22’ Timberline Ride Quality

[p-rizzle]

I’ve got a 22’ Timberline with 60K miles and a set of Cooper Road &Trail tires that I had installed 10K miles ago. The ride quality in my Expy has really gone downhill over the past year. The shocks don’t recover well at all and I get quite a bobble when coming down off a curb.

Has anyone successfully upgraded the suspension in a way that improves the ride quality on the Timberlines? It’s to the point where I’m ready to trade it in. I’ve read that some have installed Bilstien’s but haven’t seen a real update on performance post install. I’m open to all options at this point. I’ll get absolutely crushed on trade in value, but this thing is turning into a bouncy rattle box.

 

[mtrosclair]

I have a '22 Timberline, but I've got half your mileage and still running on the stock tires. I'll definitely be paying attention to this thread hopefully I won't have your same issue at that mileage.

 

[p-rizzle]

Well…. I decided to go and test drive a brand new one today and WOW. The difference is unbelievable. Either my Cooper Tires have completely ruined the ride of this car, or the suspension is going. It’s a completely different vehicle. I’m half tempted to trade mine in for the new one.

Is it worth just changing the shocks and getting a new set of Wranglers, or is there more to the drivability of this think that I’m not thinking of?

 

[LazSlate]

Tires can ruin a ride. What psi are you running. I bought new tires and the they said to run 50+ psi and it was terrible.
Went down to 32 psi and the ride is nice and wear after 20k miles is perfect. Tire pressure is not soley determined by the tire mfg. its the usage and load and 99% of the time the sticker in the door is correct for any tires and brand.

 

[p-rizzle]

Tires can ruin a ride. What psi are you running. I bought new tires and the they said to run 50+ psi and it was terrible.
Went down to 32 psi and the ride is nice and wear after 20k miles is perfect. Tire pressure is not soley determined by the tire mfg. its the usage and load and 99% of the time the sticker in the door is correct for any tires and brand.

i was running then at 40psi, but took them down to 38psi a month ago in an effort to smooth things out. I’ll move them down to 35 to see if that makes a difference.

Deciding today if I’m just going to swap it for a new one that has the max trailer package and trailer backup assist… which I always wanted because no one in my family can back out fishing boat trailer down the ramp… Or, do I just go back to a set of Wranglers… see if the ride improves and if it still need some help, install the bilstein 5100’s.

So spend $3k to try and fix the issue on a vehicle that’s out of warranty, has developed quite a few rattles and sometimes has transmission hiccups, or $30K and get an all new one with a new warranty. The first option seems like the right one, but the second seems like less of a potential headache

 

[dlcorbett]

Hold out for the my25s if your looking to replace it. Get an updated expy eith a better ride, or get a better discount on the 24

 

[Deadman]

They've done zero changes to the suspensions on them, so I'm sure a new set of shocks on yours will realllllyyy help.

 

[ib_jigged]

FWIW, I have had terrible luck with Cooper tires in the past. New shocks and tires may be your best best. Although your choice of tire can effect the ride. If you want a good all terrain vs an all season, you will most likely compromise the ride.

 

[LazSlate]

Some things on the bilsteins. Depending on the model you get it could stiffen the ride as different bilstein models add compression.
A bouncy ride are bad shocks since there is little to no rebound dampening. Also the load range on the tires has an effect on smoothness. Higher load ranges have thicker sidewalls. I bought some bilsteins for my van and they had 3 models I went with the lightest non-service duty ones and it definitely made the ride more harsh due to the increased compression. Some shocks only account for rebound, the bilsteins do both that is why they are so popular.

 

[p-rizzle]

Really appreciate all your reply’s. So happy I came across the forum.

So the dealership I work with has agreed to drop the price of the Black Timberline (mine is tri-coat white) they have to 10% off MSRP… looks like most are still selling at 5% below. Additionally, they are willing to give me top of the scale Kelly Bluebook trade in. So my out of pocket would be sub $30K. They are also offering 0% financing for 36 months. And it has the trailer backup that mine doesn’t as previously mentioned. I think I’m gonna do it.

I just worry I’ll spend the $3K on tires and shocks and will still struggle with all of the rattles that have shown up and will wish I just started over. I really think these cooper tires being overinflated caused a lot of the issues I’m experiencing.

Was gonna pick it up tonight, but am going to sleep on it instead.

Thanks again for all of the help. I’m still considering the tire and shock swap, but leaning towards the new black one

 

[p-rizzle]

After sleeping on it, I’ve decided to take the advice of the forum and at least wait to see what’s on offer with the 25’s before making a change.

Bumping the tire pressure down to 35 did result in a noticeable improvement and I think I can live with it for the next 6 months.

@LazSlate: thanks for the info on the Bilatiens. Are you saying the ride could get harsher if I go that route? But would be less bouncy than it is now?

 

[duneslider]

I put bilsteins on my xlt and thought the ride was night and day better. It was more firm and composed, not harsh at all. It didn't bounce and wallow or sway. Even towing was noticeably better at controlling the weight hanging off the back end. In my case I used the 5100's. I liked them much more than what I am experiencing with the CCD on the platinum I have now.

