Timbrens a rough ride for you?

rkymntsno · 05-08-2019, 08:43 AM

On our 2nd trip with our new Jayco. I'm questioning the Timbrens suspension enhancement now. It is truly a rougher ride than I was expecting. I'm wondering if they're gonna soften up over time which I guess would be a bad thing. Is there anyone out there that originally installed Timbrens and then switched to air bags? Jayco says pin weight is about 2500 lbs but when I weighed, was closer to 3000 lbs. You can tell the Timbrens are there to help. I just can't get over the rough ride.

SkyBound · 05-08-2019, 09:23 AM

Sometimes there are weight rating choices with Timbrens which would dictate the stiffness of the rubber material and therefore also the ride. Are yours rated for more than you're putting on them?

rkymntsno · 05-08-2019, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyBound

Sometimes there are weight rating choices with Timbrens which would dictate the stiffness of the rubber material and therefore also the ride. Are yours rated for more than you're putting on them?

8600 pound capacity on my Timbrens.

Dascro · 05-08-2019, 10:28 AM

Last summer I installed 8,000 lb rated Timbrens on my truck with the intent of improving stability and load handling while towing our fifth wheel. They accomplished both.

The unloaded ride is exactly like stock cause the Timbrens are not engaged. Loaded I didn’t notice the ride getting any “rougher”. I did notice improved handling and side-to-side stability.

Just another data point for you.

RipinSC · 05-08-2019, 02:07 PM

x2 the exact same on my truck. Well worth the money.

**norty1** · 05-08-2019, 02:36 PM

Me too! Not in play when not towing. Smooth when towing.

RedHorse1 · 05-08-2019, 03:13 PM

One more Timbren fan here. If you experience a rough ride when not towing I’d suspect the unloaded gap between the Timbren and axle is too small. I think I feel them bump when going over big bumps (like a speed bump). Otherwise there’s no ride change when unloaded. When I’m towing (3k# on the pin) it reduces the squat.

rkymntsno · 05-08-2019, 03:49 PM

I just got off the phone with Timbrens customer service. Seems like good people. Unloaded, they're not touching so that's not the issue. The issue is loaded. They said to take pictures of the timbrens loaded and unloaded and they can do some calculations and see if I need a "softer" timbrens. Gonna take care of all that when we get back to San Antonio. He was gonna try to send them out UPS but won't get here until after we leave. That's customer service. I like the timbrens cuz they take up most of any squat. From unloaded to loaded, truck squatted 1.5". But the problem might be if he gets me softer timbrens, it may squat more but provide a softer ride. So not sure about it.

Dargo · 05-08-2019, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkymntsno

I just got off the phone with Timbrens customer service. Seems like good people. Unloaded, they're not touching so that's not the issue. The issue is loaded. They said to take pictures of the timbrens loaded and unloaded and they can do some calculations and see if I need a "softer" timbrens. Gonna take care of all that when we get back to San Antonio. He was gonna try to send them out UPS but won't get here until after we leave. That's customer service. I like the timbrens cuz they take up most of any squat. From unloaded to loaded, truck squatted 1.5". But the problem might be if he gets me softer timbrens, it may squat more but provide a softer ride. So not sure about it.

Will follow this closely. Let me know, because if I have to much squat these were on the top of the list.

diver6 · 05-08-2019, 05:04 PM

I went with the SUMO spring cause I was afraid of the rough ride of the Timbrens and I love them. Same money I think.

rkymntsno · 05-08-2019, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dargo

Will follow this closely. Let me know, because if I have to much squat these were on the top of the list.

Will do. I think the weight specs for the 357 are just about the same as our 355.

Dargo · 05-08-2019, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkymntsno

Will do. I think the weight specs for the 357 are just about the same as our 355.

Yes, they should be very close. Pick up mine on Friday, can you tell I am excited?

rkymntsno · 05-08-2019, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dargo

Yes, they should be very close. Pick up mine on Friday, can you tell I am excited?

Yes, lol. We ordered ours beginning of February and got it about 8 weeks later, first week of April. Very happy so far.

Big1 · 05-08-2019, 11:56 PM

Sometimes I wish that I had went with the Timbrens but I'm too far in my Firestone airbag with the remote.

rkymntsno · 05-09-2019, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big1

Sometimes I wish that I had went with the Timbrens but I'm too far in my Firestone airbag with the remote.

I've had both but not on this truck. I had to put airbags on my 2016 Ram 1500 when I had the Open Range 34' tt. The Ram 1500 was so weak it couldn't support the 800 lbs hitch weight. I wasn't that impressed with the Airlift 5000 I put on it but it worked. So I wanted to try the timbrens cuz their ease of install and the reviews I read on them. Also their customer service is supposed to be good which I'm having to deal with and seems so. I will post updates as I continue the timbrens saga, lol.

garyp4951 · 05-09-2019, 08:00 AM

I had timbrens on one truck, and they did the job, but the loaded ride was terrible compared to my last two trucks with air bags.
Why would you want something that doesn't give after it makes contact with the bump stop?

rkymntsno · 05-09-2019, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garyp4951

I had timbrens on one truck, and they did the job, but the loaded ride was terrible compared to my last two trucks with air bags.
Why would you want something that doesn't give after it makes contact with the bump stop?

It does give under a load. And that's why they make different levels of give. I may not have the right level of give. I will work with customer service before I give up and put airbags on. Airbags have their own set of issues.

garyp4951 · 05-09-2019, 09:02 AM

I just like to be able to adjust the ride, and have had zero issues with air bags.
Maybe they can get you a different part number that works ok.

Big1 · 05-09-2019, 07:07 PM

I have airbag and don't mind them because I know how they work but at first it was a thorn in my side so since now I have them and have spent a large amount of money I will keep them.

Dargo · 05-09-2019, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkymntsno

It does give under a load. And that's why they make different levels of give. I may not have the right level of give. I will work with customer service before I give up and put airbags on. Airbags have their own set of issues.

When is your drive back? Sunday? Just wondering how the drive feels.

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