Rear Airbags OR Medium Duty Springs?

[el_kab0ng]

Like alot of folks here, I've been dealing with rear end sag on my 2016 4R when towing my camper trailer (roughly 350-400lbs tongue weight depending on load out). I know Firestone or Air Lift bags in the rear might be the best option for ride height adjustment, but I've also read conflicting reports on how much bags affect off road capabilities.

A friend who is wildly smarter than I also mentioned looking into replacing the springs with medium duty ones as a non-permanent way to get what I need without affecting performance on and off road.

What say the collective wisdom of the group on this topic?

 

[meltdown]

If you’re not carrying a load all the time, I vote for airbags. You should have a better ride when unloaded.

I’m confused at how swapping springs out can be considered “non permanent.”

 

[Scowling Tuna]

I suppose it depends on the type of off-roading you do. Airbags would be far more vulnerable (unless there's off-road focused bags available? dunno). Springs are something relatively easy to install in the rear and easy enough to swap out (and sell) if you don't like the performance. Airbags are a far larger investment, IMO.

I would choose springs, to answer your question.

 

[Pedro367]

Airbags for the adjustability and how cheap they are. $100 for the AirLift bags on Amazon. Love mine

 

[USStrongman]

Bags. They work when you want them to and springs work all the time. Springs will dramatically change the way it drives as a daily driver.

 

[el_kab0ng]

Thanks all.. After feedback from here and a few of my peers (including the great folks at Apex Overland), I went with the Firestone bags which should be here in a couple days.

Since I don't plan to tow all the time (weekends/holidays mostly) nor do any hard core off roading when I do, the bags seemed to make more sense. I just had to accept the idea of cutting the spring bumpers which gets me further away from stock.

 

[BobsTrail]

I agree with all the above on adding air bags over new springs.

I put them in 8 years ago and have been on a lot of dirt and gravel roads with no problems.

Sometimes I put them up to 10 or 15 for rough off road trips. Most of the time they are at 5 psi. I have used them for a heavy rental trailer and they keep it level at 35 psi.