The stock non-ccd shocks were not impressive at all.

 

[p-rizzle]

I put bilsteins on my xlt and thought the ride was night and day better. It was more firm and composed, not harsh at all. It didn't bounce and wallow or sway. Even towing was noticeably better at controlling the weight hanging off the back end. In my case I used the 5100's. I liked them much more than what I am experiencing with the CCD on the platinum I have now.

The stock non-ccd shocks were not impressive at all.

Thank you duneslider! Appreciate the info

 

[Deadman]

Just remember the new one will most likely rattle just as bad after some time, so I wouldn't get too bought into the rattle itself....... Vehicles today are NOT made to last. The dealers are making big coin because they are guaranteed many many repairs.

 

[p-rizzle]

Bilstein 5100’s ordered. Gonna try those first and then tires if they don’t help.

 

[p-rizzle]

First day with the Bilstein’s and I can honestly say I’m happy I went for it. The Expy feels much more sporty and the bobble has virtually disappeared. I think I may even be able to stick with the Coopers!

Definitely the honeymoon period, but I’ll keep you all updated as I put more miles on it

 

[p-rizzle]

I ended up replacing the Coopers with Michelin Defender LTX MS2’s and now the ride transformation is complete. The Coopers were definitely harsh and loud compared to the Michelin’s, but that’s not a very fair comparison as they’re two different categories of tire. I think the Wranglers that come with the Timberline are intentionally on the softer side to improve ride quality. The downside to those tires is that they lose quite a bit of grip in the wet as they wear.

The new tires definitely neuter the overall look of the Timberline, but the ride quality paired with the Bilsteins is what I was hoping for. Maybe a bit in the stiffer side, but it’s a massive improvement and I can now stop thinking about getting a new vehicle. Overall, I spent just over $2600 for the Bilsteins and Michelins. The shocks wereand installed by some very knowledgeable fellas at an off-road store here in Cincinnati (Total Off-road). I ended up going to Costco for the tires as we were there shopping and I found out they could get it done same day. I figured I might as well go for it.

Anyway, if you start to feel your Timberline suspension going, then I think you can do yourself a huge favor by replacing the Shocks and Tires. I think the OEM shocks and Tires would have been just as good a choice as the setup I chose as it would achieve a similar result and also keep the tough look of the Timberline.

I’ll be towing a boat up and back from MI next week and am hoping that experience is vastly improved.

Thanks again for all of the thoughts/advice

 

[Left Coast Geek]

Tires can ruin a ride. What psi are you running. I bought new tires and the they said to run 50+ psi and it was terrible.
Went down to 32 psi and the ride is nice and wear after 20k miles is perfect. Tire pressure is not soley determined by the tire mfg. its the usage and load and 99% of the time the sticker in the door is correct for any tires and brand.

Tire pressure is entirely a function of the tire size and vehicle weight, use the vehicle recommended pressures if you're running stock size tires..The tire sidewall pressure rating is for that tire at its maximum load, which is likely far higher than the max load of your vehicle.

4G expeditions with 18" wheels and stock size tires run 35 PSI, while 22" stock wheels run 39 PSI. I might run 5 PSI higher on the rears if I'm really heavily loaded AND towing long distances, I swapped the 22's my Ltd Stealth came with for a set of F150 18's.

 

[p-rizzle]

Well… after towing the boat 700 miles, I’m struggling to find a reason to keep the Expy. Our boat has been stored up in Michigan since before I traded my 2021 Tahoe Z-71 for the Timberline. Since then the Timberline has really only towed the boat short distances (anside for a long trip in May) and moderate speeds and was pretty good.

It’s not good at speed on anything but smooth roads. I noticed this before the bilsteins with its first long trip up and back, and it’s just as bad with the Bilsteins. The squat is also considerably worse with the bilsreins which surprised me. The Tahoe was a much more comfortable tow vehicle as previously mentioned.

I’m going to have the shop bump up the rear shocks a level to see if that helps at all and will also re-measure the boat tongue weight which should be right at 10%. Tow weight is right around 5500 lbs on my Vexus DVX 19.

Any other suggestions?

 

[Deadman]

Well… after towing the boat 700 miles, I’m struggling to find a reason to keep the Expy. Our boat has been stored up in Michigan since before I traded my 2021 Tahoe Z-71 for the Timberline. Since then the Timberline has really only towed the boat short distances (anside for a long trip in May) and moderate speeds and was pretty good.

It’s not good at speed on anything but smooth roads. I noticed this before the bilsteins with its first long trip up and back, and it’s just as bad with the Bilsteins. The squat is also considerably worse with the bilsreins which surprised me. The Tahoe was a much more comfortable tow vehicle as previously mentioned.

I’m going to have the shop bump up the rear shocks a level to see if that helps at all and will also re-measure the boat tongue weight which should be right at 10%. Tow weight is right around 5500 lbs on my Vexus DVX 19.

Any other suggestions?View attachment 81780

Change the rear sway bar. All your at speed issues will go away.