Ultimate ride quality: How Timbren Active Off-Road Rubber Bump Stops enhance your ride quality

Do you know what a bump stop is? Find out just how important they really are and learn about bumpstops for off-road use. Knowing these important facts could save your life. Don’t leave the pavement without them...

What are bump stops?

Bump stops aka “Jounce Bumpers” are one of the smallest components of a vehicle’s suspension. These small and seemingly insignificant units are the final cushion to prevent metal from hitting metal if and when the vehicle’s suspension completely bottoms out. This little barrier between metal components is designed to help reduce damage to the suspension.

They also reduce the axles movement upwards by not allowing contact between the tires and the fenders. Without bump stops, tires and fenders can collide on rough terrain and potentially cause damage.

Bump stops lengthen the life of suspension components because they don’t allow full movement of the springs and axles on the vehicle. Without the protection of a bump stop, your suspension would receive serious damage, not to mention how your personal safety would be compromised.

Rear bumpstops usually sit somewhere between the frame and the axle.

What are off-road bump stops?

To begin, you need to understand that original bumpstops from the factory are inadequate for off-roading. Factory stops deliver a harsh jounce when the vehicle bottoms out. And when you’re off-roading, you’re likely going to bottom out quite a bit. 

Needless to say, this creates poor ride quality and loss of control of your vehicle. In order to improve the ride and increase control, a different type of bump stop is required.

Off-road bumpstops come in various shapes and sizes. Below are two of the most popular kind:

   1.  Nitrogen Bump Stops

One type of bump stop that's become more popular in recent years is the gas-pressurized nitrogen bump stop (often called air bumps).

These cylindrical units consist of a short-stroke shock mechanism that is velocity sensitive. Oil is used inside much like a standard shock. This allows the bump stop to effectively dampen, or slow, the suspension movement through its final inches of travel. Air bumps supplement the spring rate of the suspension.

   2. Active Off-Road Bump Stops  

Timbren’s Aeon® hollow rubber springs can be used as bump stops for off-road vehicles. Much like the Timbren SES helper springs, they install in the same location as the factory bump stops.

But do not confuse the Timbren SES with Active Off-Road Bumpstops. Timbren SES products are meant to help with additional loads. On the other hand, Active Off-Road Bumpstops are rubber bump stops for trucks meant to assist when the suspension bottoms out.

Because they’re made of soft rubber with a hollow core, they’re able to soften the harsh ‘jolt’ when the suspension hits bottom.

This increased dampening response helps the driver maintain better control of the vehicle while off-roading.

What's the difference between Timbren SES and Active Off-road Bumpstops?

It’s easy to confuse Timbren SES products with Active Off-Road Bumpstops. That’s because they look almost identical and install in the same location, replacing the factory stops.

The main difference between Timbren SES and Active Off-Road bumpstops is their function.

Timbren SES kits are designed to provide increased spring capacity for extra-heavy loads. Timbren SES offer improved suspension performance including better ride quality.

Active Off-Road Bumpstops soften the blow when the vehicle bottoms out. This protects the vehicle and helps the driver maintain better control.

So, here it is in a nutshell:

Timbren SES are a load-bearing helper springs that provides more spring capacity* and better Ride Quality.  Active Off-Road Bumpstops, on the other hand, supplies a softer landing, and ultimately, better ride control over rough terrain.

* Increased capacity means increased spring rate - GVW remains the same

Are Active Off-road Bumpstops worth the money?

Off-roading or overlanding with factory bumpstops can ruin your trip. Maybe you’ve experienced it before: harsh bottoming out, bone-rattling bumps, and dangerous uncontrolled handling that can hurt you and destroy your suspension and shocks.  With Active Off-Road Bumpstops, you can hit the trails without taking damaging hits to your suspension.

Made from our Aeon® springs, Active Off-Road Bumpstops dampen the harsh jounce every time your vehicle bottoms out, creating a softer, safer ride over even the biggest bumps, dips, and whoops. This means reduced stress on you, your passengers, and your suspension, allowing you to stay out on the trails much longer to explore comfortably and in control. 

• Hydrogen Bump Stops retail somewhere between $460.00 - $640.00.

• Active Off-road Bumpstops retail for $297.00

Low-cost Active Off-road Bumpstops are worth every penny. Every kit comes with a Lifetime Warranty and a 100-Day Money Back Guarantee.

For more information on Active Off-Road Bumpstops and how to get your hands on a set, visit Timbren.com or contact Customer Service: Sales@timbren.com