Recommended Air Bags for a 2023 Toyota Tundra and Do I Need Jounce Bumpers?
Updated 03/07/2026 | Published 03/04/2026
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Question:
I am extremely interested in the Pacbrake Alpha HD Air Bag Suspension Kit for the rear axle on my 2023 Tundra. My question regards whether I should choose model PB42RV with no internal jounce bumper, or one of the two models with the internal bumper PB62RV, or PB44TV which is the model I am really leaning toward right now. Heres why I am unclear on which way to go: At first I assumed I *should* get the model with the internal jounce stop since the OE bump stops will be removed for this installation. Yet I read Gwendolyn saying The internal jounce bumpers will affect your unloaded ride. I wouldnt recommend those if youre concerned about your unloaded ride. https://www.etrailer.com/question-824869.html. In fact, I *DO* care a LOT about the unloaded ride quality. I had Timbren SESs and they destroyed my unloaded ride for me, unloaded already includes ~ 600 permanent pounds of canopy, bedslide and custom dividers which put the weighting at a bad spot for the Timbrens, with or without the spacer. I hated the choppy ride!. I normally use this pickup unloaded as described above or very lightly loaded and I will only very occasionally load the trucks rear axle heavily with a 30 camper trailer in tow. My first thought is that I would/should worry if there is no bump/jounce stop there in case I hit an unexpected pothole or whatever, but I dont want another Timbren-style rough ride when unloaded! So, my question: Will the internal jounce stop in the Pacbrake Alpha HD really in fact degrade the quality of my unloaded ride, and if so, how badly? What is your recommendation?
asked by: Mark R
Expert Reply:
Hey Mark, welcome back! The jounce bumpers in the Pacbrake Alpha HD item # PB62RV or item # PB44TV are meant as a safety feature if you plan on running your air bags with no PSI in them. The jounce bumper would keep you from bottoming out and breaking the mounting brackets.
In my opinion you will not need them and if you do decide to get one of the Pacbrake Alpha HD item # PB62RV or item # PB44TV all you'll need to do is keep the bags moderately inflated, 20 PSI or more, and you'll never notice them. You will not experience the same rough unpleasant ride that a Timbren system provides loaded or unloaded either way you go.
For your 2023 Toyota Tundra, I recommend the Pacbrake Alpha HD item # PB42RV without the jounce bumpers. These air bags have a 5,000 lbs capacity that will level out the rear end of your Tundra when you are towing your trailer or hauling a heavy load in the bed. All mounting brackets and hardware are included for installation.
I also recommend adding the Firestone Air Command item # F2610 to your truck. This onboard compressor will allow you to adjust the PSI in your air bags from your phone. The fittings are compatible with the Pacbrake Alpha HD air bags like item # PB42RV.
What kind of trailer do you pull?
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Mark R.
3/7/2026
Hi Jerred, Thanks for your reply! My Tundra is usually mostly unloaded (though with about 600 pounds of "permanent" weight from the A.R.E. canopy, BedSlide unit, and some custom-built dividers that live on the BedSlide). But to your question ("what kind of trailer do we pull?"), when summer rolls around we like to pull our 30' camper trailer (2017 Forest River Surveyor Family Coach 247BHDS) to quiet spots where we can try to figure out what really matters in life. :) Hint: it ain't work. Best wishes from "Baja Oregon" (translation: extreme northwestern-most California for folks, like me, who shy away from saying I'm a resident of California ... 'cuz most definitely I am NOT a native Californian; just a short-term transplant from Wyoming until we find our next "10-20"). Mark R.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Pacbrake Alpha HD Air Bag Suspension Kit - Rear Axle - 5,000 lbs
- Vehicle Suspension
- Towing/Load Leveling
- Air Springs
- Suspension Only
- Heavy Duty
- Rear Axle Suspension Enhancement
- Pacbrake
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Mark
3/7/2026
Hi Jerred, Thanks so much for your evaluation & write-up which I've read carefully online; much appreciated! I'll soon be ordering a PacBrake airbag solution from you, informed by your advice that you posted. I'll also say that though I'm very handy with the extensive tools in my shop and doing lots of random mods, etc., I'd previously deferred to installers for stuff like this. But no more: the Timbren "fail" was based on a local dealer's recommendation, but he did not plumb the depths of my needs nor how my vehicle's "normal" "unloaded" configuration was actually partially loaded, but he was more than happy to sell me the Timbrens, and installation thereof, without much discussion of my needs. Moreover, once I "wised up" and studied manufacturers' literature/installation information, like for Firestone Ride Rite or Air Lift, or my currently-preferred Pacbrake), I realized that Hey, I can install this; no problem! Which is what I'll do, with airbags & airbag accessories I buy from eTrailer. Btw, I've been an eTrailer customer for quite a while, and after the airbag purchase I'll be making a careful purchase of a weight distribution hitch system (almost certainly I'll choose a Weigh Safe system after a LOT of research). All of this takes a lot of stress/worry off of me, so that our upcoming big trips with our 30' camper trailer should be fun without so much worry. For that, I thank you and eTrailer! Best, Mark R