Leaf Pack or Air Bags

That sounds like a cool setup! Are you running stock suspension?

 

I have stock non-TSB springs in the rear with single leaf AAL to level. Front is 5100s with 886s. Airbags are setup for load assist only, not to lift.

 

I used 35 psi when I hauled a very heavy pontoon boat that I rented. ive also added air a few times when hauling firewood in a 5x10 trailer loaded over the top while having my truck bed full of camping gear and 4 adults in the truck. Just hauling the firewood, I rarely added air. I also hauled a heavy Uhaul dual axle trailer once that was pretty heavy and a car trailer with a frame and drivetrain on it.

My 2014 is stock with no bags and it rides great, even pulling my 16' boat. My 2006 had the bags and I kept 5psi in them. The ride was slightly firm and had less body roll than stock. On occasion an unknowing passenger would ask if I had air shocks since they noticed the firmer ride. As an every day driver, you really didn't notice much ride difference. You will however notice it every time that you go over a speed bump

Air ride now makes a bag with internal snubbers that you can run at zero psi. That interests me but having not seen them, I can't comment on the quality as compared to the Firestones.

Btw, you can run 100 psi in RideRites. It would take a better man than me to do so though...lol.

 

Running 35 psi to level truck is going to result a in a very rough ride. Lift truck with springs, suport load with air.

 

Gearheadsw, I agree with your statement, I think its a good analogy. Overcompensating with air will give you a horrible ride. Adding a little capacity or leveling out a little bit with air is fine. Too much and your riding a Harley hard tail with every hit going up your spine.

 

Thanks everyone for your responses. I think I'm leaning toward the airbags, but not 100% convinced yet. Anyone have a good suggestion of where to buy the airbags (or leaf packs as well) in Canada. Not a big deal as I can have them shipped to my sister in the US if I have to buy them there.

 

I have a 2008 off road, suspension totally stock non TSB. I couldn't even look at the bed without major sag and bottoming out. I added Ride-rites and I swear by them. I run them with about 8 psi, and in my opinion the ride is way better. The difference it makes when towing is just ridiculous. I can't believe I even towed without them. I've been thinking about leveling the front, and when I do I think I will add the Daystar cradles.

 

I had a set of Alcan HD leaf springs that raise the rear only 3/4 but allow for a level ride with my atv in the bed on an older Taco. They rode great with weight in the back but when unloaded the sometimes were a little too stiff (city driving really). This time around I went with the Firestone airbags because I didn't want a stiffer ride. You can fine tune them to what you want. I usually use 12 PSI for daily driving (I have a cap before it I ran around 10 PSI) and 15 to 17 PSI for towing. All things considered I prefer the airbags unless my leaf pack was worn out. And never liked my aal...new leaf pack is hands down the better option.

 

I run both.
Currently have OME Dakar leafs with Firestone airbags.
In another day or three I'll be swapping out the Dakars for AllPro Expeditions, adding Daystar cradles, and doing a shackle flip.
Afaik, you only need the cradles if you're lifting.

My needs are vastly different than yours. 50% of my miles are off-road, usually expedition style (GOBS of weight!). My normal, around-town curb weight is 5,000#. I've got armor, big tires, OBA, and all kinds of other weight-adding stuff. All of it adds up to the need for a leaf pack (normal daily driving, and light off-roading) AND air bags (when I do my week-plus-long trips with all the gear and supplies).

If your primary concern is occasional use for weight, go with airbags.
If you find yourself regularly carrying more weight than that cooler of beer you mentioned, then go with a leaf pack.

Frankly, I would bet a sixer that you will eventually want to upgrade your leafs no matter what you decide on now. The stock leafs are just terrible, and you'll discover how bad over time. If you go with airbags now, you'll likely end up adding leafs later. If you do leafs now, you may decide they do just what you want and opt not to do airbags at all.

 

I have been running Ride Rites on a first Gen Tundra (very close in size to a 2nd gen Taco) for about 10 years. I have had zero issues with them and love the versatility. I run 5-10psi normally with a medium load at all times. When I haul wood and such I bump them to 25-30psi. They work great all around for my use and I would put them on my Taco should it end up needing them.

 

The ride was to me was good. I originally did have a space lift but swapped it out when the stock leafs wore out after just loading the quad 3x's. I just added the dakar aal recently to help with the added weight. Now I leave 5 psi to be used as bump stop until after the shackle flip kit is installed.

 

To be honest i dont know. Others will have to chime in on this one. But it would help alot from bottoming out under loads where stock leafs would. But i dont know under what weight would the 3 leaf aal bottom out.

 

To leaf or to airbag is a complicated choice. Too much leafs and the ride is rough, too much airbag and it's bouncy. I have 300 lbs in my bed at all times, up to about 1100 lbs. I run Dakars with the

$82 D29XL Leaf Spring

D29XL extra leaf and ride rite airbags. The ride is a bit rough but with my payload, and bad road conditions that I deal with, I have no choice for such a HD setup.

I got a feeling that the best combo would be to have shocks with adjustable rebound to fine tune the ride with airbags and use better leafs than the stock crap.

 

Airbags with Daystar cradles on 2+1 non tsb, running 30 psi for daily driving to give a bit of rake with all the weight in the rear and 5100s set at 1.75

 

the only problem with lifting the back and not the front is that the back may sit to high when your not hauling or towing. I have the wheelers 3 leaf hd pack and after install it sat to high for me but I did plan on lifting the front. just gave me an reason to do it sooner.

 

One more question about the Daystar cradles. Do I need them if I rarely go off road, but do spend a fair bit of time on dirt (gravel) roads with lots of potholes and bumps.

 

I lifted the front 2.5" and it looks almost level but when I would tow my camper it would sit lower in the back so I added the ride rite bags and use them when I tow it with about 15-20psi. when im not towing I have it about 8-10psi. I do have plans on buying a new leaf pack soon Dakar or Boss and then see if I still need the bags when I tow.

 

I installed 5100's on all four corners with the fronts set at 1.75" on stock coils. I'm on the stock 3+1 rear leafs. I also have a slim tool box in the bed, which is pretty full. That resulted in some noticeable reverse rake. I bought a set of barely used ride-rites and daystar cradles for a great price from another member here. I have about 18lbs in the drivers side and about 11lbs in the passenger side. That has me perfectly level and, in my opinion, I love the ride. I have yet to take it off road, but once I get some new tires, I'll be ready. I wanted to be able to level the truck, haul a load, and still have full suspension articulation whenever I felt like it. '13 sport for reference.

 

one more pic. this was with the wheelers hd 3leaf. stock leaf pack non tsb. sat a little to high for me.