What are airbag suspension helpers?
Air bag suspensions were originally designed to achieve smooth ride quality by replacing the conventional steel-spring suspension in heavier vehicle applications like trucks, tractor-trailers, passenger buses, and even passenger trains. More recently, airbag helper springs have been designed to assist the suspension on full-size pickup trucks.
An air bag suspension system is powered by either an electric pump or compressor that forces air into rubber bags typically made out of polyurethane and textile-reinforced rubber. The compressor inflates the airbags to a desired air pressure. It’s important to note that it’s the air inside the bag that does the work of a spring. (An air bag suspension should not be confused with a hydropneumatic suspension which uses pressurized hydraulic liquid instead of air.)
Airbag suspensions have basically five components:
- Air bags
- Air lines
- Air tank
- Air compressor
- Height control valves
Before we try to explain how they work, let’s take a quick look at the basic working parts of an airbag suspension with onboard air supply for the rear suspension:
- First of all, the 2 airbags - one for each side of the truck - are connected by air lines to the air tank and the compressor via the height control valve.
- When the level of compressed air in the tank drops to a certain level, the height control valve kicks in the compressor and the air tank is filled once again.
Suspension airbags are adjustable. In other words, by adding compressed air into the airbags, you are able to lift or lower the frame of the truck to the desired ride height.
Adjustable air springs replace the original bump stops, engineered to fit with your existing suspension. They work well with either leaf spring or coil suspensions and help to eliminate squat, providing you with a more comfortable ride when towing or hauling a load.
Suspension airbags provide better weight distribution by leveling the load. This provides more control over steering and braking while towing.
A basic air bag system costs about $1000.00 plus installation. This price does not include the air tank, air compressor, or height control valve.
What are Timbren SES suspension upgrades?
Timbren SES helper springs were originally designed as a viable alternative to metal spring helpers and airbags. Timbren SES upgrades are made of natural rubber, designed to replace the original bump stops.
Easy-to-install Timbren SES kits require zero maintenance. Every Timbren SES kit is a ‘set it and forget it’ system. Aeon® rubber springs have a progressive spring rate that keeps even the heaviest loads level and stable.
Comparing Airbags to Timbren SES:
This short comparison examines the similarities and the differences between Timbren SES suspension upgrades and airbag suspension kits.
Similarities:
Both Timbren SES and the airbag system will improve vehicle handling and its overall performance by reducing suspension sag. Keeping a truck level gives you 3 things:
In general, both airbags and Timbren springs are designed to improve ride quality in both loaded and unloaded situations.
Differences:
Fundamentally, a Timbren SES system uses Aeon® hollow rubber springs. They do not use compressed air like airbags. When the load is applied, the shape of the spring begins to expand. On the other hand, airbags are… well, rubber bags designed to hold air. The bag expands just like a balloon as air is forced into the rubber bladder.
Both systems install between the frame and the axle. A Timbren SES system takes about 30 minutes to install. But an airbag system has many components which could take 4-5 hours to install.
Airbags can be adjusted manually to maintain ride height and driver preference.
Timbren rubber springs, on the other hand, automatically adjust to variable loads and road conditions. In other words, Aeon® rubber springs are self-adjusting.
The hollow rubber springs of a Timbren SES system require zero maintenance. Any tweaking or adjusting is done during installation.
Airbag maintenance, on the other hand, must be performed as often as required to ensure the airbag doesn’t dip below 5 psi to ensure the airbags don’t get damaged, resulting in air leaks.
The average price of a Timbren SES kits is $300.
Airbag kits are priced somewhere between $1000 - $2500.
Airbags vs rubber springs: Which helper springs are right for your truck?
Above, we compared airbags to Timbren SES suspension helper springs. So, which one of these suspension systems is right for your truck?
Timbren SES wins big points for:
- Easy installation
- Zero maintenance
- Affordability
Additionally, Timbren SES upgrades aren’t susceptible to malfunctioning like an airbag system. In fact, a Timbren SES system is completely bulletproof. (Quite literally!)
Unlike an airbag system, Timbren SES truck helper springs allow you to set it and forget it. In other words, Timbren SES requires zero maintenance.
Additionally, an airbag system doesn’t provide enough stability if you’re hauling a top-heavy load like a truck camper or towing a heavy 5th Wheel.
Think about it: For the past 50+ years, Timbren SES products have remained the smartest choice because they guarantee you maximum control and safety, loaded and unloaded... all at a very reasonable price!
“Whether we’re towing with our Nissan Titan or our Toyota Tundra, our Timbren SES kit has been a game changer. Reduced all sag in the rear plus helps the tow rigs gain maximum control. Over a year with SES and we would never go back.” @ClicOutdoor
For more information about Timbren SES products, please visit Timbren.com
