Air bags.

I have an 06 tacoma with a 2.5in OME lift and a lone peak camper. When I have all my camping gear and bike on the back of the truck, it has a good sag but for my daily driver I keep all that stuff out. Is it OK to use air bags while driving through the desert or some medium off roading? I don't really want to put a beefed up rear on there if I don't have to since mostly running empty in the back except the camper. Here's a picture with just the bike and here's without

 

You will hate the air bags when you aren't loaded up, and they can't make up for crappy leafs. A good set of leafs is the way to go, even if you do decide to add air bags later. The OEM (and OME if you have those) leafs suck, so any constant weight like your camper is well into the "have to" territory in terms of needing to beef things up. Look at Deaver or Archive. They will ride smoother than what you have now when empty, and easily handle the extra weight without sagging.

Rear suspension is very much a "buy once, cry once" thing. Do not cheap out or you will regret it.

 

Air bags really just serve a leveling function right? I would assume even with good leaf springs, you may still need bags to not be carolina squatting.

 

Depends on the application, and how much rake you start with. They basically replace the bump stop. But they also have some squish to them, so it's kinda like adding an adjustable air spring. But without shocks tuned for air springs, the ride quality drops. So you don't want to rely on them too heavily.

The other problem is, when you don't need them you have this rubber balloon connecting your leafs to your frame. And even with no pressure in them they still impede the free travel of the leaf springs. So not ideal for occasional use.

Starting with good leaf springs will give much more progression in the spring rate so that you can handle more weight before squatting, but also get a smoother ride when empty. And they usually add lift to give even more room before you start riding on the bump stops. The more leafs in the pack usually mean the more progressive they are. Which usually happens to also make them more expensive. Hence the don't cheap out part. Deavers and Archive leafs will handle a good 800-1000 lbs before they start to squat too much. And progressive bump stops are always an option too, like Timbren or Sumos. They will be taller, so they engage sooner, but softer so you won't feel it nearly as much.

Air bags are just the relatively cheap option to support extra weight. But unless you are adding extreme weight often, like 1000lbs+, they are not the best option overall. I know quite a few guys who ended up removing their air bags and getting better leaf springs.

 

I went directly with OME HD and airbags when I bought my taco so I don't know how much the bags affect comfort compared to stock. I would say probably rougher. I can say they definitely work when adding weight. My Taco is loaded from about 300# with just the deck and I probably add another 700 #+ when I have my ATV, passenger(s) and loaded up under the deck. I add about 10 psi in the bags empty, and 30 loaded. The bags did provide too much rebound for my taste with the OME nitrochargers, so I installed BP-51's in the back and maxed the settings. I have no problem driving fast on rough logging roads and medium off-roading with that setup.

 

The air bags will patch your problem, but if you want to fix your problem, the answer is upgrading your leaf packs. Lots of good options, and lots of opinions on best ones. Deavers, Icon, General, etc.

 

Thanks for all the info. I'm leaving towards Deaver, not the first time I've thought this direction

 

Have a look at Sumo Springs as an air bag alternative but as others have said with that much weight being carried replacement leaf springs might be a better idea.

 

I went with Deaver