Weight Distribution hitch/airbags thread

I have the Air Lift bags. I haven't had any problems with them, but they have an internal jounce bumper that makes for a rough ride. They mount between the leaf spring and the frame so the internal jounce bumper reduces up-travel on the rear suspension so that you bottom out more easily when you don't have any pressure in the airbags.

The bumper protects the bags from damage when you run them empty, but then you bottom out more easily.

Again, the build quality is fine, but their mounting location is not ideal for maintaining unloaded ride quality.

 

If you go to the Firestone Ride Rite website they say the 2445 fits 2007-2020. For compressors you can use the Firestone or Air Lift for sure. I would imagine any compressor system made for bags would work. On the compressor setup, I would figure out if you want something wireless with a remote, with a phone app, or just a basic analog type with a gauge and air lines going to it. To me, the features you want will determine which compressor setup you want to go with - or just use a bicycle pump.

 

I just installed mine this afternoon. They took a little longer than I expected, but could do it in half the time if I did it again. I could put 60# in with a bike pump pretty easily, just an FYI. As confirmed by others before me, with the minimum recommended 5# of air, my rear is raised 0.5”.

 

Welcome from NY.
They will fit.

 

I have been using this 2810 kit for 3 years. I bought to help the ride when pulling my camper, and I just think it’s about the best upgrade I have done to the truck.
Hope this help OP

 

I too just picked up a 2019 pro. Because of the lack of factory rake, i added the airlifts to keep the truck level when towing.. I did install daystar cradles so the bags wont limit my suspension travel.. milwakee tool makes a portable compressor that i keep in the trailer to inflate the bags..

 

I got airlift with the onboard compressor. Makes it a lot more convenient to add or let out air.

Be careful with tongue weight and payload. By adding airbags it puts a lot more weight on your rear axle. It does level out, but isn’t as good as a weight distribution hitch.

 

Oh yeah definitely use daystar cradles !!!’
Op they have not changed anything on the frames so all bag kits should fit.

 

You make a good point here. I’ll be using bags and a weight distribution hitch together.


I’ve decided to go with the Ride-rite kit and the air-rite compressor to go with it. Does anyone have experience mounting the compressor under the hood? I see some expensive brackets for sale but hoping for an easier solution. Also, where are you all mounting the gauges in the cab? Was thinking under the drivers seat, below seat controls so it’s accessible when you open the door.

 

There are a few places that make mount for under the hood. I got one last year but haven’t mounted it yet so no personal experience with it.

I’m no help with the gauges either. The airlift has a Bluetooth remote like a garage door opener size that you can stick on the visor.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/bolt-in-on-board-air-compressor-mount.23769/

 

Little confused....

Little background...
This past fall, came across a screaming good deal on an 03 sportsmen sportster toy hauler. 26 footer. Was in a guys barn. The couple had used it and then parked it for the last 7 or 8 yrs. Perfect condition. $2000 and she was ours. I had an 03 silverado, so i had my friend tow it home for me with hiz 2500. My silverado blew the rear end a month ago, so i donated it and am going to get a tundra to haul the camper.
Dry weight was 5670. We'll only be putting one harley in when we go, so add 800 for that, and i figure with all the other stuff, we should be up around 8k.
I have a brand new in the box Curt weight dist hitch ready to go when i get the truck.

Will i need to get airbags as well? Opinions?

 

^^This^^

Welcome from NY.

 

^^^^^^^^^ ditto

you should be fine but if you want to keep the same ride height while towing then get an airbag

 

I had both when I had my rv. As others said it’ll level your truck back out. Airbags also put more of the total weight on your rear axle too though. Check the tongue weight.

 

Thanks guys

 

Personally I am not a fan of air bags. They help sag but mask the issue and load the rear axle. Id rather set up the WDH and everything correctly. If you are still having heavy sag then perhaps the tongue weight/payload is too much for the truck.

 

I had a 2013 with stock suspension.. about 2.5” of rake.. with the load dist. hitch it rode pretty level towing a lance 2285..

When i bought a 2019 the front had a 2” lift and almost sits level... add the trailer and i got a bit of sag.. not much but enough to bother me.. I hate the saggy rear bro look... so i put some bags on it and @ 40psi its level again... I even took the entire rig back to the RV dealer to get a 2nd opinion on the load dist. setup.. guy said it measured good...

 

Both the WD hitch and air bags do the same thing. They allow you to keep the vehicle level when loaded. The WD hitch when sized properly and adjusted correctly will bring the truck back to a level position but has the advantage of transfering the tongue weight to the front wheels allowing for better handling. Air bags will raise the back of the vehicle but won't transfer weight to the front.

 

Is your truck lifted or leveled? With the stock rake I doubt you'd sag too much. A WDH transfers some of the load to the front tires. If jack the ass end up with airbags, you start transferring the weight to the rear end and taking it away from the front and that's a fairly scary thought towing an 8k lb toy hauler. Get yourself into an emergency braking situation or take a corner too fast and things could get hairy.

You're approaching max capacity of what your truck can handle, I'd want to know the tongue weight for sure.

That being said, I ran airbags and towed with a WDH, but I didn't inflate them to the point it started to level my truck. I used about 8 to 10 psi to mitigate some of the hitch bounce.

 

Very much recommend the Firestone bags but after a year had to take the wireless controller out and go with the analog controller. Terrible dependability for me on the wireless and it finally quit altogether. Love the analog controller though. And FYI I tow trailers for a living.

 

Just curious, how do you make money towing trailers?

 

I rent onsite cold storage units, basically walk in coolers on wheels.

 

Will the 2445 kit fit a 2020 TRD pro? Also anyone recommended the day star cradles?

 

yes the daystar cradles will allow you,to detatch the airbags from the axle and retain full suspension droop..

 

I just ordered the 2445 Firestone bags and the daystar cradles. Given my truck is an 07 but I am going to install Icon rear springs at the same time. Looking to get more off-road worthy and also level out better when towing our 5,000 lb travel trailer.

 

do you have the compressor wired to fill both out the same time? or are you able to fill them seperately?

 

do you guys feel airbags restrict offroad performance if you have daystar cradles? wondering about the lack of the bumpstop

 

I bought the compressor that fills both at the same time. They make one that can does each side separately but it cost more and I didn’t know if I’d ever use that feature. I also put a T and ran a hose to the back of the truck to fill manually if the compressor gives out.

 

I don’t think they do. It’s just like a bump stop you can fill or let air out of depending on how much resistance you want.