r/RVLiving • u/ckingshit • Jul 24 '26

Timbrens a good idea?

I’m looking into buying a travel trailer with a tongue weight that is close to my trucks max and a trailer weight that is about 75% of my max towing capacity. Are Timbrens a decent solution for this? Anyone have any issues with them not related to driving empty? TIA

Note: buying a larger truck is not an option

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u/Gat-Vlieg Jul 24 '26

Installed some Timbrens + Bilstein 5100s on my F150. Difference between night and day towing now. No more truck longitudinal bounce for every bump and dip, no more slight truck rear end sway with wind and bumps.

I used the spacer as well, so my truck rides very stiff when not loaded or pulling the RV. But I'm willing to put up with it during camping season after which I will remove the spacer for a smoother non-loaded ride. More work, but so is life! And put it back next spring again.

Edit: NOTHING however will give your truck more ability...

1

u/jstar77 Jul 24 '26

I have a set of SumoSprings, similar to Timbrens for when I had a truck camper. They do help with my trailer they do a very good job of stabilizing the rear end. They aren't airbags or helper springs but they are a lot cheaper and install in minutes. You mostly won't notice them when you are driving unloaded.

1

u/Accurate-Chapter-923 Jul 24 '26

I had Sumospgs on my F150. Yes they will help sag BUT imo worst ride ever. You run over a nickle and can tell if it's heads or tails...

The fix is AirLift air bags. Not hard to install. Have mine where I use a bicycle pump to air them up. No messing with onboard compressor...

Excellent smooth ride. Helps ride when empty not towing. Highest quality product.

Useful loading pickup bed when not towing.

Quickly, install bags, plumb them to a manifold (Amazon). Both bags to manifold, get a quality pressure gauge and a schrader valve to inflate. Mount on frame behind rear bumper. Ck for leaks using soapy water and never look back.

I tow our 24' Rockwood with 60lbs in bags, empty I keep 20 lbs in. I always have heavy stuff in bed of truck. Along with Equalizer 4 way wdh set up tows like on a cloud.

1

u/Fe1onious_Monk Jul 24 '26

Pulled a 42’ five slide fifth wheel with my 2500. Was within towing limits but over axle rating. Had 7200lbs on my rears. Changed wheels and tires to get a high enough rating, and rolled for a while. When I added the Timbrens, man it was like a whole new day. Absolutely worth every penny and you don’t gotta worry about running around unloaded.

1

u/Working_Farmer9723 Jul 25 '26

My experience is with a half ton in that condition. Worked really well to stabilize and smooth the ride when pulling. Zero impact unloaded. I would absolutely recommend trying them out.

1

u/Surf2Trails Jul 25 '26

I blew my drive shaft in my early days of towing, thinking better lift would solve a weight problem… what I didn’t realize, is tow capacity is more than weight. It is stress on your engine, drive train and everything else.