Air bag rear suspension

[Valmai Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Valmai]

Has anyone fitted air bag suspension to the rear of a 150 Prado.Are towing a 1950 kg ATM caravan & wondering if fitting air bags would help towing.

[trackers Member Find all posts View Profile Close trackers]

Hi Valmai,
We do a lot of caravaning with our 150 GXL Prado, towing a 2200kg van. Have fitted air bags to the rear, and they have made a great difference. Mainly the amount of drop in rear suspension as well has improved sway and stability. You stil need WDH even if you have air bags. I would recommend them. If you would like any further info please message me.
Cheers

[yowie Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close yowie]

Tow a van a bit heavier than yours, an off-road version, have fitted Poly Air bags as well as a suspension upgrade by TJM.

Also use a Hayman Reese weight distribution hitch, and the van sits level with the Prado.

So far so good, travelled southern NSW coast a couple of times, and Sydney to Melbourne, Flinders Ranges and back. Appears to be stable in strong cross winds and on winding roads.

Yowie.

[krypto Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close krypto]

We tow a 1600kg camper and the air bags make a great difference. Car sits more level and feels more stable.

Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk

[Valmai Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Valmai]

Sounds like what we need.Only other problem is the van has a reasonably short draw bar/a frame & it is difficult to attach the WDH.The WDH is supposedly not completely necessary so maybe just the air bags will do?

[toolman1974 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close toolman1974]

what has everyone paid for these ?

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

You should get poly airs for about $300- I have them on my 120 - money well spent BUT be aware that there are 2 different sets - one for standard suspension and one for raised. Lots of info on 120 section in the suspension part. Neil

[Wandy Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Wandy]

Hey - what brand have you fitted and what pressure do you run them towing the van

[krypto Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close krypto]

I use the Firestone Coil Rite bags because I prefer the hose fitting at the top, lots of people also use the Poly Airs. You can install them yourself and save a few bucks but both a mate (he has Polys) and I have had warranty work on the airbags (slow leak) and I'm glad someone else had to do the fix.

I run 28 psi when towing, I believe that the max pressure is 30psi. No one has been able to tell me whether that should be with or without the van. 30psi becomes about 34psi when I attach the van.

[trackers Member Find all posts View Profile Close trackers]

I run Polys and have them at 10lb without van and 18lb whilst towing. Any more witout van gives a very rough ride.
Cheers

[yowie Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close yowie]

I run Poly Airs at 25 psi with the van and 10 psi without. Bump it up to 15 psi if heavy loads in the back of the Prado without the van.

Tyres are Bridgestone D694, run at 40 psi as normal: 45 psi front and 50 psi rear with the van. Same tyres on the van are at 60 psi for highway use. Tyres are rated to 65 psi by the manufacturer.

Yowie.