Rear Suspension Air bags?

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

I'm looking at a 2011 Tundra to replace my 2005, because I need the power of a 5.7. An older guy has owned it since new, 83K miles and garaged most of its life. I'd get a black Tundra back too, I really like my 05. He says the truck is in excellent condition. The price may be real good, I'll probably see it tomorrow.

At any rate, he says it has rear suspension air bags. I know nothing about them, but what better cast to ask than this one I did locate the video below. It basically says air bags are useless, and another link says they're user intensive. Be interesting to see what he's been towing. I forgot to ask, though he upgraded the shocks because he busted one (hmm).

My questions about airbags:

1. Is it just as well to leave the air bags deflated at all times? I know how to use weight distribution bars. Believe me, I can tell you what exactly what not to do too. That one hurt, I was dumb and the luck ironic.

2. In what manner would the factory rear suspension have been compromised?

3. Do airbags reduce the value of a vehicle?

Thanks for any education.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBZu39pQ8Gg

[mongocanfly]

I started out reading this thinking you meant the saftey airbags...
After I see the rear helper bags are what your asking for...
I have a set on my 13 GMC...had a set on my 99 Chevy and have a set for my C30

Are they factory bags or aftermarket?
its best to have a little (maybe 5lbs) of air in the bag when not in use..
Doubtful the suspension is compromised
They probably add value to the truck to the right buyer...the other buyers would have no clue what they're used for

They work...

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

They're after-market, I'll ask what kind. I revised the OP so it's more clear, appreciate your input. Being he busted a shock, I better give the rear end a good look. He says he was rear-ended too, damaging the bumper only.

[mongocanfly]

When I put the set on my GMC I had to remove the bump stop...other than that they just bolt to the axle and frame..I've seen busted shocks from all sorts of things...I'd just check it over real well and go with your best judgement..

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

When I put the set on my GMC I had to remove the bump stop...other than that they just bolt to the axle and frame..I've seen busted shocks from all sorts of things...I'd just check it over real well and go with your best judgement..

Sounds good, thanks Mongo

[Andy4639]

Helper bags in my 71 are great. I added them myself and really like the way my 71 rides. It's floating on air!
Mine are inside the coils. I liked the rear so well I added them to the front as well.

They really are great though for leveling the truck up if loaded.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Personally I prefer helper air bags over extra duty springs. They keep the softer factory ride, and still are great for heavy loads.

A guy I know uses a bike pump to fill his up as he usually only needs 30psi to get ride height back. I will do the same when I add mine to my Silverado, but I need to custom fab mine to fit. Since I lowered the truck2/5

[Andy4639]

I can fill the rears up from the cab. The fronts I have a schreader valve in the spoiler to fill them. I leave 20lbs in them all the time. No need to fill them like the backs. Only if the leak down. The white needle is fronts and Red is rear.
I keep 20 lbs in the rear also.

[slomotion]

I put a set of Air Ride bags under the back of the flatbed in place of the coil springs. (I was able to do this because of the anti sway bar and the trailing arms.) I have a small compressor under the hood and a switch under the dash which allows me to inflate/deflate the bags depending on the situation. I run 45 PSIG in them all the time and had the headlights aimed at this pressure so I wouldn't blind on coming traffic at night. The only compromise is the truck leans a little on a hard turn.
Not the greatest photos, but the small gauge closest the column is the air gauge. Green for rear, and the red will be the front if I ever put a set in.
You can just make out the bag in the second photo just forward of the rear tire.

[Axle]

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

My questions about airbags:

1. Is it just as well to leave the air bags deflated at all times? I know how to use weight distribution bars. Believe me, I can tell you what exactly what not to do too. That one hurt, I was dumb and the luck ironic.

You'll want some air in there to keep the bag in position.

2. In what manner would the factory rear suspension have been compromised?

It wouldn't. Odds are a tacoma rides like a passenger car and the moment you put any weight in the back the rear end squats like its on an asian toilet.
Easiest way to keep your car ride when empty, and provide support for a load is airbags.

3. Do airbags reduce the value of a vehicle?

No. You could argue they add a couple dollars (dollars, not hundreds) of value since they are already there and you won't need to add them.

Alex.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by slomotion

I put a set of Air Ride bags under the back of the flatbed in place of the coil springs. (I was able to do this because of the anti sway bar and the trailing arms.) I have a small compressor under the hood and a switch under the dash which allows me to inflate/deflate the bags depending on the situation. I run 45 PSIG in them all the time and had the headlights aimed at this pressure so I wouldn't blind on coming traffic at night. The only compromise is the truck leans a little on a hard turn.
Not the greatest photos, but the small gauge closest the column is the air gauge. Green for rear, and the red will be the front if I ever put a set in.
You can just make out the bag in the second photo just forward of the rear tire.

Beautiful truck

[slomotion]

Thank you Tony.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

My questions about airbags:

1. Is it just as well to leave the air bags deflated at all times? I know how to use weight distribution bars. Believe me, I can tell you what exactly what not to do too. That one hurt, I was dumb and the luck ironic.

2. In what manner would the factory rear suspension have been compromised?

3. Do airbags reduce the value of a vehicle?

1- all bags that I've seen require a minimum pressure to keep the bag from rubbing on itself when compressing. My 98 requires 10psi.
2- Compromised? Bags are an addition. They make it better not worse.
3- No they increase the value.