy]

I thought about going with the airbags but it ended up being a cost factor amoung other considerations.

The cost of the airbags was around $300. Then there was the onboard compressor at over $400. To install all this broght the cost to $1000 and some change. My cost on the Timbrens was $237 with shipping included from Amazon. I was able to install them myself under 1 hour - really easy.

Timbrens do not puncture or wear out like airbags can. Airbags can sometimes be torn if not unbolted before lifting the truck from the frame on a hoist if all the air is not let out. No airlines to leak or break and no compressors to go bad with the Timbrens.The ride is not affected when unloaded. The Timbren company is also well known for their customer support. They will send you different springs and spacers to make your situation work.They have a money back guanantee if you are not satisfied.

There is only one negative that I can think of with the Timbrens - You can't adjust them. That is not a problem with my setup since I am not hauling multiple trailers with different pin weights. I would think that the hot shot haulers would prefer airbags.

Quality of the ride is a subjective thing. Postings from the internet give a thumbs up in ride quality to the Timbrens from those who have used both. Some say that airbags even give a little harsher ride with the required 5 lbs of air unloaded.

Time will tell if I will like these as much as I think I will since I have not pulled with them yet.

[jsmitfl]

Make sure you got the right Timbrens when you ordered them. They make a set for your truck also that is for super heavy hauling. Like having weight on them all the time. Good luck. I had bags on the other truck and put Timbrens on this one and love them. No fuss, just load and go.

[HOOK]

All towables are designed to ride level, especially 5ers. Ours rides very well at level with no helpers of any kind on our 06 Chev 3500 dually. It squats very little and rides better than unloaded. Larry

[pineranch]

What Larry said and X2 with the F350 dually. Needed to use bags with the F250 to keep it level.
Mike