Seeking Advice re: Air Lift

I’m considering installing an Air Lift kit on my 2007 SE in advance of a travel trailer rental later this year. Looking for advice from anyone with experience, especially about how the kit affects every day driving when you’re not towing. I’ve read @J.A.’s excellent writeup so I know some of the potential issues. Just wanted to hear from people who have installed the kit - any regrets, would you do it again, things to look out for, anything you feel is relevant. PFA & TIA.

P.S. I already have a brake controller and transmission cooler, and will use OBD Fusion to remain aware of the temps.

 

What is the total length/weight of the travel trailer you plan on renting?

 

@RumHamRunner73 - 21’ x 8’, ~3600 dry, ~4500 gross, 480 lbs. hitch weight.

 

I don't know much about towing but if you plan to do any offroading I'd stay away from bags.

 

Check out Sumo Springs. Much, much easier install, no potential leaks, etc. I've had them on almost every single truck I've owned. I'm not a frequent trailer puller, but any time I've done so, the difference is noticeable. I've hauled more than towed with them, and anytime the bed was loaded, I actually liked the ride better. I'm sure there are some opinions from the other side of the coin, but I've had nothing but a good experience with them.

 

I offroad fairly frequently but nothing extreme. Do you have a specific concern?

 

Air lift isn't going to take any weight off the rear axle. You'd be better off investing in a weight distributing hitch (WDH) to shift weight forward to the front axle and backwards onto the trailer A frame. A good WDH will also provide anti-sway control, which is important if the trailer is single axle. Proper weight distribution is extremely important.
https://youtu.be/fWd8ml9mFMo?si=aBg4gYrVMHfouhYU

I have an '04 V8 FT4WD and tow a 6500 lb. dual axle travel trailer. My OEM rig is level and handles very well on the highway. After towing I remove the WDH and I'm stock.

 

Thx. This is a 2-week trip and the rental trailer has anti-sway so I really just wanted to have a way to level the truck. I bought a 4Runner V8 frame mounted hitch that I will install before towing full-time if that ever comes about.

 

How does the trailer have anti-sway? Is it dual axle?
(EDIT) I'm sure you know that adding a bigger hitch does nothing to change towing capacity.

Leveling the truck with air bags doesn't do anything for control. You are putting an extra 480 lbs. on the rear and ~4500 lbs behind you with nothing on the front axle. (BTW, 'dry' means no propane, empty holding tanks, water tank and water heater, no personal items in the trailer and perhaps no batteries.) The Toyota braking system will handle some of that but a WDH will handle all of it. Does the trailer rental place have a WDH you can use?

If it were me, I wouldn't go over 50, using a standard hitch, and I would never use air bags. Hopefully you have considerable experience pulling a trailer. If it starts to sway you don't want to apply the 4Runner brakes first. Instead, apply the manual control on the brake controller so the trailer drags the 4Runner, then slowly apply the 4Runner brakes to regain control. Make sure your liability insurance covers the trailer.

I say this because a good friend of mine, who had towed only small trailers, bought a new F150 and 25' trailer. He went on a trip out west and on the return he encountered slippery roads. He, his wife and dog ended up in the median, upside down, trailer jackknifed. It totaled the truck and trailer but fortunately they were not hurt. It's better to err on the side of caution.

 

First, I appreciate you taking the time to provide such comprehensive responses and the braking tip, which I’ll keep in mind.

I misspoke while in a hurry before - what I meant was that the rental hitch has an anti-sway bar. I do have towing experience including 34-foot Site Command units for work. Of course, that’s with a Ford F-350 so it’s a bit of apples to oranges.

 

With that travel trailer and an F-350 you wouldn't need anything but a road map.

Good that you have experience with towing. With an anti-sway bar on the hitch you should be okay. Just give it some time to get used to the handling and give yourself plenty of braking room. People will nose dive into the lane in front of you, so be ready.

I know you want to go with the airbags. It wouldn't be my preference but that's me. Normal braking is 60-40, with 60% on the front. When you put weight on the rear axle it acts like a fulcrum and takes weight off the front axle. Toyota braking takes this into account and shifts more braking onto the rear brakes. (50-50 I think). However I don't think it will do anything for leveling. It would take a WDH or the airbags to do that.

Have a good time on your trip. We started in February 2014 with our trailer and have been to many areas of the US. I hope you guys enjoy it as much as we do.