2015 rear suspension vs air bags

Good morning!
I recently posted about the trailer wiring on my 2015 Tacoma with a 3” lift. I have sorted that and am on to bigger questions. My truck has the classic Tacoma squat and of course this becomes much worse when I connect the trailer (dry weight 2800lb). I am wondering what is the best route to go for counteracting this. I can add a leaf or two for around $1000-$1400 but have also been told that air bags are a better option as the leaf(s) will make the ride a lot rougher/stiffer. Any advice is as always much appreciated! Cheers!

 

Ideally both. The springs should be replaced either way then airbags with fresh springs would be best.

a 3” lift is usually 1-2” lift in the rear, we would need to know what size of block is back there.

 

If you're towing that trailer all the time, or at least regularly, new leaf springs are the best bet. You wouldn't need airbags then. If you're trying to piece it together and keep costs down, a basic add-a-leaf will add some height and support, but won't work out as well as a full leaf pack. And you'll need something anyway to get 2-3" of rear lift before considering airbags.

We have a variety of options, from AAL, full leaf packs, to airbags.
https://exitoffroad.com/product-category/toyota/tacoma/tacoma-2nd-gen/leaf-springs-tacoma-2nd-gen/

 

I should mention I am located in Kelowna BC, Canada…

 

Contact Overland Outfitters in Surrey. They are one of best shops in the country that also specializes in Toyota's. @WormSquirts is the owner and is on this forum.

But yeah, new leafs are the way to go. 2nd gens had crap leaf springs to begin with, AAL just don't work for very long and make the ride considerably stiffer. It's best to just replace the whole leaf pack and then go from there.

If you need to get them shipped, ask for LTL freight shipping. Costs much less than a courier like pulorator or whoever. Only downside is you will need to go pick them up from your local depot.

 

Hey we can definitely help you out whichever way you want to go. Not sure exactly how you use your truck but I'll give you a little break down.

Upgrading your leaf springs will give you constant height, and will be rated for specific weights. If you're under that weight, the truck will ride stiffer and taller.

Airbags obviously let you adjust your ride height up and down so when you have extra weight you can add air, and when empty, you can let it out. The problem with airbags is that they are just air springs, which are super progressive, meaning that unless you have shocks that are valved for that, they will be pretty bouncy, even if you let all the air pressure out. The other problem with air bags is they don't let your truck flex out offroad without ripping the bags unless you use cradles like the ones from daystar.

All that said, it sounds like your trailer is super light. If it's only 2800lb, then your tongue weight is probably minimal, like a couple hundred pounds at most.

With that being the case, I would just go with leaf springs rated for your typical truck weight, whether that's just an empty bed, or you have a canopy or steel bumper or whatever.

We likely have what you need in stock, but if not can get it in! Deaver are the best leaf springs you can buy pretty much and we stock all of their stages 1 through 3 for whatever weight. They are a bit more expensive. The reason they are the best, other than quality material, is their design. They use more leafs that are thinner than other packs, which give a much more plush ride and the spring rate ramps up much smoother than a leaf pack with fewer thick leaves.

The next best option I would go with are the Icon RXT leafs, which come with an extra leaf and can be set up in 3 different ways for different weights. We typically stock these as well.

Next up you can just go for an AAL. If you get a quality one like the Deaver or Icon, they will work well for a long time (as long as your OE leaf pack is still in decent shape and not clapped out). If you get a crappy AAL thats like 1 single leaf, it's not going to last or ride well. We also try to stock the deaver and icon AAL's.

I don't know off the top of my head what we have in stock, but either way, shoot us an email and we can get you sorted! Also, if the timing works out, my dad lives in Westbank, and could bring them up there for you if you ordered from us next time he's here. If not we can just ship them.

info@overlandoutfitters.ca or call us 778-547-2444