Do I need Air Bags?

[karynzoo]

I have a F250 short bed crew cab 6.0 diesel (2004), pulling a goosneck horse trailer 28' from nose to rear estimated full around 10k (I only pull one horse) I have Timbren's on my truck and although it isn't squatting like it was without them it still squats a bit and when I pull the trailer (especially empty) it really bounces my truck alot. I think some people have referred to it as porpoising. The stuff in my rear tack usually get's thrown about. When my horse is in the trailer it's much better. I only get the backlash when I go over roads with those expansion joints that are closer together. I'm going to have my trailer checked out (brakes, suspension and drop on neck) but I think it's really the truck. I run the neck a little high (about 2-3" high from level). Would airbags really improve the ride from the Timbren's?

[X_Hemi_Guy]

Does your truck have the 'overload' spring?...I'm not sure if all F250's came with that or only the ones prepped for the 'camper' option?

You say things are better with the horse on board...does the horse add more pin weight? if the trailer is tail heavy without the horse...that could be part of your issue.

You should have some squat with the trailer hitched up...that's why we carry springs...excessive squatting is telling you something...but your's doesn't sound like excessive squatting...it sounds more like a weight and balance issue.

I found for my Excursion...that a set of Bilstein shocks really dampened out the porposing...

Also if you wanted some additional rear spring capacity...you can check out Roadmaster Active Suspension (RAS)...it adds about 2000#'s of rear spring capacity which will assist with the squatting.

The Timbrens are basically contributing to your bounce (IMO)...they are an oversized rubber bumper that you are hitting...you need more spring capacity and that will assist with reducing the bounce...the reactions you are feeling is when the truck is bottoming out on the Timbrens and normal in my opinion for how you have it set up with the timbrens...but I also think the loading on your trailer (horse versus no horse) is contributing to this too...

To answer your direct question that I have yet to do...I would say air bags are a step up over Timbrens (IMO)...but don't discount looking into the RAS...the RAS is a truly passive system...once you set it up...it simply works when you need it...air bags require some small effort to air up when needed...

Good luck,
Joe.

[grafekie]

Airbags are definately nice. Try leveling the trailer first though

[StanleyZ]

If an empty trailer is pushing around your 250 I think you have a balance problem. Bumper pull stuff is a pita to pull but if that's what ya got that's what ya gotta pull. So,try getting more weight further forward in the trailer. too much weight behind the axle causes the fish tailing you describe. More weight forward should solve that. I've never towed livestock but the setup should be the same. Keep most of the weight forward and centered on or just ahead of the axles then put enough springs or air bags on the truck to keep everything level. Since it's a bumper pull it might be worth it for airbags. I bought firestone with an on board compressor and guage control in the cab. The whole works was around $500. Installation is fairly easy and they work wonderfully. You can get some after market overload springs from hellwig and they are about $200 and can be installed with hand tools. I'm not exactly sure about what the timbrens are but the air bags or overload springs will work quite well. But even with those on, a bumper pull must be balanced or it will rock your world all day.

[grafekie]

Its already a gooseneck.

Overloads will do that: they tend to overreact and act like stiffer suspension rather than a soft ride. Airbags will compensate and act more like really good shocks.

[bunklash]

I've heard that Timbrens ca do what you describe, but before you spend money, for sure level the trailer. Front-end high puts more weight to the rear and that will cause problems, and is hard on the rear axel. Did you use this truck to tow before you put on the Timbrens? how did it do then? My guess would be 10,000 lbs should be easily handled by the stock suspension. That said, I love having air bags for towing our 13,000 lb 5er. Keep us posted please, and good luck with it.

[StanleyZ]

[quote=grafekie;7730703]Its already a gooseneck.


Wow, yeah, i see that now. My bad. With an empty goose neck you should have to look back to make sure it's still there. What kind of tires? If you have mushy tires nothing on the suspension will help. Check weight rating and make sure they are inflated to pressure on tire sidewall. (when cold) Really, that truck shouldn't need anything for a 10K lb goose neck. I would weigh it and make sure what the trailer weighs, loaded and unloaded, and especially what the rear axle weight is. Once you know that it might make a solution easier to find.

[rebocardo]

When I installed airbags it made a big difference when empty because I would deflate them to 20 or so psi and it would really soften the harsh bounce from an empty bed on my swb. I would inflate the bags to the amount of weight I was expecting to carry.

This requires a bit of responsibility since you can blow the bag from under inflation with a heavy load, but, it worked for me when towing cars just fine.

[X-70STANG-F150]

I was wondering about the trailer tires too. my TT can get pretty rough with max air pressure. I run about 55psi (max is 65psi on mine).

[grafekie]

With horse trailers its hard to run them lower when unloaded then pop them up another 30psi when loading, since you drive so many miles loaded and unloaded. Good idea for long trips though!