My grandpa called the other day and said he got a new boat and wants to give me his old one. The boat and trailer are approximatly 5000lbs. So now I need to figure out if I can tow the boat. My options are my 2006 tacoma or the wifes 2001 landcruiser. What are your thoughts on towing this much weight with the landcruiser? Has anyone added helper air bags to the rear suspension to assist when towing loaded? What air bags are recommended?
Adding air bags to a 2001 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter CarbonCruiser
- Start date
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Run AirLift in mine, don't tow, but have a ton of stuff in the trunk, same diff. Good price, get the job done.
x2 on the AirLift setup.
I had the Airlift setup on a 4Runner w/ the In-Cab controls - it was great.
The Firestone bag systems with manual fill are good too, but you just have to get out to adjust them.
Towing 5000lbs won't be a big deal. You should have 400-500-lbs of tounge weight w/ it (roughly 10%), so you'll notice it, and probably want to add them for stability if you're towing at higher speeds.
The Firestone bag systems with manual fill are good too, but you just have to get out to adjust them.
Towing 5000lbs won't be a big deal. You should have 400-500-lbs of tounge weight w/ it (roughly 10%), so you'll notice it, and probably want to add them for stability if you're towing at higher speeds.
That is what my set up is....#5000 boat, air bags, and a 100 series.
My first were Firestone and I replaced them with AirLift. The Firestone had a quick connect system for the air hoses that didn't work well. AirLift uses barbs and clamps. I've had no problems with these at all.
I put the air chuck inside as well, above the rear AC, so it is easily accessible and not dirty. My next venture is to hook up the onboard air compressor to in-cab controls, but I can't decide whether to do it in the rear or on the dash. It's not like I adjust it often at all, but it would be nice to press a button and see it on the gauge, rather than the old fashioned "fill the tire" method.
It makes a world of difference on truck handling while towing that kind of tonque weight.
I put the air chuck inside as well, above the rear AC, so it is easily accessible and not dirty. My next venture is to hook up the onboard air compressor to in-cab controls, but I can't decide whether to do it in the rear or on the dash. It's not like I adjust it often at all, but it would be nice to press a button and see it on the gauge, rather than the old fashioned "fill the tire" method.
It makes a world of difference on truck handling while towing that kind of tonque weight.
I put my controller/gauge inside the glove box. Out of sight but easy to get to.
Make sure you make a BIG hole in the lower spring seat where the tube fits through so it doesn't wear through or pull off. Mine did just that this weekend. It might look like it lines up, but make it bigger anyway so you don't have to go back and re-do it like I now have to.
X2
The instructions suggest enlarging the hole to 3/4" I went larger after seeing 3/4" was going to be a problem. Over a year later all is good.
I did not enlarge my hole and haven't had any problems after three years. I guess I'm playing with fire! 
how do you go about enlarging your hole? Just reaming it?
Drill then die grinder to enlarge and round edges.
When hole was not big enough it would catch when jacking truck up.
When hole was not big enough it would catch when jacking truck up.
The stock hole is not in the center, so it is better to use a hole drill and center it yourself. It is pretty soft metal, only takes a few seconds to drill. But x2 on the grinding the edges.
Sorry to hi-jack here, but do y'all think airbags are the best answer to this problem or something like heavier springs and shocks (slee medium load for example)?
I have the same weight on my boat and while it pulls no problem, it definitely sags a bit in the rear so I'd like to improve that.
The air lift definitely looks like a cheaper and easier option. Good luck Carbon! I'd like to check in to see how it goes for you!
I have the same weight on my boat and while it pulls no problem, it definitely sags a bit in the rear so I'd like to improve that.
The air lift definitely looks like a cheaper and easier option. Good luck Carbon! I'd like to check in to see how it goes for you!
I think air bags are the best idea for preserving the nice ride when not loaded (95% of the time).
I think air bags are the best idea for preserving the nice ride when not loaded (95% of the time).
X22222
I only use the minimum required 5lbs unless I have something in tow. Great ride without or with a trailer in tow.
