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Suspension/shock advice for 2nd gen Tacoma 6' bed with 8' camper


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#11 rando

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Posted 23 January 2020 - 10:05 PM

The other issue with relying on airbags is that they have a tendency to leak/pop when used in rough terrain.   If the airbag is the only thing stopping you from riding out on the bump stops make sure you at least have a bike pump if not a spare bag.   


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#12 WillTheThri11

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Posted 23 January 2020 - 11:30 PM

The other issue with relying on airbags is that they have a tendency to leak/pop when used in rough terrain.   If the airbag is the only thing stopping you from riding out on the bump stops make sure you at least have a bike pump if not a spare bag.   

 

The airbags replace the bumpstops actually so it's pretty important to keep those things aired up.  I have a cheapy 12V air compressor that makes really short work of airing up the bags (small volume to fill).

 

As for leaking and popping, my research suggests that overall they don't have that tendency, but that a few have had issues.  Hoping to not be one of the few, but that's with every product including the truck and camper themselves.


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#13 rando

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Posted 23 January 2020 - 11:46 PM

My firestone bags certainly do leak on occasion, particularly on rough roads.    They are hooked up to an onboard compressor, so it is as simple as pressing a button to fill them back up, but checking them is a line on the preflight check list. 


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#14 WillTheThri11

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Posted 24 January 2020 - 12:06 AM

My firestone bags certainly do leak on occasion, particularly on rough roads.    They are hooked up to an onboard compressor, so it is as simple as pressing a button to fill them back up, but checking them is a line on the preflight check list. 

 

Good to know, I'm planning to make a "gage block" to slip between the wheel and the wheel well as the quick check to make sure there's enough air in the bags to support the weight.


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#15 Kolockum

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Posted 24 January 2020 - 02:40 AM

Wow, wishing I asked the question earlier about suspension (before I did airbags).  I feel like washboard is the thing to tune for since it slows you down the most when it comes to suspension.

 

I went with the airbags 1) beacuse the TSB leaves were basically brand new (poor reasoning, probably should've just pulled them off and re-sold or chucked 'em 2) for the ability to adjust for loaded/unloaded.  Haven't been off road yet since the airbags but now you've got me really worried about the bucking coming back.

 

I blame the bucking on air bags, soft/weak stock leaf springs and soft shocks.

 

From my research and personal experience, airbags have a high tendency to rupture during articulation. Daystar cradles are one of the only methods to deal with this. One of my airbags ruptured while on a dirt road. Granted I was running stock suspension so they were holding most of the weight of the camper. After that I decided to bite the bullet and get a whole suspension package. I think airbags are good to trim a vehicle but not take the weight of the camper.

 

The only way I have found to deal with washboard is let air out of the tires and put a good - but slow - song on the radio. 


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#16 rando

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Posted 24 January 2020 - 03:03 AM

Good to know, I'm planning to make a "gage block" to slip between the wheel and the wheel well as the quick check to make sure there's enough air in the bags to support the weight.

You can also put a cheap bluetooth TPMS sensors on the airbag shrader valves, then you can check the pressure from your phone without stopping the truck:

https://www.ebay.com...CUAAOSwEX1d8FOM


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#17 rubberlegs

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Posted 24 January 2020 - 06:25 AM

Instead of airbags, we added Sumosprings , black, to our 3rd gen Taco. Works great. Do a little reading about ‘em.

All camper weight went to our rear axle. I suggest you weigh your truck befor and after to see if yours is similar.
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#18 Moss Grimmick

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Posted 26 January 2020 - 05:11 PM

On my 2015 Tacoma I too have the firestone airbags and daystar cradles.  Added the Bilstein 5100s and Old Man Emu leaf springs which significantly reduce sway and bounce.  I keep the airbags at 20lbs.  Works for me.


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#19 WillTheThri11

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Posted 27 January 2020 - 06:01 AM

On my 2015 Tacoma I too have the firestone airbags and daystar cradles. Added the Bilstein 5100s and Old Man Emu leaf springs which significantly reduce sway and bounce. I keep the airbags at 20lbs. Works for me.


Did you do the OMEs with the overload or do you just use the airbags as the “overload spring”. Also do you have ur camper on full time?
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#20 JHanson

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Posted 05 February 2020 - 05:52 PM

I'm going to be the wet blanket here, and tell you that I think you are making a mistake to put an eight-foot camper on a six-foot bed. You're adding stresses the open-channel rear chassis of the 2nd-gen Tacoma was never meant to handle. And while your handling so far might feel okay, I suspect it wouldn't feel at all okay in the event of an emergency maneuver at highway speed. You might get away with it, come back here next year and tell me everything is fine and I was wrong, but I think you should reconsider your approach and install a camper that was designed for the bed length you have. The Tacoma is at its maximum capacity even with the proper model.


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