Towing: Dakar vs. Icon AAL and air bag

I'm planning my suspension upgrade for my DCSB 4x4, and I had decided on going with an Icon stage 2 system, but with Dakars on the rear instead of the Icon AAL. I will be towing a boat and a camper quite a bit, and I don't want the bro lean when towing.

I had the package priced out with one of the TW vendors, then contacted a second TW vendor to get another quote. The second vendor advised against going with the Dakars because they have a lower rated capacity than the stock rear springs. This was news to me, as I was under the impression that the Dakars are pretty popular for trucks that will be towing a lot or loaded down with a topper and other gear.

This vendor suggested that I either:

A) Contact a custom spring shop such as Alcan and have them build a suitable rear spring pack or

B) Get the Icon AAL and use the money saved over Dakars to add an air assist system

Any thoughts from owners who have first hand experience with these setups?

 

Ill put my dakars against a stock leaf pack any day. I have 7 leafs on each side compaired to the stock 4. Ive put a 1000 pounds in the bed and the back barely goes down.

 

I call bullcrap! I tow a small camper (~3500 lbs), and the dakars barely sink with the 300+ lb tongue weight - and it tows great.

 

I was surprised to be told the Dakars aren't the way to go. They didn't even try to sell me anything else, even though they carry just about every option you can imagine for rear suspensions. Seemed really odd.

 

Dakars haul my 200 lb commercial cap and 250 lbs of tools every day with only about 3/4" of squat compared to unloaded

 

That's what I was thinking. My boat trailer has about 400lb tongue weight, and I always have some gear in the bed. An inch of sag should put me about level when towing.

 

I have the Icon 3 leaf AAL and Firestone Airbags. I've towed about 6K lbs and the only issues I had, besides the lack of power, was brakes. With the airbags, you can adjust the suspension to the payload. Everyday, I keep them around 5-10psi and the ride isn't effected. When I put weight back there or tow, I add about 30-40psi and it makes all the difference in the world. Of course, I don't have any experience with Dakars, but they were high on the list if I didn't get the airbags.