It seems that the springs on my '11 F250 are softer (for ride quality?) than either my '93 or '01.

My 3-horse trailer (GW ~7000#) causes the rear end to sag in a way that neither previous truck did. I have a 6-horse gooseneck that rides closer to level, but again not like it did on my '93.

We haul horses quite a bit through the summer, less so in the winter. I want to beef-up the suspension this winter. A few folks told me "air bags". A local parts/trailer shop talked up "Timbrens".

I'd appreciate opinions. Thanks.

 

Timbrens are nice, but airbags will give you much more adjustability. You can adjust ride height on a whim with the airbags by adding or releasing air pressure. With Timbrens you are stuck with the truck still sagging to a point before they pick up the load.

 

From the info I've read on the Timbrens is that they should contact at about 1/2" drop and are progressive from there. They also preserve the unloaded ride quality.

They are attractive to me as I should be able to easily install them myself.



Any reco's for airbag brand?

 

The best ride I ever received from a set of Timbrens was on my '78 F250. When empty, there was about 2 in of clearance between the Timbren and the axle bump stop. The empty ride was factory. It took about 500 lbs to get the truck to start contacting the Timbrens. Then they were indeed progressive. The reason I bought them was to stabilize my 11 1/2 foot cabover camper. WOW! Big difference. Very ez to install.

Flash forward 25 years to 2010 and a '07 3/4 ton Chev. Once installed on this truck, the Timbrens were only about 3/4" from the bump stops. Every little manhole, bridge abutement, expansion joint, etc., the rear end would kick you in the seat of the pants after the initial bump. Very uncomfortable empty ride. Hated it! Once the Timbrens were loaded, no issues. Very capable product. Again, very ez install.

I had a set of air bags on an '05 Chevy that were on it when I bought it. They were nice. Don't know the brand. Had a valve stem fitting on each corner of the rear bumper to fill them. A little crude, but functional. If I were going for a suspension supplement I would go air bags. Lot's of options out there.

Google Air Ride Suspensions or Firestone Air Bags.

Good luck.

 

Epiccowlick did a neat video install of an airbag system.

If you wish to level the truck under load and enjoy a smooth ride unloaded, "Trucks" on Spike TV channel just had an episode on installing the Firestone R4Tech system:

Firestones R4Tech is a patented hybrid air over leaf suspension that provides the ride quality of a full-air suspension, the axle control of a leaf spring and the ease of installation of a standard leaf spring and Ride-Rite Kit.

I looked it up 'cause I thought i'd be around $5K, but it's under $2200. The nice part (besides the smooth ride) is that it's all automatic with ride height sensor controlling the pressure to the bags for your various loads - and it's all bolt-on!

Anyone with thoughts or experience with this system?