Air bag rough ride

I haven't seen anyone really complain about airbags yet...
I got fire stone ride rites with daystar cradled to handle my RTT and camping load BC I am not looking to lift at this time. We loaded up and went out with the RTT (~200lbs all included) and probably another 200 pounds in the bed. With 10psi in the bags, the ride was so stiff that the slightest bumps or ruts would bounce my head of the back of the seat. I took the cradles off, which seemed to help a little, and made the lower mounts which clamp around the leaf spring as loose as possible, then ran the bags with no air. It is still very, very stiff. I believe the issue is the lower mounts which clamp the leaf pack together several inches away from the U bolt on both the front and back. Even making them as loose as possible I can still see the leaves become closer to each other. Has anyone else experienced this or have a solution outside of custom made lower brackets?

 

Just a guess, but the air bag clamps may be preloading the overload springs. Usually, there is a gap between the ends of the overload springs and the leaf pack. Did that gap close (or get smaller)? If so, then that would make the ride a bit more harsh.

 

My install here:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/firestone-ride-rite-install-question.104472/
Mine do not ride rough when aired down.

 

Follow up...I got it all figured out. Turns out I overestimated the stock taco leaves and did not have near enough air in the bags (5psi) and was bottoming out a lot. I now keep 15psi in them and it’s good to go. I thought the issue was the way the lower brackets pull the leaf pack together-I tried mounting the lower brackets, with cradles, using monster zip ties around the axle housing and this did not change a thing. In a Hail Mary attempt, I tried putting a lot more air in the bags and it worked out. I also wound up ditching the cradles for the regular bolted mount. The cradles caused a loud slap after compression-rebound-compression, like the second bounce after going over a speed bump, and rebound felt kind of violent. I made a RTI ramp and found the cradles did not make a difference in articulation. Actually, I got 1/4” more ride height and articulation with the bolted lower mount, and rebound was not so abrupt.

 

i was having the same problems ill try and air mine up and see what happens

 

I found with empty bed the sweet spot has been 8-9 PSI and with a couple hundred pounds its closer to 15. Also its good to check pressure couple times a day to ensure you don't have a slow leak. You may be getting a rough ride and didn't realize your 10 PSI was "4" a day later.

 

ive got a bed cap 200# and decked system 210# with about 75# in the bed all the time. what PSI would u start with its at 10PSI with daystar caddles seems to be bottoming out. light put 15-20 in and see how it rides.

 

I do 15 with my RTT, which is around 230. You may want to try 20-25. I run about 30 with my full load out in the bed, which I guesstimate around 500lbs

 

im at a 500lb constant. iv got 20 now and it rides nice. i may try 30 tomorrow

 

ive put a go pro on mine to figure out why it was bottoming so much

 

Same here.

 

the daystar cradles don't seem to help the issue but im going to put 11" shocks on at some point and dont wanna loose travel.

 

I read somewhere (not Firestone literature) that they have internal bumpstops, but it sure did not look like it to me when I was messing with them prior to installing. Maybe Tacos are just too light. It seems like I can get it dialed in where it rides well when one rear wheel hits a bump, but if they both hit one at the same time it feels like it doesn't have suspension at all.

 

Let us know what you find. Think I'm starting to lean towards an AAL.

 

This PSI was perfect for me! Thanks for posting!

 

I have gone back to cradles and found that as I add more weight, with a diamondback and bedslide, the airbags seem to work better and better, at higher psi of course

 

Why put the cradle back on? I'm having a similar issue with my first generation. Thinking about taking the cradles off to reduce preload and allow more travel with my rear shocks

 

I added 5160 shocks and hammer hangers. I think the shocks made the biggest difference in improving the ride quality from the rear. They are +1" longer then stock. I wanted the rear axle to have as much movement as possible so I went back to the cradles.

 

Hmm, wondering if I need to do the same. More travel would help. I assume the 5100 wouldn't cut it for your setup?

 

I had 5100s on my last Taco and they were just ok. I also had an AAL and the front end probably cranked up too much. I also wanted the reservoir. I think they were the right choice for the kind of off roading I do, which is primarily covering a lot of ground at relatively high speed.

My setup still hits hard if both rear tires drop into potholes at the same time or speed bumps. I run about 28psi now with around 700lbs in the bed.