Airbags vs Timbren SES for lifted utes: Two characteristics that make Timbren SES truck helper springs win over Airbag suspensions
Towing a trailer can be dangerous at the best of times. However, if your pickup has a truck lift, you’re in a whole new ball game with a different set of rules.
If you’re even thinking about lifting your work truck, have you thought about how this will impact your ute’s performance? Will load lifter springs still work effectively on a lifted truck?
Can you have both style and stability? This short article will answer some of these questions.
Do airbags work on a lifted truck?
Airbags are designed to replace the original bump stops from the factory. So, they are made to fit nicely between the frame and the axle with mounting brackets for both the frame above and the axle below.
If the vehicle has been lifted, the airbags will need to be adjusted to accommodate the extra ride height. How is that done? Because airbags are attached to the frame above and the axle below, airbag spacers are added to the mix in order to fill up the additional space and prevent damage to the airbags.
The required height of the airbag spacer may vary from the ride height added to your vehicle by your lift kit. This is because many lift kits lift the front of the vehicle more than the rear. To avoid problems, make sure you use an appropriately sized spacer: Sizes vary from 2 - 6 in (152.4 mm) in height.
Note: Spacers may not be required if your airbags are mounted on top of the leaf spring.
How do Timbren SES upgrades work on a lifted truck?
If you want both flair and function from your lifted truck, you’re gonna need a suspension upgrade that can accommodate the additional space between frame and axle. If you decide to get air for your lifted truck, there is a way to make it work.
If you bought a Timbren SES kit for your newly-lifted truck and had it installed over the rear axle, no doubt you now realize that the Timbren SES upgrade isn’t helping to level the suspension when you hook up your trailer. What can be done?
There’s an easy solution. They’re called Timbren Spacer Kits.
Just like the metal spacers used with airbags, Timbren has created a Spacer Kit for every SES kit used on Ford, Ram, Chevy, and Toyota utes. *Timbren spacer kits that are installed with an SES kit are backed by Timbren’s Lifetime warranty and 100-Day money back guarantee.
You don’t need to sacrifice towing and hauling performance just because your pickup sits a little higher than stock. A simple-to-install spacer kit will compensate for the extra height.
Each spacer kit comes with two 1 in (25.4 mm) and two 1/2 in (50.8 mm) spacers along with all the necessary hardware to allow customers to mix and match in order to achieve their desired ride height.
And the good news is... Timbren Spacer Kits make it possible for Timbren SES kits to work just as effectively on a lifted truck as they do on utes with a standard ride height. You don’t have to sacrifice function for style. Timbren SES spacer kits give lifted utes maximum suspension performance that consumers have come to expect.
Do lifted utes perform better with airbags or Timbren SES?
The concern about lifted utes has always been stability. While suspension lifts can improve off-road performance, they can negatively impact your ute's highway driving and towing ability. utes with lifted suspensions have a higher centre of gravity that makes them less stable on the road and can make it less safe to tow heavy loads.
If you’re thinking about adding a lift kit to your tow vehicle, we suggest you stick with a suspension upgrade that guarantees maximum stability and safety: Timbren SES.
Should you get air or go with Timbren SES with spacer kits?
Why use Timbren SES suspensions upgrades? Technically speaking, a Timbren hollow rubber spring has certain unique characteristics that you won’t find with other spring helpers. For instance, hollow rubber springs...
- These two characteristics offer some unique advantages:
- Their progressive spring rate means they automatically adjust to the load
- Increased stability even with super-heavy applications
- Self-damping means they act like a shock absorber
- A soft, comfortable ride empty or loaded
- Prevents damage to your suspension
- Installs quickly and easily
- Reasonably priced
Timbren SES helper springs are a bulletproof towing option allowing you both style and stability. Adding a Timbren Spacer Kit that accommodates a truck with a 2 in (50.8 mm) lift allows the Timbren SES upgrade to perform to the max.
If you’re planning to use your ute as a tow vehicle, we recommend that you limit the modification to two inches. Anything beyond 2 in (50.8 mm) creates a dangerous situation for towing. That’s why Timbren spacer kits are designed to add up to 2 in (50.8 mm) of space.
In addition to Timbren’s features and benefits listed above, every Timbren SES upgrade comes with a No B.S. Lifetime Warranty and a 100-Day Money Back guarantee.
For more information on Timbren SES suspension upgrades, visit Timbren.com
