You may have heard how some suspension helper spring manufacturers claim that their product has a progressive spring rate. It’s true that some may have a ‘variable’ spring rate, but very few provide a spring rate that is truly progressive.
This short article will explain the meaning of a truly progressive spring rate and compare Timbren SES suspension spring helpers to some of its competitors.
What is a progressive spring rate?
In order to explain a progressive spring rate, we need to understand a linear spring rate:
A linear spring rate means that the spring rate remains the same as the spring compresses all the way down until it can’t compress any more. For example, a 300 lbs per inch linear rated spring will compress 1 inch when 300 lbs is applied An additional 300 lbs applied to the spring will make it compress another inch - and so on.
A progressive spring rate constantly increases as the spring continues to compress. In other words, if it takes 300 lbs to compress the spring 1” it could take 2-3 times the load to make it compress an additional 1 inch - and so on.
A truly progressive spring rate like Timbren SES provides a rubber spring that is actually stronger than steel and more reliable than air!
How does the progressive spring rate of Timbren SES compare with the competition?
- Hellwig
Hellwig leaf springs are helper springs designed to sit on top of the existing leaf springs at the rear of your truck. They work in conjunction with the factory spring pack to increase the spring rate of the truck. Hellwig offers several types of helper springs with various load capacities and applications. The price of a leaf spring kit ranges anywhere from $500.00 - $1000.00.
Because of their linear spring rate, Hellwig leaf springs are limited to an additional load capacity ranging anywhere from 500 lbs to 1500 lbs. By comparison, Timbren SES can provide up to an additional 8600 lbs.
- SumoSprings:
There have been a few companies that have tried to imitate Timbren SES. (When a great idea turns up, everyone wants a piece of the action!) And many have tried to improve on the original but with little-to-zero success.
SumoSprings is one such product that entered the market back in 2010 under the more-established brand of SuperSpring. As a new product based on the Timbren SES model, it was a poor copy of the original. Instead of rubber compound like Timbren SES, SumoSprings are made from gas-infused, microcellular polyurethane which is a fancy word for ‘foam’!
Without a truly progressive spring rate, SumoSprings are limited to an additional load capacity of 1000 lbs. By comparison, Timbren SES can provide up to an additional 8600 lbs.
Why does Timbren SES have the best progressive spring rate?
Timbren SES truck helper springs – aka Aeon® hollow rubber springs – are at the heart of every Timbren SES product. They are the alternative to metal and foam.
A set of Aeon® springs provide extra weight capacity for your suspension, starting at 1,000 lbs up to 50,000 lbs. Every SES kit is a combination of carefully selected Aeon® springs and components that can be installed on virtually every truck, van and SUV that rolls off the assembly line.
In order to understand why Timbren SES are so special compared to the competition, you need to understand two innate characteristics of an Aeon® hollow rubber spring - used in every Timbren SES product:
Unlike metal and foam springs that have a linear spring rate, Aeon® rubber springs have a progressive spring rate, a rate that increases as more weight is added to the truck.
A progressive spring rate constantly increases its spring rate. In other words, if it takes 300 lbs to compress the spring 1” it could take 2-3 times the load to make it compress an additional 1 inch - and so on.
Here are some of the benefits that you will enjoy using Timbren SES upgrades for towing:
- No more sag & squat when you load your truck to the max
Unlike metal and foam springs that need shocks to absorb the energy created when they compress, Aeon® rubber springs are self-damping, able to absorb the kinetic energy all by themselves.
These two characteristics – progressive spring rate and hysteresis - offer some unique advantages:
- Automatically adjust to the load, preventing sag and squat
Timbren helper springs review:
Timbren SES products were first introduced to the North American market in 1968. Because they are so bulletproof and reliable, Timbren SES suspension upgrades have continued to grow in popularity. Today, there are over 450 Timbren best suspension upgrades that fit every truck, van, and SUV suspension that rolls off the assembly line.
Knowing what you know now, is it really that hard to understand why Timbren SES are the best suspension upgrades available in today’s market?
If you need more information about Timbren SES, visit Timbren.com or contact Customer Service: Sales@timbren.com
