Stop the squat. Which option?

I tow 3500-7000lbs frequently. Like 3-6x week.
1320 payload stock with removed sticker saying 1275.

I'm not looking to exceed payload or tow 12,000 lbs.

Just looking to stay level with 450-800lb tongue weight(payload)

Leaning towards Firestone bags and on board compressor.

other option, which I don’t like are new leaf packs.

Any experienced opinions?
Thanks
2018 ORoad DC

 

Weight distributing hitch?

 

+1 on a weight distribution hitch. I use one and it works really well.

 

I think your manual will recommend a weight distribution hitch before it recommends air bags. Start there.

 

Air bags, and Daystar cradles. Fixes every sag I have.

 

This is not the recommended fix according to the manual when towing a trailer.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/airbags-vs-weight-distribution-hitch.12955/#post-238698

 

Thx for replying. Going to get lost on that thread. BRB

 

Ok. Thx for thread share. Good thread, seemed familiar as if I read it last year. WDH is fantastic but...

I’m still leaning BAGS. I wash roofs and houses. Trailer A: (6x12 SA w/brakes) is my 80-90% trailer. It’s built out to carry mounted equipment and 125 gallons of SH (industrial bleach)

At times I have to load bed with more SH @ 10lbs a gallon equipment ladders blah blah.

Thinking in my use bags gives greatest flexibility for my variety of set ups. Daystar cradles- great advice!! Will do.

thanks again for replying!

 

Probably the perfect solution would be a weight distribution hitch and leaf springs to match total weight when towing and change leaf springs to match weight when not towing but I doubt anyone would do that if they tow off and on. The air bags w/ Daystar cradles seem like the the perfect band aid to cover the occasional extra weight (around 400lbs tongue) when towing. It seems like towing could be your "normal" mode and 800lb tongue weight is a lot if it were me I would try to have upgraded springs to cover at least 1/2 of that load and airbags for just part or springs to match the loaded weight and know it will be rough when unloaded. Airbags alone could possibly keep the truck level but the stock leaf springs would be hating it. That is what I was going for but I'm not towing with it yet. I was going off of multiple recommendations. So maybe airbags and add a leaf + weight distribution hitch?

 

I start getting into $2500+ and that 3/4ton 7.3 Ford gasser starts calling my name. Lol

 

That was the other truck I was looking at, better suited to your needs than mine though possibly. Tundra 45K F250SD 60K I decided with 15K of mods the Tundra can have a AT Overland Atlas topper camper and suspension upgrade. I like the Tundra but the payload sucks. Back to towing there are add a leafs for $100 might be just enough. My airbag kit w/cradle was about $500. I will pump up with a bike hand pump for now. Although maybe the Ford will solve all your problems. ;-) just trying to help whichever direction you go.

 

I have firestone airbags. They are pretty sweet! WDH will do nothing for a heavy load in your bed. I throw an ATV in the bed quite often and without the bags inflated it really squats the ass of the truck. An onboard compressor levels it right up. 60psi for me when the ATV in the bed and 30psi when trailering my SxS. Highly recommend!

I paid about $600 for the kit, including compressor and all parts plus another $600 for installation (took them a day and a half). It's not a project I felt comfortable doing so I left it to a pro. He did a great job, the inflation and deflation switch and gauge is in the glove box, the compressor is under the hood. I also have a schrader valve that I can use to inflate the bags, should the on board compressor fail.

 

I agree with all this, but will add that I also use a WDH for towing my travel trailer. With the Firestone bags my truck drives great and level loaded or unloaded. I had briefly tried the Sumo Springs and removed them after one trip with the trailer. It was like a pogo stick in the back.

 

I also don’t have a onboard air compressor. Honestly a bike pump works great. I use the Topeak Mountain Morph. 10 pumps moves me about 10lbs. Maybe a compressor, air tank and train horns for a project down the road?