3950 Towing and Getting Started

[lakebuster]

Originally Posted by donzinger

My father-in-law had the Timbrens for years - never had a complaint, but he switched over to air bags before last season and loves them. I went straight to airbags so I have nothing to make a comparison except for his word and he has been towing heavy fifth wheels for several years.

I noticed you have a XP-4 and 3950 also, I have the pre-runner style front and rear bumpers and have to place HD blankets in front and back to help against rubbing. Do you have this problem?

[donzinger]

Originally Posted by lakebuster

I noticed you have a XP-4 and 3950 also, I have the pre-runner style front and rear bumpers and have to place HD blankets in front and back to help against rubbing. Do you have this problem?

I am always cautious loading but have never had an issue - I have enough space ahead and to the rear that I am ok. I have no rear bumper and just the Polaris front brushguard. Really wanted the 1000XP but having a 4-seater trumped all other considerations and the 1000XP4 was 5 inches too long for our 3950 - I even thought of removing factory tires and using very small tires or a "sled" to load it, but then we were getting too far away from it being quick and convenient to load, haul and unload.

[DesertRat]

Originally Posted by dunforprod

DesertRat- where the tires you lost G614 or the factory tires on the Teton. Noticed you have 17.5s now, G114 ??

They were the factory G614 that came on it new. I lost a total of nine tires until I wised up & switched to 17.5. Those now are on my Voltage & the Voltage new ones are on my Teton. I have Hankook 17.5 tires.

[wino]

Originally Posted by calewjohnson

I have Timbrens, I like them much better than the bags (had on my last truck). They were cheaper and zero maintenance. They keep the truck pretty level, little to no sag..they are progressive...

I also took my Westlakes off and put on some Sailun tires (steel carcus tires), they are heavy and they are doing great. Much cheaper than the GY tires...

Cale

How does your truck ride unloaded with the Timbrens, I've been looking at them, but I worry about loosing ride quality when driving unloaded. I notice right away when I forget to air down my bags when unloaded.

[nmroper]

Originally Posted by lakebuster

Okay just went to SD truck springs, and watched the video on the Timbren suspension kit, looks easier to install than air bags. Would like to know how people like this set up also!

Went with Timbrens over Air bags due to reliability (fewer parts to fail), cost, and ease of install. Cost me about $180 online and took about 20 minutes to install. Have made several trips since late summer pulling RV, 40' horse Trailer and 40' Flat bed all heavily loaded. I was looking to eliminate a bit of sag on the DR3500 with no degradation in handling. Turned out I had to adjust all trailers 3" to get the nose back down and level. Ride did seem slightly more stable, but no more than what i've gotten with bags. Assuming they hold up over long period, i don't plan to ever use air bags again. Other advantage for me is they don't affect the factory ride when not pulling a trailer since they only come into play when the overloads are engaged.