Timbren Helper Spring Recommendations for a 2017 Ram 3500 4x4 Diesel Short Bed

Question:

I own a 2017 Ram 3500 4x4 Diesel short bed, SRW and tow an 11,000 lb 5th wheel with a pin weight of about 2300 lbs. I am using a Demco auto slide hitch about 300 lbs and everything with us in the truck doesnt weigh more than about 700 pounds, so we are under the max cargo by about 500 lbs. When the 5th wheel is hooked up it causes the truck to squat more than I had hoped it has a cargo capacity of about 4K, so it is not overloaded. I am trying to decide if the timbren is the way to solve this issue. If so, there are two different weight capacities offered, 12,000 lb Code: T94VR and 8600 lb Code: TDR3500CA. Would the 12,000 be better for reducing the squatting? Would either one make the ride stiffer or affect the unloaded ride at all? I considered the Firestone system, but Id prefer not to have to mess around with filling the system with air, unless it is superior in some way.

asked by: Ron

Helpful Expert Reply:

I will be happy to help with some rear helper springs for your 2017 Ram 3500 4x4 diesel short bed. First, for your application (towing a 5th wheel trailer) I do recommend going with Timbren springs rather than air bags since Timbren springs do not require maintenance or for you to add/remove air from air bags. But air bags are superior in other ways including having the ability to level the bed side to side and adjust the ride quality to be more or less stiff.

For Timbren springs that fit your truck we have # T94VR and # TDR3500CA. The first set, # T94VR, is actually designed for severe service vehicles like commercial plows or utility trucks. Based on that I recommend going with # TDR3500CA which at 8,600 pounds has more than enough capacity for your stated load.

These springs will take care of the squat you are experiencing. If, when you are not towing the trailer, the ride seems stiff check to make sure there is 1/2 inch to 1-1/2 inches of space between the bottoms of the springs and the top of the axle. If the springs are less than 1/2 an inch then that would account for the stiff ride and the springs will need to be checked to make sure they are in the proper position.

expert reply by: Michael H