We just took our cargo trailer 800 miles. The 2011 SD Sway Control and the Timbrens were tested on this run.
Total weight for the trailer was 12.5 klbs and an extra 1klbs of stuff in the bed of the truck. I had a new 2.5 in hitch, but it was too tight of a fit. I was within the capacity of the 2" hitch so I used it. It was late and I had already installed the sway control balls on the 2.5 in hitch, so I left it off that night for the short drive back to the park. The next morning, I decided that I would install the sway control if it was needed. It was a long drive so I went a little faster than I prefer when towing. I went around 70-75 mph and the fuel economy reflected it. I was getting around 9mpg at 75mph, 9.7mpg at 70mph and 10.5mpg at 65mph.
Mileage wasn't the point to this update...First thing was the Timbren SES. It was great! I was impressed with how much smoother the bumps were with the springs installed. I thought there would be a slight improvement, but not this much. I can see how they can extend the life of the springs, hitch and trailer. I would definitely recommend them to anyone with a truck.
Second item was the Trailer Sway Control feature on the 2011 SD . I had hauled the cargo trailer empty (4,500 lbs) and noticed it didn't seem to sway as much as before. I figured it was due to having a dually (heavier truck = trailer has less influence on truck). However, I was surprised when towing the trailer with a load. I towed the trailer 1,000 miles with the 2005 F250 6.0l CC SB FX4, 4,000 miles with the 2008 F250 6.4l CC SB 4X4, and now 1,600 miles with the 2011 F450. The difference between the 05/08 and the 11 is night and day in regards to trailer sway. The trailer fully loaded was unwieldy with the prior models and sway control was a must. I got a second sway control system to tame it. This time, loaded with 8,000 lbs, no sway control was needed. I thought, "Man, I did an awesome job loading this trailer". Then I remembered the Sway Control could be turned off. Since I was on open highway with no traffic, I turned it off. Immediately there was a difference. Every turn, every passing truck caused significant sway. If the trailer had been swaying that much, I definitely would have pulled over and hooked up the sway bars. Turned it back on in the middle of sway from passing a truck and it immediately cut it out. It was amazing. Ford knocked one out of the park with what I consider to be the best feature since the Integrated Brake Controller with the new Sway Control! And, they added the factory 5th wheel prep on the same model!
Welcome to the Trailerhood!
Showing posts with label Timbren. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Timbren. Show all posts
Friday, August 20, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
New Truck Accessories!!!
I installed new equipment on the truck yesterday...ok, new toys perhaps. I put on rain deflectors and new Timbren springs.
The rain deflectors were more along the lines of toys. I had them on a previous truck and it was nice to be able to crack the window and not worry about rain entering. It also cuts down on the low frequency noise that occurs when you open a window at faster speeds. Photos of the vents are on facebook.
The second install was a Timbren Suspension Enhancement System. It is a set of rubber helper springs that will smooth out the ride when under load. I purchased from eTrailer even though there were a few places that were cheaper. We have had great service from eTrailer in the past and wanted to use them again. As advertised, etrailer honored their lowest price pledge.
The installation was simple. It seems like it took longer to get the cover off of the sticky tape on the rain deflectors than it took to install the springs. It took no more than an hour to install the springs. The instructions say to lift the truck so the axle hangs freely but that wasn't necessary. There should be about 1/2 inch clearance when installed and that was enough to get the springs in for mounting. One side was a little tighter and required a little wiggling, but I managed without lifting. I probably could have taken the hitch out of the bed along with the box of tools and gotten a tad more clearance. Probably also would have helped if I had parked on a level surface. The hardest part of the install was turning the wrench to get the nut off to remove the OEM bumper and then turning the wrench to get the nut on the Timbren springs. There is not much clearance which. The passenger side had enough clearance to get a ratchet on, but it was not very effective. I found myself wishing I had a set of magical ratchet-wrenches that Craftsman makes. Maybe some day I'll get some, but I managed with plain wrenches. It was also dark when I installed them which goes to show the ease in getting to the parts.
I chose the Timbren system for the low maintenance required. They simply replace the OEM bumper and that's it. At a minimmum, air systems require inflation tubing and adding air more frequently than never (the amount of times you have to add anything to the Timbren springs = never). For lower maintenance on the air systems you would have to add compressors and remote monitoring/adjusting systems. Overall, I'll take the easy option. It's also cheaper.
I have one photo of the springs here and there are a few more on facebook. I'm looking forward to getting back on the road in a few weeks and seeing how the new springs work out. I'll try to remember to update on how the ride changes under load.
-Steve
The rain deflectors were more along the lines of toys. I had them on a previous truck and it was nice to be able to crack the window and not worry about rain entering. It also cuts down on the low frequency noise that occurs when you open a window at faster speeds. Photos of the vents are on facebook.
The second install was a Timbren Suspension Enhancement System. It is a set of rubber helper springs that will smooth out the ride when under load. I purchased from eTrailer even though there were a few places that were cheaper. We have had great service from eTrailer in the past and wanted to use them again. As advertised, etrailer honored their lowest price pledge.
The installation was simple. It seems like it took longer to get the cover off of the sticky tape on the rain deflectors than it took to install the springs. It took no more than an hour to install the springs. The instructions say to lift the truck so the axle hangs freely but that wasn't necessary. There should be about 1/2 inch clearance when installed and that was enough to get the springs in for mounting. One side was a little tighter and required a little wiggling, but I managed without lifting. I probably could have taken the hitch out of the bed along with the box of tools and gotten a tad more clearance. Probably also would have helped if I had parked on a level surface. The hardest part of the install was turning the wrench to get the nut off to remove the OEM bumper and then turning the wrench to get the nut on the Timbren springs. There is not much clearance which. The passenger side had enough clearance to get a ratchet on, but it was not very effective. I found myself wishing I had a set of magical ratchet-wrenches that Craftsman makes. Maybe some day I'll get some, but I managed with plain wrenches. It was also dark when I installed them which goes to show the ease in getting to the parts.
I chose the Timbren system for the low maintenance required. They simply replace the OEM bumper and that's it. At a minimmum, air systems require inflation tubing and adding air more frequently than never (the amount of times you have to add anything to the Timbren springs = never). For lower maintenance on the air systems you would have to add compressors and remote monitoring/adjusting systems. Overall, I'll take the easy option. It's also cheaper.
I have one photo of the springs here and there are a few more on facebook. I'm looking forward to getting back on the road in a few weeks and seeing how the new springs work out. I'll try to remember to update on how the ride changes under load.
-Steve
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