Rear air bags for 21 Tundra

Hey guys I have a 2021 Tundra 2WD SR5. In towing a camper, I recently bought without a weight distribution hitch I get a little bouncy in the rear on rough/un level roads. As the wife gets motion sickness, I was thinking of adding a set of air bags just to stiffen the rear a bit only when towing. Otherwise, the truck handles the towing with ease. In the past of I have purchased the Air Lift bags for different vehicle as at the time they were supposed to be the best. I see now there are many choices with varying prices. I am looking to install myself. Any recommendations?

 

I know you specified air bags, but as another option you may want to consider this...

https://activesuspension.com/products/toyota-tundra-1999-2020-hd


Here's a thread that a lot of us have contributed to and given quite a bit of feedback on the system...

Roadmaster Active suspension review

 

Air Lift is a good brand. I have Firestone Ride-Rite on my F-150 and they are pretty good too. I'm not sure if they are made for the Tundra or not. I echo Triple's comments on the RAS HD. I ended up going that route with my Tundra and am glad I did that over air bags.

Air bags always have to have some pressure in them to prevent them from getting damaged and that is kind of a pain to deal with. RAS-HD is much more user friendly in the long term.

 

If the motion sickness is due to the trailer motion being exaggerated, may want to think of a air bag hitch.

adding rear bags sometimes doesn't really "smoothen" the ride, it can make it more apparent on the up and down motion.

I have the shocker hitch and it really makes it a smooth ride with the trailer.

 

Ditto the RAS option. It does what they say it does and should ride significantly better unloaded vs airbags. The HD version is what you should use on Tundras.

 

I have Firestone airbags, they work great to a point. 25 PSI in the bags, ~6-700lb tongue weight on a properly setup WDH is very stable. In my opinion that's really the conservative limit you should be looking at with these trucks anyway. Anything heavier/bigger and you're braver than I am.

If you start overloading the truck and needing to add 30+ psi to balance the load then things really start to get bouncy again. The stock shocks just don't have the damping to handle that much weight and added spring rate. You'll need to look at an aftermarket shock at that point to control things.

 

I second Ride Rites and an aftermarket shock absorber. Being an SR5, I assume your truck has the black factory shock absorber? They are fairy comfortable shocks, but IMO don’t handle towing super well. Even an entry level Bilstein 5100 will do a better job hauling trailers.

If you decide on airbags, plumb each side independently else the truck and trailer will wallow in turns.

I’ve run Ride Rites for years, along with upgraded rear shocks. They make for a nice, controlled tow experience.

 

It's taken a few seasons to narrow things down, but I ended up going a hybrid route. Upgraded shocks all around, then Firestone bags set at 8-10psi, and RAS HD.

My TW is just north of 900lbs and I have zero porpoising

 

Thanks guys. Leaning towards the air bags at the moment but might consider shocks even though I like my current ride feel.

 

Most guys end up coming back and asking about Daystar Cradles, so I'll preemptively send you in that direction. They allow the bottom of the airbag to separate from the axle (it's still attached to the frame) and let the axle droop 100%. If you do any trail riding or encounter situations where you might flex the suspension out, they are great. I've also run them for years with zero issues.

 

Do they make a leaf helper kit that does not raise the vehicle height but only kicks in when bed is weighed down or towing?

 

https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Suspension/Air-Lift/AL88299.html?feed=npn&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD_vMtmvQlytPPn3z1FZeSOz96Z2N&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIi8rpl4rBiQMV8VxHAR1Fuzm3EAQYASABEgK7E_D_BwE

I have these on my ‘21 and my dad has them on his ‘17. We both like them, definitely helps cure the rear squat when towing heavy enclosed trailers and toy haulers.

 

I think this is what I am looking for. Thanks

 

I looking at the air bag kits for my 2021 I see that besides companies like Firestone and Air Lift there are other off brands alleging the same design and quality.Anyone have good experience with these?

 

Are you not adding a weight distribution hitch?

 

Not looking to use any other than a standard hitch at the moment as I am pulling a 4000 lb trailer with easy. As the wife gets motion sickness I was just looking to stiffen up the rear (not raise) to maybe control the soft ride under towing conditions.

 

You do you, but a WDH with built in sway control will make for a very pleasant towing experience.

 

I understand your thoughts and thanks. I believe the bags are a better option for my purpose.

 

Well, just buy the airbags if you are convinced it is the solution. Why risk it and stray from known brands? Firestone and Air-Lift are good to go.