Weight Distribution hitch/airbags thread

Hauling......

The Firestone airbags haven't disappointed.

 

Just put them on last month and drove around close to the house. I’ll be testing them out on a trip to Arkansas next month.

 

I have the Firestones, no complaints.

 

Same. I pull a small camper

 

Firestone, 20psi.

 

Firestone here.

 

Grizzly 700 XTR?.?. Very nice setup!

 

Firestones for the last 5 years, same set on two trucks. Zero problems

 

That’s a beautiful truck.

 

Airlift with daystar cradles

 

Yes sir! Day I brought her home...Halloween.

 

Firestone bags with Airlift wireless compressor.

 

Firestones for me as well. Love em.

 

obligatory airbags vs weight distributing hitch video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBZu39pQ8Gg

 

I have Ride Rites and air them up individually through the bottom license plate holes. Do yourself a favor and also add the Daystar cradles, so your axle can articulate properly when you go off-road.

 

I have Airlift 5000 with compressor and remote. very convenient.

 

I do not have them on mine yet but I have only towed over 6000 lbs once with this truck. I did have them on my 2008 crewmax but regularly towed with that truck. The air bags sure improve the ride and feel when towing but don't increase towing or payload so with my current situation, and all the weight I carry constantly, I'm gonna hold out for stiffer springs.

 

Firestone with daystar cradles here.

 

For those of you have added bags on pros, any affect handling when off roading?

 

On a similar note, what are y'all's thoughts on the SumoSprings?

 

I have the firestones.

I haul my tractor and my airstream with it. Next tundra I have WILL have firestones on it too.

 

THIS!!!

I've been towing for the past several years using F250, so I've never had to even think about it. My TT came with the E2 WD hitch. Fast forward to today - just bought my first Tundra last week and I was concerned about the squat when hauling my TT. I had an appointment to take the truck in tomorrow to have Air Bags added...then I watched this video. Mind blown!

It appears that using air bags to compensate for the squat actually increases hitch weight and does nothing to add weight to the front wheels for steering. I guess I can see an application for bags if hauling something heavy in the bed, but not the TT. I thought about using both but according to Fastway (I know they want to sell WDH), using the airbags with WDH could actually decrease the effectiveness of the sway control. And then you're still left with the problem if increased hitch weight.

I cancelled my appointment for the air bags. I have a few short trips coming up so I'll see how it handles. Maybe spend that money on a trans cooler instead.

This video definitely shocked me.

Am I missing something?

 

I think that video really sums it up, especially the side-by-side numbers comparison at the end. You should be good with just a properly setup WDH if you don’t overdo the payload.

 

That is a great video

 

Check craigslist and pawn shops, you can get a good hitch cheap and tow in comfort. Myself I also use sumo springs. Then I have second set of cut down sumos for bump stops if I want articulation for off roading. No sway bar and empty it handles like a Porsche with the yellow sumos on full time.

 

At first glance, the video is correct in all the combinations it shows. However, I don't think it's shows how to use both the airbags and WDH together, just comparing them. I use the following method and checked it with a tape measure. I also routinely tow on the horrible highways in California so I have some seat of the pants experience.

My method is: hitch up the trailer, level the truck with the airbags, use the tongue jack to lift the tongue of the trailer and the rear of the pickup about 2 inches, connect the WDH. It's important to not inflate the airbags after connecting the WDH as it does exactly what the video shows. I'm confident in the way the Tundra tows using this method. The trailer's GVW is 6000lbs.

 

Have you weighed your vehicle with min pressure in bags w/out WDH, min air w/WDH, air in the bags w/out WDH and finally air in the bags w/WDH to compare the difference in axel weights?

 

Going w/ Sumosprings myself but can totally understand why some want airbags instead.

Still, the WDH should come first. If you want the rear end to feel more firm then install something bags or sumos/bumpers.

 

So just speaking from my short experience with airbags, I recently went on a trip with my travel trailer. I hooked it up with the WDH like I always would before I got the bags. Then aired up to level it out. 65-70 mph down
I-30 with no sway whatsoever and no sway bar. Definitely can not say the same for my last truck even when using the sway bar. I usually don’t go over 70 mph just because I feel like it’s extra work on the truck to maintain that speed. Just thought I would share.

I didn’t get airbags as a WDH replacement. I got them because I don’t like the squatting in the rear and so far I’m happy with them.

 

No. Only used the tape measure to see if the front is lifting.