Timbren Independent Suspension

[Waggs]

Hi All,

Just wondering if anyone has any experience using the Timbren Axless suspension in an offroad situation. I found a few reviews on US sites and I understand that they are used on some of the Bushranger campers.

I want to increase my load carrying capacity on my camper trailer from 1200kg to 1600kg. I currently run Outback Alko leaf springs and a solid axle and 10" brakes. I need to change up to 12" brakes, heavier axle and bigger springs. I priced the option of just upgrading what I already have with Heavier Alko springs axle and brakes and the cost is similar to upgrading to the Timbren system.

The Timbren system comes with a lifetime warranty and would significantly increase clearance. I would be getting it welded to my subframe by an engineering firm rather than bolting it on.

http://www.timbren.com.au/products-page/3500hd/asr35hds02/

If anyone has any feedback that would be great.

[Metters]

It resembles the over fifty year old Mini rubber cone suspension but the Mini had shock absorbers.  https://www.google.com.au/search?q=mini+rubber+cone+suspension&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjQjfaJ_vvUAhUJhbwKHaefC2oQsAQIJw&biw=1920&bih=974   This suspension should also have them. 

Maybe they have some kind of out of sight friction shock in the pivoting point but if they have they don't mention it.  Shocks control the oscillations of the spring and help keep the wheel in contact with the ground.  They also dampen the release of the built up energy in a compressed spring and prevent it from trying to ram the wheel back into the ground.  That can break wheel studs, the wheel bearings and the end of axles.  That has happened far too many times on trailers.

I would be asking the company a lot of questions before buying it.

[UIZ733]

I cant help with your question/s, however it is a very neat piece of kit. Looks very well designed and made.

[Waggs]

Thanks Metters. These are the questions that I had as well. They have a rebound rubber cushion at the front which absorbs and dampens the rebound of the suspension arm.

I am going back to the engineering place on Friday to do a final quote and organize a time to do the install. He said to me the other day that the local distributor had been selling these for a while now and as yet had not had to supply a single replacement part for any of these units which is good to hear. He said he has installed them on machinery trailers and council vehicles very successfully and was highly recommending them as a solution for an independent suspension upgrade.

In doing a little bit more searching I have found that Patriot Campers are installing these on some of their campers now too. This makes me a little more confident. https://www.campertraileraustralia.com.au/campertrailer-reviews/1604/patriot-x2-review

I would be interested to know if anyone else has used these in an off road camper and what they think of them.

[SimonM]

Riptide Campers are also using it on their offroad teardrop - http://riptidecampers.com.au/riptide-campers-tsunami/

[Metters]

They have a rebound rubber cushion at the front which absorbs and dampens the rebound of the suspension arm.

That sounds like a spring being used to dampen another spring.  If that works efficiently then it makes me wonder why the British Motor Corporation that produced the Mini did not do the same thing.  It would have resulted in a considerable cost saving over having to design and produce telescopic shocks and their mounting points.

[Waggs]

Hi SimonM,

Thanks for the link. I love the workmanship that goes in to some of those tear drop campers. They look great.

I also found a couple of other manufacturers that use the Timbren system. Patriot Campers have added this to their Patriot 2 camper in a 1600kg class and Prime Campers in WA have added them to their top of the range Highlander at 2330kg capacity. The prime campers site has some really interesting videos. If you take the link to youtube they have half a dozen more of the Highlander at a place called Jakem Farm 4x4 park. The trailer seems to travel fairly smoothly and doesn't bounce much more than the tow vehicle.

I will definitely be keeping that appointment on Friday. At $1200 for suspension and axles this looks like a very solid system.

https://www.campertraileraustralia.com.au/campertrailer-reviews/1604/patriot-x2-review

http://primecampertrailers.com.au/trailer/highlander/

[tryagain]

I also found a couple of other manufacturers that use the Timbren system. Patriot Campers have added this to their Patriot 2 camper in a 1600kg class and Prime Campers in WA have added them to their top of the range Highlander at 2330kg capacity. The prime campers site has some really interesting videos. If you take the link to youtube they have half a dozen more of the Highlander at a place called Jakem Farm 4x4 park. The trailer seems to travel fairly smoothly and doesn't bounce much more than the tow vehicle.

I will definitely be keeping that appointment on Friday. At $1200 for suspension and axles this looks like a very solid system.

I have a not "top of the range" Prime ranger and while it suit's the purpose of getting us away, I'd wouldn't place too much stock on them choosing it based on the quality of what I have got. Patriot is a very different story though. I imagine they would have done a pretty exhaustive assessment of what is available before choosing the Timbren so that is a good sign. 

It looks like a similar setup/concept to the Duratorque

[Waggs]

Hi Tryagain,

Thanks for the post. Just wondering if yours has the Timbren suspension?

[tryagain]

Hi Tryagain,

Thanks for the post. Just wondering if yours has the Timbren suspension?

Nope, just leaf springs/shocks that would have come with it in the container from China.