How to keep a TRD Pro from squatting while towing?

What PSI you running?

 

I wasn’t too worried about the squat. Drove from Upstate NY to Boise ID like this. The trailer was as full as possible.

 

I havent gotten any run time to test different pressures yet, it’s been parked since I found the leak after install.

 

I have the Helwig airbags and one of mine leaked in the same location after it was installed. I emailed their tech department with a video showing the leak and they had a new bag at my house in about five days. It sucks having to pull everything apart to replace it. They don’t recommend putting air in the bag without the bag being installed but I threaded a male airline fitting into the hole of the new one and inflated it with 10 lbs of air. Sprayed it down with leak detector and it was fine. I don’t know why these aren’t checked before shipping them out. Good luck.

 

I keep mine around 8psi when empty. When loaded up for camping and towing my small camper I run about 20psi.

 

Just heard back, they are sending me out a new bag. He did act hesitant to do so, because I bought on Amazon.... I almost just want to throw the whole thing back in the box and return it and get new leafs like I originally planned.

 

Unless you buy from an official dealer, they seem to be a PITA to deal with. Glad they are sending you a new one, though -- my last kit was missing the 2 small brackets that clamp to the frame and they wouldn't help me because I bought the kit online from Walmart. Apparently Walmart and Amazon are not official dealers. I just made the brackets myself.

If my loads didn't vary so much, I'd consider new leafs. But half the year I am toting 500 lbs., the other half not much at all. And in the spring, or when I am helping someone move (like college daughters), I go from zero to full multiple times in a day. Bags are the best option for me, but leafs are probably better if toting a constant heavy load.

 

Right, I didn’t want to mess with leafs also because of varying loads. I do have a shell, HC rear bumper with swingout so I carry roughly 350-400 lbs constantly... but also tow a trailer all the time and just thought this would be the best bet. Still hopeful it works out like I thought it would.

 

Best to get a new bag but I'm wondering if Stan's Sealant would work as a temporary fix.

 

I second that. I tow a travel trailer that weighs approx. 3500 lbs fully loaded. I have an Equal-i-zer WDH with 4-point sway control, which is great, but I noticed that I would occasionally get some slight porpoising over undulating surfaces, like concrete bridges, etc. So, installed the 1000 lbs Sumosprings and that made a big improvement. Plus, the truck stays level, even when I add additional weight, like a cooler or kayak.

Install is incredibly easy. Loosen the u-bolts, remove factory bump stop, install base plate, raise the body, screw Sumospring onto base, lower and tighten to specs (52 lbs). Rinse...repeat. I did the install in my driveway in less than forty-five minutes and only with hand tools. Throw in an air gun and a lift and you could probably do it in about ten minutes.

 

I have the bags. Only way to go. Variable unlike sumos.

 

They’ve been great since getting my replacement bag from firestone. I had 1000 pounds of concrete in the bed a couple weeks ago while hauling my 18’ car hauler loaded with steel and all was well.

 

I’ve got a 2018 TRD OR(factory tow package)with Dakar HD leaf springs and Fox DSCs. I have my 8 year old ARB RTT mounted on bedbars and with all my camping gear, still had a little squat.
I also tow an Airstream occasionally so I decided to use the Roadmaster Active Suspension Kit that’s basically a variable coil tension spring that bolts on top of the leafs to help support them. They’ve worked great so far and they’re pretty simple mechanically so there’s not much that can fail, especially catastrophically.

I love airbags and have them on my lowered vehicles but didn’t want to worry about a potential leaking bag, airline, faulty controller, tank, valve, etc while towing a 5,000lb Airstream trailer with the taco.

The sumo springs are ok and are basically just big progressive bump-stops but I didn’t want to have to take them off every time I wanted to go wheelin, then reinstall my custom bump stops. The sumo springs are about $200 if I remember correctly.
The Roadmasters are about $450 but I think you get a lot more benefit out of them for the money spent... A better ride that’s adjustable, they also limit axle wrap, wheel hop, vehicle sway and forward & side body roll.

Also weight distributing hitches can be your friend. It still amazes me when I see people pulling huge boats and trailers close to maxing out their gross tongue weight,with a basic ball hitch. Just my 2 cents

 

If you require variable height control, they certainly would be the best option. However, after weighing all the pro's and con's, I couldn't justify the additional cost.

Okay, truth be told, when I pitched the idea of air bags to my wife, she coyly said, "Well...okay...if you think we need that, then go ahead. Seems kind of expensive though...you'd think if the Tacoma was such a great tow vehicle, they'd have equipped it with a proper rear suspension." Ouch!

Yea, I didn't need to be reminded of that for the rest of my life, so I took my gift card, the $53 in Amazon credit and ordered the Sumo's. I think I ended up paying about $108 dollars, less shipping and everyone, including my wife is happy. ;-)

 

Towing was down on the list of people's preferences.
Funny how people will drop a grand on wheels just because they look good though.

 

I assume boat trailers rarely using WDH is due to surge braking not playing well with a weight distribution hitch. Yes there are some models out there that do both, but it seems pretty rare, and I have never seen one in person. And dont want to put electric brakes into some saltwater...

 

Nope, equalizer has been making surge brake compatible WD hitches for 70 years. I think it’s a matter of cost and need...and you really only need a WD hitch if you’re hauling a boat that weighs close to half of what your tow vehicle weighs, for the most part. Also many boat manufacturers run electric brakes on their trailers now as they’re easier to install, cheaper and easier to maintain. Thankfully Insulated wire, heatshrink and waterproof connectors have come along way.

 

On the Firestone air bag front have any, some, (most?) At some point installed new extended shocks to help with an empty bed ride? I like the air bag setup (though need to trace a small air leak this week) and they work great with a decent load on my dual axle utility trailer, (very glad went with a dual axle as tongue weight is lighter).

BUT, unloaded I have tried everything from 5- 22 psi and still getting the harsh ride where certain conditions cause a sharp hit to suspension. I am considering 5100's all around. (Keep in mind its an SR with the worst shocks in the lineup)
Recently resorted to always leaving a couple hardened bags of ready mix in the bed, which helps but not the long term answer. Thoughts welcomed.

 

For your situation the solution might be a lighter leaf pack tuned to your bed when empty then the bags would be there to prevent bottoming with additional load.
An empty bed will ride harsh because it's simply not enough mass to stay put and force the suspension to move instead. What air bags excell at is adding the ability to adjust the total spring rate(leaves plus bags) to match a variety of additional loads beyond what the leaves alone can carry and allow adequate travel without bottoming.

My base model has rediculously soft springs, possibly shot since I bought it used and with the cap and nothing in the bed my minimum pressure is 20psi to prevent bottoming. The ride is too soft. I should really either replace the springs or add a leaf so that the ride when empty and the bags are at 5psi is tolerable.

 

Every trim truck has the same ducking shitty Toyota springs. Those are the first thing anyone should upgrade.

Airbags with cradles are probably the best compromise for towing and off-road but still just that. A compromise and slanted towards towing