Posted 2007-10-02 8:22 AM (#68721 - in reply to #68700) Subject: RE: springs vs air bags
Regular
Posts: 88 Location: Youngstown, OH
I added a leaf to the standard springs & an additional helper spring to my Ford F-350 to haul my 3 horse/15' shortwall Elite LQ. I chose springs over the airbags because I live in NE OH and I had been told the salt/road chemicals will tear up the airbags. It's worked out great and I haven't had a problem.
Posted 2007-10-02 6:36 PM (#68750 - in reply to #68721) Subject: RE: springs vs air bags
Elite Veteran
Posts: 736 Location: Western WA
If it wasn't for the salt issue, which would you recommend and why?
Originally written by reinergirl on 2007-10-02 6:22 AM
I added a leaf to the standard springs & an additional helper spring to my Ford F-350 to haul my 3 horse/15' shortwall Elite LQ. I chose springs over the airbags because I live in NE OH and I had been told the salt/road chemicals will tear up the airbags. It's worked out great and I haven't had a problem.
Posted 2007-10-03 9:07 AM (#68766 - in reply to #68700) Subject: RE: springs vs air bags
Regular
Posts: 91 Location: Hill Country, Texas
Did you notice a change in your ride with the springs? We're going to be adding either springs or air bags but hubby says he thinks the springs will make the ride too rough????
Posted 2007-10-03 9:09 AM (#68768 - in reply to #68750) Subject: RE: springs vs air bags
Regular
Posts: 88 Location: Youngstown, OH
If it wasn't for the salt issue, which would you recommend and why?
Since I don't drive my truck, except to haul a trailer, I would probably stick with the springs because I don't have to worry about a leak in a airbag or the compressor not working correctly. And when I unhook the trailer, there really is no difference in the ride. Just is a simpler solution for a very unmechanical girl!
Posted 2007-10-04 9:11 PM (#68850 - in reply to #68700) Subject: RE: springs vs air bags
New User
Posts: 3
sorry ya'll, its a titan shortbed (uggh) but its what i have for now and a 18ft hart 3 horse gn. Weighs a little too much, looking for new truck but keep this as possible back up for me to drive.(so if I want to take the trailer ... I can!) S whats the best bang for the buck will springs even me up to where its not weighing down so much, or will the air bags be dificult ? Just need some imput need to choose soon! Thanks!
Posted 2007-10-04 9:21 PM (#68852 - in reply to #68850) Subject: RE: springs vs air bags
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by brlrcer7 on 2007-10-04 10:11 PM
sorry ya'll, its a titan shortbed (uggh) but its what i have for now and a 18ft hart 3 horse gn. Weighs a little too much, looking for new truck but keep this as possible back up for me to drive.(so if I want to take the trailer ... I can!) S whats the best bang for the buck will springs even me up to where its not weighing down so much, or will the air bags be dificult ? Just need some imput need to choose soon! Thanks!
Posted 2007-10-05 11:42 AM (#68865 - in reply to #68700) Subject: RE: springs vs air bags
Regular
Posts: 97 Location: Kansas
I don't have a Nissan.. I just added Air Lift Air Bags to my 99 F350 and boy do I love the way it rides now! I have owned the truck for two years..and it pretty much rode like a lumber wagon. I have yet to pull my trailer since I had the air bags installed... but am sure it will be a smoother ride as well. I have an 05 3H Featherlite with an LQ.. the leaf springs on the truck needed more support with this trailer hooked up. I wish I would have thought to add the air bags 2 yrs ago. I really like them.
Posted 2007-10-07 2:09 PM (#68942 - in reply to #68865) Subject: RE: springs vs air bags
Veteran
Posts: 140 Location: Ft. Lawn, South Carolina
Mega dittos to trailridingal! I too have a '99 F-350 DRW and pull a '07 Bison, 10' LQ, 3-H and L0000VE my air bags! Made a major difference, rides great and I simply push my little button to raise or lower...sweet. I went back and forth between adding a spring leaf or bags and am really happy with my choice...cost is more, but I feel it is worth it. However, friends did add the leaf and are fine with that. The air bags are about double in price, so that could make the decision for you.
