I have been researching ways to improve my car's "haulability" since my BP (Hart) makes my SUV 's rear sag a bit.. Someone here suggested timbrens.. I've read up on them and found some for what seems like a good price to my uneducated eye.. My (probably stupid) question is... Should I get shocks for front and rear? The company that offers them online has both front and rear shocks.. I was thinking only rear, since that's where my problem lies, but I'm not sure if that's equal to only balancing two tires instead of four..
Posted 2009-11-15 6:08 PM (#113204 - in reply to #113203) Subject: RE: timbren shocks
Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA
Timbrens are NOT shock absorbers. They are an auxiliary, hard rubber cylindrical "spring", that compresses under weight. Some offer an additional capacity of 6K #'s. They are usually only used in the rear suspensions to eliminate any sagging under heavy loads. Sometimes they are installed in the front end of trucks, that are equipped with a front plow and heavy sub frame. They can be installed, so that they will not effect any ride change while the truck is unladen.
Shock absorbers take out the rebounding of the vehicle's suspension, which causes porpoising or bouncing, uneven tire wear and poor handling. Timbrens add to the weight capacity of the suspension.
If your truck has many miles, and the body continues to bounce after you've cleared a bump, you may need both shocks and Timbrens; one for the handling, one for additional weight capabilities.
Posted 2009-11-16 12:19 AM (#113212 - in reply to #113203) Subject: RE: timbren shocks
Elite Veteran
Posts: 681
Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
You're right ... Thanks for correcting me.. I saw the company had advertised both and mixed them up.. My car now has a little over 100,000 miles... Plus I use it like a truck... I am contemplating getting a truck, but i hate to get rid of my nice, paid-for SUV.. Sooner or later I know I'll have to make the change.....If I can put shocks and springs on my car, it would probably be the best.. Right?
Posted 2009-11-16 9:17 AM (#113223 - in reply to #113212) Subject: RE: timbren shocks
Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA
Originally written by ridingarocky on 2009-11-16 1:19 AM
My car now has a little over 100,000 miles... Plus I use it like a truck... I am contemplating getting a truck, but i hate to get rid of my nice, paid-for SUV.. Sooner or later I know I'll have to make the change.....If I can put shocks and springs on my car, it would probably be the best.. Right?
The cost of the Timbrens and new shocks/struts, probably would not equal two payments on a new vehicle. Any nice, paid for vehicle that is enjoyed and competent, is worth keeping. Most will easily last 150k-200K with proper maintenance. You're only half way there, and can look forward to more years of less expensive driving. If your rig is doing the job for you now, why change? New and larger = $$$$
Posted 2009-11-17 5:08 AM (#113264 - in reply to #113203) Subject: RE: timbren shocks
Regular
Posts: 92
Location: Harrisburg, PA
Originally written by ridingarocky on 2009-11-15 5:39 PM
I have been researching ways to improve my car's "haulability" since my BP (Hart) makes my SUV 's rear sag a bit.. Someone here suggested timbrens.. I've read up on them and found some for what seems like a good price to my uneducated eye.. My (probably stupid) question is... Should I get shocks for front and rear? The company that offers them online has both front and rear shocks.. I was thinking only rear, since that's where my problem lies, but I'm not sure if that's equal to only balancing two tires instead of four..
Posted 2009-11-17 9:11 AM (#113273 - in reply to #113203) Subject: RE: timbren shocks
Elite Veteran
Posts: 803
Location: Tenn/Ala.
The old rule of thumb was that one would begin to notice a loss of dampening from most shock absorbers starting at about 25K miles. Of course terrain, use, etc. can affect that. At 100K, replacement will make a huge difference, especially when hauling a trailer. But regular shocks will not affect "sag". That's a spring issue.
Posted 2009-11-17 11:19 AM (#113279 - in reply to #113203) Subject: RE: timbren shocks
Elite Veteran
Posts: 681
Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
I have an '03 Land cruiser....Pulls @ 6000lbs... It has served me well for over 5 years.. It pulled my old 2HBP straightload (steel frame/alum skin) fine, but I started doing more camping which equates to more stuff and a place to put it.. I traded up this year to a 2HBP slantload all aluminum (Hart) that is heavier.. i haven't put the horses in it yet.. It's been too hot and now I need to replace the jack that doesn't fully retract before I'm comfortable pulling it loaded over the hills to my favorite camping spot.. I HAVE hauled hay in it tho, and can sure tell the difference...