variable loads... HD leaf pack or ride rite airbags?

I have a dilemma, I basically want my truck to absorb whoops and do high speed offroading without going full long travel. Decided Bilstein 8112/8100s would be next best thing.

However I also want my truck to handle well on the daily where I only carry 300lb constant load (bed rack, decked system, and tools). But I also want it to handle well when I'm loaded down for camping and have 800-1,000lbs (add RTT, Coolers, camping gear, and extra passengers).

Thats a big swing! I know I can't have the best of both worlds and the obvious solution is to just get an HD leaf pack to handle all the weight... but then my truck would handle super stiff when not loaded down

My newest idea is to get an Icon RXT leaf pack and leave it at level 1 which should be ideal with my constant 300lb load (I want minimal lift anyways and don't want it stiff), then install ride rite airbags for when I load up for camping to compensate for the weight.

Am I missing something or is this the best solution in your opinion?

Think Icon RXTs with Bilstein 8100s and air bags will get me the load handling capabilities without being stiff on the daily?

 

I don't think airbags are meant for offroading

 

Custom leaf packs setup and designed specifically for what you are trying to do. Deaver would be my choice but you also have Alcan.

 

That was my original plan but I can't really set them up for both can I? At least without removing my leaf packs to add a leaf before expeditions.

If I buy a pack meant to handle 300lbs it'll be overloaded with 800. And I get a pack to handle 800lbs won't it ride like shit when I'm unloaded for daily driving? :/

 

Well this would be a problem

 

If you dont care about lift then you'd be good with the OME 95r pack. Its rated for 300lbs. I just put on the 96r with the only thing in my bed being a softopper. It's stiffer than stock but I think its great. I had a single leaf AAL before and it was worse.

"I have a dilemma, I basically want my truck to absorb whoops and do high speed offroading without going full long travel." That statement though, is kind of a hard pill to swallow. High speed and undulating terrain is best handled with more travel. Soo, you might want to check your expectations or you're going to be disappointed.

 

Young or older guy?

Dakars with the AAL would be a nice middle ground. They'll handle the 300lb constant load and won't be harsh. They'll handle the expo weight as well.

Compromise has to happen somewhere and bags aren't idea for offroad. They're just something else to break.

 

I think I'm young but 33 maybe not lol.

Thanks for the info yeah might be getting too complicated trying to dance in both worlds, and for offroad the more simple the better. I guess I'll just start with a leaf pack setup more for my daily needs and just see how it goes when I'm loaded down, maybe just add leafs from there.

 

Thanks for the info, noticed the OME 95R adds a 2" lift. Theres really no way around that right? Like if I get a leafpack designed to handle more weight there must be lift? Ideally trying to keep my overall lift around 1" max but maybe with the weight I have it'll end up that way anyways.

And yeah not expecting long travel performance, rode in a few LTs in the desert and know I won't get close to that. Just also rode in a lot of friend's rides with King/Icon setups that were just stiff AF, might be great for flexing but felt like my OEM suspension was handling washboard type stuff better than their $3k setups, at least comfort and control wise (their setups are I'm sure way more durable I've already blown and replace both of my rear shocks). Hoping the Bilstein 8112s will strike a middle ground, not planning on jumping or hitting serious whoops at 70+. There's a specific road thats like 10 miles of dirt with a lot of ruts getting to my favorite surf spot in Baja, basically just want to fly down that without shattering my teeth like my buddy's King shocks seems to do, and not bottoming out constantly like my OEM setup does.

 

The 95R is closer to 2.5" or 3". You could take out a leaf and it will lower the height but it wont be able to carry to load increase. The extra leafs help with that, but the height of the leafs equate to a ride height increase, so yeah you're basically right on that part. Sounds like maybe the RXTs are a better for you, since it seems like they ride a little lower with weight in them. I just loaded ~380lbs on my 96Rs the last couple days, it only dropped the height maybe .5".