Air springs for trailer towing

Recently went to a 23 TRD Sport, double cab, long bed, will be towing several different trailers at times but not very often and was wondering if air springs would be recommended. Trailer could weight up to the 5K range. Installing a brake controller first, but don't want to push the rear down to much with heavy tongue weights.

 

Welcome to the forum

A properly selected and adjusted weight distributing hitch makes a world of difference when towing a heavier trailer.

Lots of good info here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/towing.34/

 

I say air springs would work well for your application due to multiple different trailers. You can adjust the psi depending on trailer weight. Easy install too so I hear.

 

Yup, firestone is my go to, I'd also consider a gauge and compressor to help monitor and modulate pressures if you tow a lot.

WD Hitches are critical to these small trucks with frequent towing.

Read up!

 

Thanks for the advice and especially the WDH idea. I used them when towing my camper on my previous Ford 350 SD SRW and they sure made a difference. Didn't think of that for a small truck like the Tac.

 

No matter what it may generate, the Tacoma isn't an optimal tow platform.

These are only "handy duty" trucks, not heavy duty ones.

You will never achieve the secure, confident, unflappable feeling of the F-350.
That said, with good prep (WDH, air bags, proper loading, tire pressure) they will do an OK job, like a lot of things in life using your head gets you a long way.

 

yep - go of it. there were some on the gen3 bst for sale as of last night - new - good deal too. gl.

 

I’ve used both AirRide and Firestone’s on past trucks and can recommend either.
I researched both for my 3rd Gen and went with AirRide (+ a single AAL) because they mount further forward on the leaf spring where-as the Firestone’s mount right over the axle and I’d have to remove the bump-stops.

 

For simplicity and what your towing, I would just get sumosprings

 

^^^ This (heavy duty sumo's) and aal is what I run - no problems but the tongue weight is less than 300 lbs and the camper is sub 3K fully loaded. Not sure how a 5K weight camper would work out.

 

Thanks, just reading about sumo's, they look like a good alternative and are probably a lot easier to install. what does the aal stand for?

 

AAL = add a leaf
Kit to put an extra leaf in the spring pack.

 

Firestone ride rites, no further discussion. 300k on mine & they’ve been trouble free.

make sure you trim the edge of your gas tank skid plate upon installing or it can potentially catch the edge of the mounting hardware & crack the skid. (Edit) didn’t see you had long bed, tank might be far enough out of the way on that.