Posted 2008-03-21 3:19 PM (#80062 - in reply to #68700) Subject: RE: springs vs air bags
Elite Veteran
Posts: 736 Location: Western WA
Re-activating this thread because I am thinking about adding either an additional spring or Timbrens. My truck does not sit level with the trailer hooked up. So, opinions on either choice or other suggestions would be appreciated.
Posted 2008-03-21 3:41 PM (#80068 - in reply to #68700) Subject: RE: springs vs air bags
Member
Posts: 36 Location: Trout Creek, MT
A lot of folks knock the Timbrens, but I am using them on my Chevy 2500 HD, and I don't have any complaints. Air bags are probably smoother when under load but the Timbrens are simple, cheap, and effective. I've hauled many thousands of miles with them and would buy them again.
Posted 2008-03-21 3:42 PM (#80069 - in reply to #68700) Subject: RE: springs vs air bags
Member
Posts: 42 Location: MN
I work for a company that manufacturers adjustable leveling kits/ Alignment products and we have installed the timbren kit on a few vehciles and have had really good luck even in Minnesota. My wifes cousin had a timbren on his F350 till he switched trucks last week and it really helped his truck with hauling his gooseneck shoeing trailer and his Featherlight 4 horse big horses yet did not affect his ride. (His Shoeing trailer was squating the truck before first farrier I knew that needed living quarters in his trailer) He went with that kit cause he did not have to ad air ever. I know I have heard from our sister company who sells the Airbag kits is the airlines get corrided and tend to leak. This is just my opinion and why I am not putting any of the companies I work for's names on here.
Posted 2008-03-21 4:02 PM (#80071 - in reply to #68700) Subject: RE: springs vs air bags
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Definitely like the Timbrens. No maintenance, no mechanical parts, no leaking air systems. Original ride is unchanged, almost 6k pounds additional lift. Many years of usage, no problems at all. Would not change.
Posted 2008-03-22 5:04 AM (#80103 - in reply to #68700) Subject: RE: springs vs air bags
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
genebob... I think someone's talking about the salt corroding the airlines and the fittings to the point that they start seeping and leaking air. If nylon lines and brass fitting were used, I don't see where you would ever have any problems with "salt".
Posted 2008-03-22 6:20 AM (#80104 - in reply to #68700) Subject: RE: springs vs air bags
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
I've had the Firestone air bags on my truck for the last 2 years. I've not had any problems with them. I don't put much air in them. I keep them at 16-18 psi.
Posted 2008-03-22 6:29 AM (#80105 - in reply to #80087) Subject: RE: springs vs air bags
Veteran
Posts: 296 Location: Tennessee
Originally written by headhunter on 2008-03-21 7:22 PM
Anybody familiar with both springs and Timbrens and can discuss pros and cons of each?
The main advantage of Timbrens over springs is that they do nothing until your truck sees a load, whereas the springs alter the ride loaded or unloaded. The Timbrens are like heavy duty rubber bumpers. Of course, if your truck already rides like a chuck wagon, the extra stiffness of springs really isn't going to matter that much.
The main advantage of airbags over both Timbrens and springs is that airbags are infinitely variable and can be adjusted to the load. With airbags, you can literally level the load, which you can't do with springs or Timbrens. On the down side, they cost more than springs/TImbrens, installation is more complicated and they can leak or even pop. Springs and Timbrens are basically maintenance free. Install em and forget em.
Different towing needs will require different solutions. If you tow the same load all the time and have just a little sag, springs or Timbrens might be all you need. If you tow different trailers or a wide variety of loads, airbags would be more useful. That's why commercial truckers use airbags.
If you're after ride quality for you and your horses, consider something like this:
springs vs air bags
