I am going on record in favor of the Tacoma owners with air bags. I have a 2007 Tacoma Sport short bed, 2WD.
There is some sag in the rear springs when I hitch up my TM 3023 (with normal camping cargo load in the bed) but nothing extreme in my opinion. I believe that air bags could indeed help level out the front to rear angle without exceeding the maximum load on the rear axle.
Damage mentioned previously is typically to the rear suspension when someone way overloads the rear axle load rating of their vehicle, using helper springs or airbags. Those under the false impression that the airbags are "relieving" the load on the axle and springs.
But in the case of the second generation Tacoma, I think the axle rating is plenty sufficient but they may also have a history of weak/sagging rear springs, so if that is the case, helper airbags or springs to level out the truck will not hurt anything.
I have been towing my 3023 with a stock 2007 Tacoma Sport shortbed and have not experienced any problems. There may be a slight bit of rear sag in the truck if heavily loaded, so that is why I am also considering airbags if we decide to carry this kind of load frequently.
The trade off with a WDH seems like way too much extra hitch weight and hassle for the benefit provided on our Tacoma. I would think the same might be true for most other half ton trucks (pulling a TM) as well.
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