Help with bump stops and rear airbags

[keyser_soze]

I recently bought a small travel trailer and I have decided it is time to upgrade my suspension. I do not rock crawl or do anything crazy. I mostly do overlanding while camping, trails on rivers and beaches, fire roads etc...

My trailer is the NuCamp Tag XL Boondock is about 1450lbs dry, 1700lbs loaded. The tongue weight is probably around 220lbs. It has trailer brakes, and I have a redarc controller.

While parked I get a little sag in the rear which gives me a reverse rake. This also causes my hitch to be a little lower than ideal, which gives my trailer a slight forward rake.

While driving the trailer is very light so it does not give me many issues. I do notice its weigh going up hill. I will sometimes get a front to rear bounce when going over higher speed bumps. No sway

While pulling the trailer the cargo are of my 4Runner typically has nothing in it besides 3 dogs (170lbs total) and a cooler for drinks. I do have Rago cargo window storage, and a raingler attic loaded with a few things, and a 10" sub (probably around 50lbs total)


2015 SR5 4WD no 3rd row, no cargo tray, LFD 3/4 roof rack
CURRENT SETUP
Front:
Bilstein 5100 set to 2.5"
OEM UCAs
OEM springs
OEM bump stops

Rear:
Bilstein 5100
Daystar 1.5" spacer
OEM springs
OEM bump stops

NEW SETUP
Front:
Bilstein 5100 set at 0"
JBA UCAs
Dobinson 2.5" springs
Energy bump stops

Rear:
Bilstein 5100
Dobinson 1.5" springs
Bump Stops ?
Air bags ?

My questions:
With the new rear springs Im hoping there will be less sag in the rear. Which will also keep my trailer more level (less tongue weight). Which I assume would help with the front to rear bounce as well. I assume the slightly stiffer springs would help with the bounce in general as well.

Do I really need airbags or Timbren SES for such a light trailer?

My worry with the Timbrens is that it would limit travel. Im not too worried about airbags, and I already have a compressor under the hood.

My next question would be the rear bumpstops. I saw a few people that used the Lexus / 4th gen air suspension bump stops. These are cheap and seem to suit a 1.5" lift. The other option is Durobumbs but the DBR35 which are for under 2" lifts, but they are more expensive and only available from a few vendors.

What do you think is the best option for the rear?

 

[AggieOE]

I've heard good things about Air Lift and am thinking of giving them a try when towing. Nothing worse than reverse rake and blinding traffic because of towing or loading up the rear for trips.

 

[Jpilot]

Coil rite

I put Firestone coil rite Bags on my t4r and couldn’t be happier. Less than $100. I packed my rig For a trip to Yellowstone. Was super heavy, carry rear drawers full, RTT and a hitch mounted shelf carrier loaded Up. Probably 400 lbs in the back. Bags were at 12psi and I had no issues at all for a trip that went 1300+ miles.

 

[keyser_soze]

OK I will look further into airbags.

 

[timbren-industries]

I recently bought a small travel trailer and I have decided it is time to upgrade my suspension. I do not rock crawl or do anything crazy. I mostly do overlanding while camping, trails on rivers and beaches, fire roads etc...

My trailer is the NuCamp Tag XL Boondock is about 1450lbs dry, 1700lbs loaded. The tongue weight is probably around 220lbs. It has trailer brakes, and I have a redarc controller.

While parked I get a little sag in the rear which gives me a reverse rake. This also causes my hitch to be a little lower than ideal, which gives my trailer a slight forward rake.

While driving the trailer is very light so it does not give me many issues. I do notice its weigh going up hill. I will sometimes get a front to rear bounce when going over higher speed bumps. No sway

While pulling the trailer the cargo are of my 4Runner typically has nothing in it besides 3 dogs (170lbs total) and a cooler for drinks. I do have Rago cargo window storage, and a raingler attic loaded with a few things, and a 10" sub (probably around 50lbs total)


2015 SR5 4WD no 3rd row, no cargo tray, LFD 3/4 roof rack
CURRENT SETUP
Front:
Bilstein 5100 set to 2.5"
OEM UCAs
OEM springs
OEM bump stops

Rear:
Bilstein 5100
Daystar 1.5" spacer
OEM springs
OEM bump stops

NEW SETUP
Front:
Bilstein 5100 set at 0"
JBA UCAs
Dobinson 2.5" springs
Energy bump stops

Rear:
Bilstein 5100
Dobinson 1.5" springs
Bump Stops ?
Air bags ?

My questions:
With the new rear springs Im hoping there will be less sag in the rear. Which will also keep my trailer more level (less tongue weight). Which I assume would help with the front to rear bounce as well. I assume the slightly stiffer springs would help with the bounce in general as well.

Do I really need airbags or Timbren SES for such a light trailer?

My worry with the Timbrens is that it would limit travel. Im not too worried about airbags, and I already have a compressor under the hood.

My next question would be the rear bumpstops. I saw a few people that used the Lexus / 4th gen air suspension bump stops. These are cheap and seem to suit a 1.5" lift. The other option is Durobumbs but the DBR35 which are for under 2" lifts, but they are more expensive and only available from a few vendors.

What do you think is the best option for the rear?

You have it right! It totally depends what you are primarily using your rig for, but we have 2 options like you already mentioned, Active Off Road Bumpstops or SES (suspension enhancement system). SES if you want to eliminate sag or go with a stiffer rear coil and run Active Off Road Bumpstops so you can still "offroad" and keep your travel.

Hope this helps, be happy to answer any questions as well! Whatever you decide, good luck and enjoy!

Ps. Nice rig!

 

[Mutant138]

Installed airlift bags on my old bosses c10 so he could carry two dirtbikes. Never heard of an issues arising. Super easy install. Prob not that helpful to you but it's something.

 

[keyser_soze]

You have it right! It totally depends what you are primarily using your rig for, but we have 2 options like you already mentioned, Active Off Road Bumpstops or SES (suspension enhancement system). SES if you want to eliminate sag or go with a stiffer rear coil and run Active Off Road Bumpstops so you can still "offroad" and keep your travel.

I think the SES is overkill for my application. I also only pull the trailer a few times a year.

A standard bump stop is probably what I will be looking for, but I think I am looking for something a little cheaper.

Installed airlift bags on my old bosses c10 so he could carry two dirtbikes. Never heard of an issues arising. Super easy install.

I used to use airbags at my old job where we had full size trucks and pulled large trailers. I cant recall ever having any issues.

I just didnt know how airbags affected off road performance, of if they were just not needed for my small trailer.

 

[progress4m]

To OP: Agreed with others: get the Airlift.
Had it on my 4th gen 4Runner for about 8-9 years- worked great with no issue at all.
Heaviest trailer I towed with it was about 4800 LBS and I can make rear end of the 4Runner higher with the trailer vs. empty by having 27 PSI in the Airlift. All that was on OEM springs and shocks.

If you interconnect airlift bags together and run them a minimum pressure (5 PSI) I do not believe you can quantify any negative impact on off road performance.

 

[keyser_soze]

I ordered everything. I think this will be good for a budget setup

Air lift 1000 $85
Lexus rear bump stops $85
Energy front bump stops $28