Timbrens or an air bag system

[snickers104]

Which one is preferred??

[chas111]

Firestone Ride-Rite.

[ALJO]

On this forum it is about 50/50. What truck do you have? For my RAM 1500 I choose Air-Lift 1000, those bags slip in easy when you remove the spring. It's about an 1 1/2 hours work.

[snickers104]

F350...diesel. I pull a 14000 lb 5th wheel

[ALJO]

Then get the Firestone Air-Bags, had them in the late 90's and was very happy with them.
They are also easy to install.

[bankedtime]

Timbrens, this is the second set, I have had over the years, simple, low cost. easy to install, no maintenance, can not get better

[snickers104]

If I put air bags on...where is a good place to mount the compressor?

[Jdmcla]

Just put bags on my chevy 3500 Dually. Mounted the compressor on the outboard side of the frame, near the rear driver side cab mount. If I could do it over, the only thing I'd change would be to get the wireless version. Less hassle with trying to figure out where to mount the gauge/panel, and wasn't real keen on drilling through the firewall but got over it pretty quick.

[Fire_Instructor]

Timbrens. Easy to install, no moving parts, no maintenance.

[RoadrunnerII]

Airlift air bags on our truck

RoadrunnerII

[estesbubba]

Nothing on my 3500 SRW but had Timbrens on my 2500 and loved them. They don’t change empty ride and no maintenance.

[TWP723]

snickers104, I have my Schrader valves coming out the back at the tag. I had the compressor on my old F250 mounted under the hood and mounted the switch on the left side of the dash at the knees. Didn't remount it on the F350. I just carry a small compressor now and sold the on-board unit. I have rarely found a reason to have to adjust them while traveling so the on-board compressor wasn't really necessary. Good luck!

[TWP723]

[DonaandDon]

I have Timbrens on my F-250. Nice level ride.

Air systems are like Murphy's Law.

It's not a matter of if it will fail, it's when.

[Redbaron32]

Just towed our new North Point 500 miles with Timbrens. Ride was great, no squat and no hassles of air pressure, etc. Install them and forget them... Took me 30 minutes to install.

[vcbice]

I have had both. Air bags on my old Tundra and Timbrens on my Dodge.

The Timbrens do change empty ride quality. When installed per instructions they sit about 1" above the axle, which means you have only that much travel before the Timbrens start working. If you pay attention to it you can feel when the axle gets to that point. It is not obvious unless you pay attention. FWIW, ride quality of HD trucks when empty is pretty bad anyway, so making it a little worse doesn't really matter much. Timbrens also allow some sag when the trailer is hooked up, just not as much as stock.

The air bags were nice, but, they could also be a PITA. The compressor is loud. Kinda like those ones you buy for inflating tires. Good thing is you only need to use it when you start out. When deflated you do have stock suspension feel. The bonus is you can inflate to put the truck back to stock level. Performance wise the air bags are best. FWIW, I would not get airbags without an on board compressor.

Installation of the TImbrens were simple. Unscrew bolts holding axle bump stops. Screw on Timbrens. I didn't even have to remove the wheels or jack up the truck. Took about 20 min.

Installation of the air bags was a bit more involved. The bags themselves were not as much an issue as mounting the air lines, compressor and the controls. That took over an hour by itself.

FWIW, there are a couple other choices out there for overload springs. Each have their strong and weak points.

[RipinSC]

On a 2500HD truck, did you install the standard or heavy duty Timbrens?

[Jagiven]

I have only had air bags, and I like them. I did not install a compressor. I tied the two lines together, this way they are always self leveling. I installed a single shredder valve port. I installed the port on the same bracket as my 7 pin connector. Very simple to use.

[vcbice]

I just used the std Timbrens, not the severe duty (for truck campers).

[skijlw]

I went with SuperSPrings. They work great, no air compressor and no effect on the truck ride when the truck is not towing. Had them for 3 years and the truck rides level and I never think about them.