Airbags?

[Beinkounter]

You should be able to

Thinking about doing this to alleviate the rear end squat when towing, but really don't want to ruin the off road articulation. Years and years ago I had the firestone bags on my Tacoma. They worked great for towing, but rode really rough with 5psi in the bags, off road was like a wooden wagon.

Has anyone with the AL 1000 bags tried running them with the schrader valves removed so the bags offer no resistance? Might be a way to have both load support and near factory articulation.

Before you rely on the bags for leveling, be sure to check to make sure your weight distribution hitch is properly set up, meaning that the weight distribution feature on your hitch is adjusted up or down to transfer half the tongue weight to the front axle. If your truck is sagging it means the weight is not properly distributed, the airbags will only mask the issue, not resolve it. Most people figure out the weight distribution by eyeballing it (level means properly distributed tongue weight, sagging truck or trailer means adjustment needed). But with the Raptor's soft suspension, I would recommend, based on my limited experience, that you go the extra step and take truck's fender height measurements before and after the hitch is installed and adjust accordingly until most of the sag is gone.

 

[MORK]

You should be able to

Before you rely on the bags for leveling, be sure to check to make sure your weight distribution hitch is properly set up, meaning that the weight distribution feature on your hitch is adjusted up or down to transfer half the tongue weight to the front axle. If your truck is sagging it means the weight is not properly distributed, the airbags will only mask the issue, not resolve it. Most people figure out the weight distribution by eyeballing it (level means properly distributed tongue weight, sagging truck or trailer means adjustment needed). But with the Raptor's soft suspension, I would recommend, based on my limited experience, that you go the extra step and take truck's fender height measurements before and after the hitch is installed and adjust accordingly until most of the sag is gone.

You are not wrong. However, I’ve found with that much weight being distributed, the ride while towing is terrible. Just a little bit of support makes a ton of difference.

 

[Beinkounter]

You are not wrong. However, I’ve found with that much weight being distributed, the ride while towing is terrible. Just a little bit of support makes a ton of difference.

Agreed. Even though I was able to eliminate most of the sagging with the WDH, I was told the airbags would definitely improve the towing experience. I am planning on installing them soon.

 

[Zjstrike]

Still quite confused after reading all the post due to the Gen2&3 and upgraded springs. Please help if you can. I have Geiser on the front and back(1.5). Do I need a AL 60865 with spacers or 1000hd for towing? I’m planning to insert the bags only. Thanks in advance.

 

[slater]

Bags FTW, adjustability has been nice in my experience. While not fun, they are relatively easy to remove and re-install as needed.

 

[TwistAir]

So I ran mine open valved and also at 0 psi - didn’t effect ride at all then. However… one of the bags completely failed on me. It developed a leak at the upper area where the fitting inserts into the bag. Don’t know if it was a fault of not running enough psi in it or a manufacturing defect, but it was frustrating enough that I don’t want to waste money or time installing a new set even though they did improve the towing squat and feel.

My initial thought is that with 0 psi, the bag can move around too much and stress the upper fitting rather than being compressed against the coils and stable.

I believe that any air bag has to have a minimum of 5psi in them for that exact reason.

 

[MZRaptor72]

Still quite confused after reading all the post due to the Gen2&3 and upgraded springs. Please help if you can. I have Geiser on the front and back(1.5). Do I need a AL 60865 with spacers or 1000hd for towing? I’m planning to insert the bags only. Thanks in advance.View attachment 455519View attachment 455520View attachment 455521

Did you ever get any further direction on this? I have the Geisers and the regular bags. I feel like the spring immediately compresses the 1.5” on top down to the bag without much weight. I am thinking i needed a longer/taller bag as these were made for OEM springs. I’m not sure if it exists or if it’s the HD version. Slightly irritated as these were sold along with the Geisers… i didn’t really question it until i installed both. I think it’ll work but im guaranteed the initial 1.5” sag immediately. I was hauling 4 35” tires in back and it sagged down to the top of the bag with 5 psi in it. I reached out to Airlift with an email that they wouldn’t respond to other than generically. Asked to speak with me and if not been able to connect yet.