How does Rear Air Suspension affect ride and handling?

I'm thinking of getting a new Tundra (I have a 2017 Tacoma now) primarily for increased towing capability. I'm wondering if the Rear Air Suspension option is worth getting and whether or not it adversely affects the ride and handling of the truck when not towing. I would likely combine this with the TRD off road package. If you have that type of suspension, how has it been for you?

 

I have it on my 22 1794 truck. Came with truck I bought used. Truck rides like a dream.
I have hauled block twice and pea gravel twice.automatically level when you start the truck.
On the highway I could tell more sway than when I had leaf springs in my 08.
Never towed yet.
Peace. D

 

Rides like a cloud but when it fails you ride on bump stops which rides a tad bit rough.

 

For reliability why not just weld the axles to the frame?

 

lol, I was thinking the same thing, I don’t think we’ve seen many if any failures of that, Toyota has been using this for years

 

Best and least understood feature on the truck. AVS and air suspension come in the same package but are different things. AVS is an active suspension that adjusts to road conditions. Similar to what is in high end GM mag ride. Used in Audi R8's, Ferraris, yada yada.
The air suspension is auto air bags in the rear. Fantastic to load it up and it levels itself with full integration. Also, you can lower the rear 1" or so for loading which I've used more than I thought I would.
On the list of things to worry about I'm not concerned about it failing.

 

But, Air Suspension is available on SR5 and limited and AVS is only on higher trims, right?

 

According to the Toyota.com builder you cannot have the air suspension and the TRD Off Road package.

 

My system failed so yes they do

 

correct , load leveling rules for hauling and towing , you can lower the truck down several inches to load or hitch up as well which is handy

 

stock?

 

yes!

 

bummer haven’t seen many of those at all, I remember one but they installed a level kit so it messed it up

 

Me personally would never own the OEM system again for my needs.

 

I love mine, rides great. It bottomed out on speed bumps originally which is common. There’s a TSB for adjusting the sensors which I did and it totally solved it. I’ve only heard of 2 failures and these are installed on lots of trucks. Obviously it would suck if you’re one of the few.

 

I guess it comes down to are you willing to risk it. But we bought tundras with enough issues so we did or are still at risk. I would rather have a back up suspension than none at all. Hence aftermarket air bags which are better. I tow an Airstream and want nothing to do with air bag failure with no back up suspension again!

 

Probably a lot more failures then we know of as it was over a month to get parts to fix mine.

 

That’s a big assumption that if parts take time to get in, that means there’s a huge demand. Could be the opposite.
With my Toyota warranty, they have to give a loaner if it takes more than a day. I’m not worried about

 

I personally just installed the Firestone ride rite wireless blue tooth air bags and absolutely love them for towing. Around town is for sure a little rough than stock (I have the trd lift however) but keeping them at 8psi seems to help.
if you tow it is night day different

 

Could be true. But when they tell you the parts are back ordered my view is that others have had have the issue too.