Will the Timbren Silent Ride Raise or Lower My Trailer Height?

Question:

I have modified a classic toy hauler to carry our Mustang race car. My issue is with the leaf springs loading and unloading the car requires the front of the camper to be at maximum jack height and also need 8 foot extensions on the ramp door. How much difference is there in the ride height of the trailer at normal inflation pressure vs. fully deflated? I am wondering if the height difference will make loading and unloading the car easier...

asked by: Scott R

Expert Reply:

It seems like the end goal for this is going to be to lower your trailer a little bit; if I'm misunderstanding what the end goal is here please let me know.

I'll start this off by saying that the Timbren Silent Ride # TSR14KT01 is not an air ride system and there are no components that inflate or deflate, so it's not going to be adjustable in the manner that you're hoping. What the Silent Ride system will do is create a much softer ride for your toy hauler by using rubber springs to cushion the ride and replace your leaf spring suspension. This system is ideal for car haulers because of the additional cushion that it supplies.

With that being said the Silent Ride could possibly lift your trailer a bit and make what you're experiencing worse, depending on your current suspension's condition. The measurement from the center of the axle to the top of the trailer frame once the Silent Ride is installed is going to be 6-1/8", so you can use this measurement to determine whether or not this will raise or potentially lower your trailer.

There are a few other ways you could potentially lower your trailer; the first would be if your trailer suspension has the leaf springs placed over the axle, you can use an Over/Under Conversion Kit # K71-385-00 to move the springs below the axle. This would lower your trailer by the diameter of the axles on your trailer-which is likely 3". Another option to lower your trailer would be to replace your tires with smaller ones; if you can let me know what size tires you currently have, as well as the GVWR on your trailer, I can attempt to locate a smaller tire that will still be rated for your trailer. The last available option would be to shorten the shackle straps and hangers, which would require welding new hangers onto the trailer.

The only other option might be to get ride of your axles and switch your trailer to a Timbren Axle-less Suspension Kit like the # TASR7KS02, which will put the center of your trailer wheel exactly 3/8 inch below the frame of the trailer. So you could calculate the diameter of your trailer tire, divide by 2, and then add 3/8 inch to know distance from bottom of frame to ground. This kit would require two sets of these axle-less suspensions to replace the axles on the tandem axle trailer, but you will have a significantly lowered trailer-which seems to be the end goal in this case.

I've linked some informational videos to some of the options for you to have a look at, as well.