Helper Leaf Springs come in different shapes and sizes, including various materials from which they are made. Leaf spring helpers started out as metal leaf springs that you could add to the leaf-spring suspension on your tow vehicle. Airbags are another (more expensive) system that have been around for the last 75 years.
Timbren SES leaf spring helpers have proven to be an effective alternative to older, more conventional spring technology. That’s because Timbren SES hollow rubber springs offer many advantages that you won’t get with helper springs made of metal.
Find out how Timbren SES leaf helpers are the perfect fit for leaf-spring suspensions.
What are helper leaf springs?
Helper leaf springs are more accurately dubbed ‘leaf spring helpers’. In other words, they work together with the existing leaf-spring suspension to increase its spring capacity.
Three companies that make leaf spring helpers are SuperSprings, Hellwig, and Timbren.
SuperSprings make a product that attach to the top of the leaf-spring suspension. The rollers at each end allow the helper spring to adjust for deflection.
Hellwig has a product that also attaches to the top of the leaf-spring suspension. A combination of U-bolts and crossbars holds the helper springs in place.
Timbren also has a product that fits perfectly on the top of the leaf-spring suspension.
How does Timbren SES work with a leaf spring suspension?
Timbren SES kits replace the original OE bump stops. Many factory bump stops are fastened to the frame and ‘bump down’ on the axle. Sometimes the OE bumpstops are fastened to the U-bolt pad on the top of the leaf-spring stack. Either way, Timbren leaf-spring helpers help to keep the truck level at all times and maintain maximum stability while loaded.
pdf installation instructions for TORTUN4
The installation instructions shown above illustrate how Timbren SES part # TORTUN4 can be mounted to the leaf-spring suspension in three simple steps:
- Loosen U-bolts and remove existing bumpstop.
- Assemble Aeon® rubber spring and metal bracket.
- Mount Timbren assembly to leaf springs and retighten U-bolts.
Instead of the rubber spring engaging with the axle, the frame rests on the rubber spring. There’s always a 1” gap between the rubber spring and the frame (or axle) until fully loaded. That way, the rubber springs won’t interfere with the unloaded ride quality - only when fully loaded.
Two Timbren SES leaf-spring helpers that fit perfectly with a leaf spring suspension.
Below are two helper springs designed to fit perfectly with a leaf spring suspension:
- Part # TORTUN4 fits perfectly on the rear suspension of the Toyota Tundra.
- Part # NRTTN also fits perfectly on the rear suspension of the Nissan Titan.
Timbren SES products are a radical departure from older, more conventional methods of adding additional weight capacity. Timbren SES suspension upgrades aren’t made of metal.
Here’s the thing:
Because they’re made of natural rubber - and not metal - Timbren SES upgrades offer you several features and benefits that the others can’t provide. Tow innate characteristics of Timbren hollow rubber springs that metal springs can’t provide are:
- Progressive spring rate
- Hysteresis - self-damping
Unlike a linear spring rate, a progressive spring rate continually increases as the load increases. For this reason, Timbren SES leaf spring helpers guarantee that your truck remains level and stable at all times - even under the heaviest loads. SES upgrades can provide up to an additional 8600 lbs of spring capacity. *
*Note: Even though the spring capacity is increased, the GVWR remains the same as set by the manufacturer.
Unlike leaf springs, Timbren’s hollow rubber springs are self-damping, able to absorb the rebound energy just like a shock absorber! That’s why they deliver smooth ride quality even under the heaviest loads.
Should I choose Timbren SES for my Toyota Tundra?
Timbren SES suspension upgrades give you the biggest bang for your buck when it comes to keeping the truck stable. Here are the benefits you receive when you install an SES upgrade:
- Affordable - most Timbren kits are less than $300.00
- Easy to install - most Timbren kits take less than 30 minutes to install
- Absorbs road shock - Timbren SES kits improve the ride quality even with the heaviest loads
- Levels out the trailer - Timbren SES kits keep the tow vehicle from squat
- Zero maintenance - just set it and forget it
- Prevents roll and sway - Timbren SES kits help to stabilize the load
- Helps maintain control - improves steering and braking
For more information on how to get your hands on a set of Timbren SES spring leaf helpers like TORTUN4 visit Timbren.com or contact Customer Service: Sales@timbren.com
