Greetings everyone ...

Please share your thoughts / views / experiences on this ...
I am new to this forum and I would appreciate your help ... I have a 2004 3500 "Dooly" (850 miles)... I will be putting a 10 foot 3000lb (dry) camper on it and will be towing a fairly large 22ft boat (expect additional 200 to 300lb tongue weight). As well of course I will have the added weight of a "crew cab" full of family and all their belongings packed into the camper or boat.

I talked to a fellow at a "four wheeler" shop who installs both airbag units and the Timbren Hollow Rubber Springs. His view is that the Timbren would be the best choice for me rather than the airbags - reduced sway / simple system which is less likely to fail & somewhat cheaper.

What do you think? Up until today I had never ever heard of the Timbren system. I had airbags on my 2001 2500HD and they seemed to work OK. I only wished I could have made adjustments to them from inside the cab.

Do I even need them on my 3500??

best regards ... rudy
heresee photos here (http://dieselplace.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=184&PN=1&TPN=20)

i had the timbren system on a 1/2 ton p/u. i used them for when i hauled my sled deck on the back of my p/u. it worked very well but the thing that i liked about the system was i was able to take the timbrens off and the ride went back to stock. this would take all of 10 mins. but with a 1 ton i wouldn't think that you would notice much change in ride with them on.

I would wait and see how it handles after installing the camper. I would guess you probably won't need them with the 3500. I haven't installed my timbrens yet but I will post later this week when they are on. They are very easy to install and fairly low cost.

Hair Bear & Grey Max .. thanks for the timely replies to my post. Sounds as though the install / removal is pretty straight forward and can be done rather quickly.

So it probably would make sense to try and see how it handles without anything installed at first. Can always be added later. GreyMax ... I look forward to your follwoup post this coming week.
regards ..rudy

Anyone else have any experience / thoughts on this??

I just finished putting airbags in mine a few months ago. I absolutely love them!! Correct me if I'm wrong but the timbrens aren't adjustable are they?


I love my airbags but like Rudyk said, it'd be nice to be able to adjust them from in the cab. I cheaped out for now, but I can always reroute my lines later and have them adjustable from in the cab with a small compressor and a rocker switch. As for going back to stock ride, all I do is bleed out the air from the bags down to about 5-8psi and I'm pretty close to stock. With a dualy I don't think you'd really notice, especially if you're hauling anything.


I agree with everyone else here to try without any additional compensation first, you may be able to save yourself some money!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif


just my 2 cents

Zorganov...

That is correct ... the timbren system is not adjustable.

Has anyone else ever installed the airbag system with pressure adjustment controls in the cab??? If so, what kind were they and how did they work???

...rudy

Installed the Timbrens this morning. Easy install, less than an hour. The kit comes with a 1 inch rubber spacer which adjust whether or not the blocks touch the axle all the time. I put the spacers in, but probably should have left them out. Without the spacers the block would have about 3/4'' of clearance allowing the to ride to be like stock until a load is applied. Truck kind of rides rough with the spacer as is expected with the stiff rubber. One nice thing is the lack a body roll with the blocks. I will have to hook up the trailer and see what it feels like, but so far I like. Only a few tools needed. 3/8 ratchet with 9/16 socket and I think a 15 mm for the stock nuts. Also a 9/16 wrench as a hold back. Since I used the spacer I put a jack stand under my hitch and just picked up on the truck alittle to allow enough clearance for the block. With no spacer no lifting is required. It seems to have raised the rear about 1/2'' or so, but not really noticable to the untrained eye.

Rudyk i have had many trucks with in cab adjustability, I always use Air Ride. I have had good luck with these components. I have them in one of Max's now with about 10" of adjustment.


MB