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When I was researching possibility for my F150 I found some guys that were using Timbrens towing 5th wheels that were right at max load. No one had anything bad to say about them and all did it to keep their loads level in instances where they were squatting without them and they worked for what they were trying to achieve...onF150s.
I'm going to be towing near max load with a 350 SRW and I'm planning on airbags if I find I squat loaded, which I believe I will based in the reports from others with the configuration I ordered.
Good questions Justin. We need a lot more info to make constructive suggestions.
Carl, try your new 5ver first before adding any suspension enhancements. I've been four years without any. I've towed my previous RV that was 16k and my current one that pushes 19k loaded over 20,000 miles without a need for any help in the suspension dept...
What yr/model is your truck (250/350)? Does it already have upper overloads? Why do you think you need them/how do you use your truck?
2016 F250 6.7 crew cab short bed 4wd. Pull a 28 ft travel trailer. With the weight distribution set up correctly I have no squatting issues. I have looked at someday moving to a 5th wheel and heard the stories of the 250's sagging badly in the 11-16's. Just wondering if timbrens would be that option that is fairly cheap and not used unless needed. But when needed they are there.
I installed Timbrens on my 2011 F250. I tow a fifth wheel with about 1900 pounds hitch weight. The Timberlin's kept the truck level but I did not like the ride. I had a local spring shop build and install A extra leaf on each side and it worked out much better for me. I couldn't really tell any difference in the ride of the truck empty but the ride was much better when loaded with the fifth wheel hitch weight. Timberens on mountain roads with potholes felt like they were hitting bottom every bump. Many people like them but I did not.
Don't know if you have any good spring shops in your location $340 added Leafs too my truck rides perfect, can't even tell the difference even with the factory shocks. when there's a load in the truck the handling is night and day over the original setup. Of course it will lift your back end about an inch which was fine for me having the front end leveled could be the only issue you could run into. never had faith in Timbers or airbags just more things to go wrong, personal opinion of course always hauling weight on a daily basis you might not need that kind of constant ability from your truck, just letting people know that it doesn't affect the ride at all take care
2016 F250 6.7 crew cab short bed 4wd. Pull a 28 ft travel trailer. With the weight distribution set up correctly I have no squatting issues. I have looked at someday moving to a 5th wheel and heard the stories of the 250's sagging badly in the 11-16's. Just wondering if timbrens would be that option that is fairly cheap and not used unless needed. But when needed they are there.
Do you have the camper package on your 250? If so it's physically identical to a SRW 350 and you shouldn't have any squatting issue. If you don't you can add the factory overload springs or better yet some airbags and you'll be good to go. I tried Timbrens on my last truck and wasn't happy with them. Yes, your truck will still ride decently unloaded but hit a good bump and they will come into contact and are quite jarring.
I've got a 2012 SRW 350 and have used it to pull two 5th wheels over 20k miles. Both had 2800-3200 on pin weight and when I'm hooked up the truck is almost dead level. Congrats on the new truck!
Camper package adds the rear sway bar and overload leaf to an F250. It's intended for those with slide-in campers, but the suspension upgrade is worth it even if you don't.
You have the camper package if you have a rear sway bar. You'll also notice an overload leaf arching upward from the spring pack that engages with lands mounted on the frame rail after about an inch of compression.
I wouldn't rush to fix something that's not broken though. If you upgrade your camper to a 5th wheel, see how it tows. If you need more rear support you can adjust from there. I prefer airbags to anything fixed, they allow you to adjust pressure to preserve your unloaded ride.
what are your thoughts on helper springs vs timbrens? i really like the simplicity of the timbrens.
I had Timbrens on my 2004 F250. They worked. But they were only useful once the truck squatted down onto them.
I tried a set of ProComp add-a-leafs on my 2004 also. Made it ride like a log truck when not towing. Way too stiff for my liking.
On my 2015 I first went with air bags, then added a set of Torklift StableLoad. And a set of Ranch RS9000XL adjustable shocks.
I think the stable loads are the best bang for the buck. They engage your factory overload leafs right away (when engaged) to make them do their job sooner instead of waiting for the truck to squat so far.
When not towing you disengage them and enjoy factory ride again.
I'm VERY happy with my current combination. The stable loads take most of the load, the air bags keep me level, and the shocks (when stiffened up for towing) keep things smooth and planted.
The only thing I may look at adding later would be a rear sway bar. Being a single rear wheel short bed, cross winds blow me around a little. I'm wondering if the rear sway bar would help.
Air bags when used correctly aren't bouncy. Their adjustability makes them the most popular option for a reason.
The f-250's with it's soft springs are actually a better combination with airbags than a stiffer spring pack. You can keep the soft ride unloaded and pump up to haul as much as your tires will tolerate.
I added rear leafs to my last truck, airbags out perform them in every way. I have multiple combinations of trailers and loads in the bed that make an adjustable system a great choice. Your results may vary.
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