Do air bags help?

[Somey]

We have a Toyota Sienna with a hidden hitch and it really rides low to the ground. Would air bags help or is there any other ideas.

[Greg H]

I have not really looked at the rear suspension on a Sienna, can you use air shocks? They would cost less but I don't know if you can use them. If you use air ride, yes it will help.

[Darwin Maring]

You may want to consider Air Shocks. I've used them on vehicles in the past and they worked like an air bag.

[cpaharley2008]

check with your local toyota dealer, best bet

[Jon Vermilye]

It might also be worth looking at a weight distribution hitch.

[Somey]

We do have a weight distribution hitch, but it rides so low that I have to be careful to always go at a slow angle on any inclines and this can make people mad in back of me. I'll check with the dealer on air shocks as I know air bag are $$$. Thanks

[Thomas G.]

Seems reasonable. Can you install yourself?

2004-2012 Toyota Sienna - Air Lift 1000 Air Helper Springs [REAR] - 60732 | $87.00

[Somey]

this looks interesting and I'll look into it. I don't think I want to do the work but I've got a good mechanic here in town that will do it. Thanks

[Alistair Camelford]

I am in my second winter of towing the Trill to the Keys and back to Canada using Firestone coil air bags in the rear coil springs. I inflate them to 35 psi and the '06 Sienna drives rock solid...no sway...no bounce. I am a convert!
I had my hitch guy install them and it was well worth it. I leave them inflated to 15 psi for the non towing season.
Alistair and Inge in the Road Toad in Bahia Honda State Park

[Michael Pupeza]

I've installed a set of Airlift 1000 into my 1022 Toyota Sienna EXL just 2 months ago. I was easily able to install them using only drive-on ramp stands, without using a commercial jack or even dropping the wheels or removing them. There's a plastic ring protector for the bottom of the spring, then install the deflated airbag into the spring, from a gap near the top. It's a bit tricky installing the air hose in the bottom, but I used a hemostat, like a pair of locking needle nose pliers, to pinch the clip and slide it up to the barb. I ran the hoses to a tee and then put the schrader valve near the trailer hitch. It pumped up fine and has held 30 lb pressure for the 2 months.
I have not used the Sienna to tow with yet, but have noticed that the headlights stay lower even after heavy loading.
My previous 2004 Honda Odyssey benefited well with the same Airlift configuration and do feel that, at under $100, it's definitely worthwhile for towing my Bigfoot 17.
Go for it!
Mike .....>

[Ron F]

I have the Firestone version air lift kit on my 2011 Sienna (similar to the air lift that Thomas G. mentioned in an earlier post). They definitely have helped. I inflate them to the max 35 psi and the Sienna doesn't squat at all with the trailer attached. I got the air lift kit at etrailer. The hose connections on the Firestone kit are push-type fittings (no clamps). You just have to be careful when you position the air bags and the plastic disc in the springs so as keep clearance around the air fitting.

I installed them in December for a trip to FL. I just keep them at 35 psi all the time and they haven't lost any air over the last 3 months.

[Joe MacDonald]

I had the air lift 1000's in my 95 transport for years. At first I used them in conjunction with my Air ride system, then when my air shocks died, i bought heavy duty shocks and just went ahead and filled the air lift when I needed more oomph.
Most of the time i kept them set around 10-15 psi.

In 10+ years, I broke one air bag, in the winter when it was deflated, and hit a bad pothole at -35* C