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Old 11-30-2017, 12:21 PM   #1
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Air lift for Tundra?

I have a Tundra crewmax 5.5’ bed with 5.7L V8 and tow package and I’m buying a 5.0 TA. Someone suggested adding Airlift 5,000 air bag suspension. Is this necessary? Thanks!
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Old 11-30-2017, 12:52 PM   #2
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I have a Tundra crewmax 5.5’ bed with 5.7L V8 and tow package and I’m buying a 5.0 TA. Someone suggested adding Airlift 5,000 air bag suspension. Is this necessary? Thanks!
You might take a look at Sumo Springs. I prefer them to air bags; they don't leak, and you don't need to adjust them.
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Old 11-30-2017, 12:59 PM   #3
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I would go for improved shocks over air bags
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Old 11-30-2017, 01:16 PM   #4
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I'd wait till you get the trailer and see how it looks, if it squats more then you like go for whatever lifts you decide on. Not like you can't drive it without, all they do is level out the ride although I'm not familiar with Sumo Springs.

I had Air-lifts on a Ranger years ago, only had the truck for 2 years with the lifts but I had no leaks in that period. Was kind of nice, I could drop them to 5lbs when I wasn't towing and bump them up when I was.
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Old 11-30-2017, 02:50 PM   #5
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I have a F150 with the 5.5 ft.bed and a maximum tow package and the truck only settles down about an inch with the load of the trailer. No need for anything extra. So give it a try and you can always add the extra springs of your choice if needed.
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Old 11-30-2017, 03:35 PM   #6
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I installed the Airlift 1000's in both my 2011 and 2014 Ram 1500
They have worked well and I have not experienced any leaks
The rear suspension in your Tundra and my Ram is rather soft
when compared to the more truck like suspension of the Ford F150
At a cost of around $100 , the airbags are worth the cost IMHO
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Old 11-30-2017, 04:06 PM   #7
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Did the same to my 2009 and 2014 Ram, no leaks and they keep the tow level.
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Old 11-30-2017, 08:24 PM   #8
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SumoSprings

SumoSprings on my 2015 GMC Sierra. They're maintenance free and virtually no squat when the trailer is hitched.
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Old 11-30-2017, 08:52 PM   #9
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I went with Sumo Springs as well - they work great and were easy to install. They don’t contact the frame when unloaded, so the ride is not harsh. When I was looking at airbags, I did not find any for my Tundra that would work with the B&W Turnover ball due to interference with the attachment points on the frame and I wanted the Andersen Ultimate/ B&W combo.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

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Old 12-01-2017, 10:07 AM   #10
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Another sumo user here
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Old 12-01-2017, 11:41 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy View Post
I have a Tundra crewmax 5.5’ bed with 5.7L V8 and tow package and I’m buying a 5.0 TA. Someone suggested adding Airlift 5,000 air bag suspension. Is this necessary? Thanks!
Hi Andy, I have a 2012 Tundra 6 1/2 bed, 2017 5.0 TA and the Andersen hitch with the B&W turn over ball mount. I installed the Timbren suspension system. The truck sits level with the trailer hooked up, rides comfortably and very easy to install. Mark
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Old 12-01-2017, 01:55 PM   #12
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Ditto for Sumo Springs. I have them on my 2010 F 150. I put them on before ever towing the 5.0 TA so I don't know how much they help but when I lower the trailer onto my Anderson Ultimate Hitch the truck settles about an inch and a half onto them. Also, I saved the old jounce bump stops, so when I trade in the truck for a newer model I can easily remove them and hopefully reuse or sell them.
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Old 12-01-2017, 03:26 PM   #13
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The only sure fire answer appears to be, adding Sumo springs , air bags , timbren's , higher rated tires , lower the payload, have the suspension resprung , install Rancho adjustable shocks , and fill the trailer with helium.
It seems like a lot of extra work just to tow a 5000 lb trailer.
I have to believe someone builds a vehicle/ truck that comes from the factory already capable of towing a 5.0 TA
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Old 12-01-2017, 03:37 PM   #14
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Several different different trucks will do the job well. Reace's is towing with a standard duty F-150 without any problem. Mine is a HD F-150 and it hardly settles the springs. They are available, just have check your trucks weight limits.
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Old 12-07-2017, 11:03 PM   #15
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Supersprings

We use Supersprings on our Tundra. They are made by the same company that makes Sumosprings, only they are an extra leaf spring instead of a coil spring. Our truck remains level with a full bed and a generator above the propane tanks.
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Old 12-08-2017, 12:42 AM   #16
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Thumbs up I like my air bags

While the SumoSprings look like a good idea, I've got Firestone Ride-Rite in my 2013 Nissan Frontier towing a 5.0 Classic. I like em!

While I could get away without them, they do a great job of leveling the vehicle and reducing bounce. I suppose the SumoSprings would accomplish this, but I use my truck for a variety of jobs. The airbags allow me to level the truck no matter what the load is; 400 lbs of Escape, or 1400 lbs of laminate flooring. The on-the-go leveling solution is 10 or 20 crunches with a small bicycle pump to bring the bags up to 10 to 20 psi. I've tied the two bags to one air valve for simplicity. And when not hauling, at 5 psi they're not even in the equation for ride, and only act as a jounce bumper.

So yes there is maintenance with bags, but flexibility as well. They install about the same as the SumoSprings, with the addition of running an air line to the bumper for the inflation valve. No leaks yet.
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Old 12-08-2017, 06:31 AM   #17
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I added Hellwig's helper leaf springs to my 2012 F150. They are adjustable and work absolutely great. Once you dial them in, they just work and you don't have to mess with them at all.

http://www.hellwigproducts.com/produ...ontrol/ez-990/
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Old 12-08-2017, 11:20 PM   #18
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Yes I have read some reviews. Am leaning towards Timbren
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Old 12-09-2017, 08:26 AM   #19
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Quote:
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Yes I have read some reviews. Am leaning towards Timbren
We used Timbren with our 4Runner when pulling the Casita and we were very pleased with how they leveled out the 4Runner. The only draw back is the 4Runner's ride was rougher (more bumpy) when we were not towing.
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