Timbrens and Off-Roading

550 Views 7 Replies 6 Participants Last post by MNTitanXDJon, 17 d ago

BlueXDKC

Discussion Starter · 1 mo ago

I have a set of Timbrens that I bought a year ago, and they are still not installed. I'm thinking about finally installing them. I tow landscaping equipment, such as my skid steer and mini-ex on a somewhat regular basis. The truck squats around 1.5" with the 9k lb load of the skid and trailer. The only time it squats more and the steering becomes light is when I rent and tow an 8,000 lb mini-ex on my 3k lb trailer, so 11k pounds. I've only had to do that once so far.

So I figure I might as well install these Timbrens. My question is will the Timbrens interfere or perhaps possibly damage things when I take the truck off road, when the trail gets a little gnarly and the 4 corners of the truck are articulating over big rocks and ruts in the trail?

I live in Colorado and sometimes I take this truck camping in Colorado and Utah, which sometimes involves some moderate off-roading.

I can live with a little bit of squat when towing, if having them installed will impede my truck's ability off-road.

Thanks!

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1 - 8 of 8 Posts

NavyCuda

· #2 · 1 mo ago

I have very limited off roading experince in my XD. However, I've had it on some forestry roads and what surprised me is I had it on two wheels, front left rear right and I didn't realize it until the truck teetered over. I felt no flex in the truck itself.

I don't know if that helps.

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Two Yeets

· #3 · 1 mo ago

That frame is thiccc

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POBrien

· #4 · 27 d ago

I added Timbrens to my 19 PR for towing our camper a few years ago. I also like to get out and hit the trails as well and have not noticed any change in performance

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Gravity

· #5 · 27 d ago

Timbrens are basically taller bump-stops. They will absolutely reduce rear suspension travel. That’s a jounce-spring’s job.

If you want to be able to maintain factory travel, but still have the option of some overload then go with airbags, with detached cradles, and remove the valve stems (while off-roading). You’ll have to do your own research as to which airbags officially support this, and if those airbags have internal jounce springs, and what - if any - loss of articulation may result.

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NavyCuda

· #6 · 27 d ago

I sometimes wonder about having another leaf added, then I remember I haven’t actually hit the bump stops yet.

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Gravity

· #7 · 27 d ago

An additional leaf will surely increase the spring-rate, carrying your rated load - more confidently. But adding a leaf will absolutely compromise unladen and lightly loaded ride quality - as well as any lightly-loaded off-roading articulation.

I had Timbrens for years, and took them off for cradled bags. The Timbrens offer some unencumbered flexibility. Maybe 1.0-1.5”. But then - ZERO FLEX. Attached-inflated-bags offer just a hint on unloaded flex (compression), then realistically limit out. (Some) Unattached-cradled bags can be entirely deflated, and driven uninflated, without any damage. Giving you realistically full factory articulation, or the option of increasing ride comfort up to your rated max payload, by running them inflated. In fact, if you’re good at math/engineering, and you run a modest rear lift block, you can get both (simultaneously).

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MNTitanXDJon

· #8 · 17 d ago

I have a 21 P4X with Timbrens. I got them to help with a little squat and the trailer bouncing when hitting bit bumps on the road. I have had the truck on trails with big rocks, leaned over 15+ degrees to one side, bounced the frame off tons of stuff and never felt the Timbrens affected the handling. With no trailer - I have a fair amount of clearance between then Timbrens and the frame. I would guess if you bottomed out really hard you would damage the Timbren (Not likely) before doing anything to the truck. I was impressed with how well such a large truck handled everything.

On the other side - if you install them and they suck for what yours doing - bring tools and the factory bump stops. It's an easy swap on the trail

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