LarryDeanJackson
New member
Air bags or trimbrens? Which are better.
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bags or trimbrens???
- Thread starter LarryDeanJackson
- Start date
Hopeless Diamond
Explorer
How much sag do you have? If you're not sagged too much, and not towing, Timbens may be a little better - less complex. With airbags you can level it based on load so you have more adaptability
You actually have three choices; Timbens, bags, or custom springs. If you keep the camper on all of the time you can choose any or even mix more than one. If you take the camper off for part of the year air bags will keep your ride good through adjusting. If you have more weight on one side than the other then air bags will adjust from side to side. A number of people put custom springs and air bags on for just that reason - they can adjust for the load of more water, etc. I have had Firestone air bags on a Tacoma for years without problem. With my 4 Wheel camper my 10 gal water heater, refrigerator, and cabinets are on the drivers side and I can balance for that. And in the winter when I pull off the camper I can let air out of the bags and get my lights pointing right without a lot of work. I just carry a foot long bike air pump to make any adjustments as needed on the road. Took me 2 hours to install the bags when I put them on and as simple as it gets-air in, air out to operate.
Mountainhound
Explorer
Bags, timbrens work if weight is always in truck otherwise they can be harsh. They are basically an extended bump stop. Bags are great set them to weight or no weight.
Ramon Disalvo
New member
Both the Timbren Suspension Enhancement System and Air Bag Helper Springs are great products. Which is better would come down to user preference. If you are looking for full control over the product and the adjustability factor than Air Bags are the one to choose. If you want something that is lower maintenance and has that set it and forget it benefit than Timbrens will be the winner. Whichever product you decide to go with will be a great choice. Both will add additional load support, protect your current springs and improve loaded ride comfort.
I found this video that shows what the Timbrens actually do. They behave quite differently than stock bump stops. Also keep in mind the Timbrens are progressive rate springs, while air bags are linear rate.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyZK3dcGCCo (the Timbren section of the video starts at 3m52s)
My thought is air bags are the better choice if the desired goal is to remove sag when loaded, while Timbrens are the better choice if the desired goal is to limit sag when loaded, and improve ride dynamics (with, or without, load). I'm leaning towards the Timbrens myself (my application is towing a small camper trailer - not a truck camper).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyZK3dcGCCo (the Timbren section of the video starts at 3m52s)
My thought is air bags are the better choice if the desired goal is to remove sag when loaded, while Timbrens are the better choice if the desired goal is to limit sag when loaded, and improve ride dynamics (with, or without, load). I'm leaning towards the Timbrens myself (my application is towing a small camper trailer - not a truck camper).
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Josh41
Adventurer
I have Timbrens on my Frontier for a slide in camper. When the camper is out, the Timbrens are not touching the frame, maybe on a large bump, I really don't notice them. When the camper is in, the rear drops about 1.5 inches to make the truck level (instead of rear high). I have no sway, rides nice and no complaints. I have about 800-900 loaded miles on highway and back roads without any complaints.
If I had to do it over again, I think I would do a leaf pack as I would like to lift the truck front and rear by about 2 inches. If I lift with shackles or AAL, the Timbrens will be too far from the frame to help. My 2C
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If I had to do it over again, I think I would do a leaf pack as I would like to lift the truck front and rear by about 2 inches. If I lift with shackles or AAL, the Timbrens will be too far from the frame to help. My 2C
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Josh41
Adventurer
Tell me more, please.
fireball
Explorer
Call timbren to discuss. They make spacers to bring the bag up or down. They recommended a spacer for my setup to keep the timbren close to the axle when unloaded. This makes he timbren engage immediately when loaded with the trailer and keeps the ride from being harsh when unloaded.
At this point Im still researching so this is just regurgitated info that I got directly from Timbren. Another fellow land cruiser owner who Tow's a heavy trailer also has his setup like this and is happy with the real world experience.
At this point Im still researching so this is just regurgitated info that I got directly from Timbren. Another fellow land cruiser owner who Tow's a heavy trailer also has his setup like this and is happy with the real world experience.
Overlanerd
Vagabond Outdoors
How much do the Timbrens limit up travel when off-road? Deciding whether to bag, Timbren, or add another leaf when the tire carrier goes on. Currently sitting fine with Dakars (extra leaf), 4wc, and plate rear bumper.