Towing Suspension Suggestions

I know there's tons of info on this forum regarding suspension ideas, so forgive me if the answer is out there somewhere...

I have a 2017 1794. Bought it one year ago (and LOVE it). I want to add just a bit more firmness to the rear for pulling a 4k pound travel trailer. I have a load distribution set up, and when hooked up, there is only a slight drop. The longest distance towing so far is 6hrs. We're going to start venturing further out. I had a 2010 Taco for 10 yrs with upgraded suspension all around. I was used to the lift being firm w/trailer in tow. The Tundra is so much smoother than the Taco, I'm ok with the ride being firmer w/o a trailer. I know air bags are one solution, but they're not cheap, and all I think about is when they eventually break. I don't want to get too crazy - just looking to add a little bit of girth to the rear. Add a leaf? A local 4x4 guy said there's also something that slips over the rear shock to add support? I'm not a mechanic (as you can probably tell). Thanks in advance for the ideas!

 

Roadmaster Active Suspension HD kit is what I would and did install. Lots of people here would also agree.

 

Haven't seen these before - thanks. Me like.

 

like 2muchfun said, RAS is a great option, I have it on mine and helps a lot with towing.

 

I have owned two tundras and put Roadmaster Active Suspension on both. Get the HD option and use the white spacer for spring rate. You can always adjust to a stiffer spring if needed later on. You won't be disappointed. Adding a rear sway bar, either the TRD Pro or Hellwig will help with stability.

 

I'm between 550 and 600# tongue weight and feel the truck rides better than being lightly loaded. I'm also running a puff or two of extra air in the rear tires when towing. Maybe the 1784 has a softer suspension than my 21 SR5.

 

I’m running 6112 / 5160 billy combo and have been completely satisfied using it to tow 6,500 lbs of boat, gear, and trailer on 33” tires. It handles bumps with the weight very well and has no problem handling high speed washboard when empty.

 

Thanks to all. Great feedback and was wondering if I should add the TRD sway bar - now I know!

 

If your towing between 4,000 lbs and 5,000 you don't need a rear sway bar. I tow a 6,500 lbs travel trailer without a rear sway bar and it tows just fine. Also adding a rear sway bar, takes 100lbs off you load capacity of your truck.

 

Why do you recommend the HD option?

 

Not challenging you, but only curious as how the sway bar removes capacity, would you care to elaborate, please?

 

In the event you follow the payload police rules, when you add weight to the truck it is subtracted from payload capacity, throw in a coke lose 1 lb of capacity. Silly I know, but technically correct.

 

I thought the standard load was for 1/2 tons, HD for 2500/3500 trucks? What was the reason you went with the HD kit?

RAS in on my list to purchase. I have Eibach Pro truck stage 2 suspension waiting to install, and planned RAS for the rear to stop sag and lift the rear about an inch, inch and half.

 

I am running the RAS now and it works pretty good. I do not like the additional sag with while towing a trailer. It is better than stock but still under par in my opinion. It doe aleive axle wrap and sway. That said I have run both the TRD and Hellwig rear sway bars with air bags on my 3 other Tundras and liked the ride but off roading was a bit of a bear. I ran the new daystar puck floating bag system with my 3" lifted Taco and it ran flawlessly and I was able to adjust/level the height for each specific load whether I was hauling my motorcycle, boat, or trailer. If I could add a daystar puck and airbag to the RAS I would be stoked... not sure if that is an option. Also, the RAS rolls a little more than the sway bar system in my opinion. Again, it is a great system but not as tight for handling as the Hellwig or TRD Sway Bar. Also... I may be moving back to the Airbag system/Sway bar soon and I will post up my RAS (only 3k on them - Oregon to Utah and back with a trailer).
I’m only sharing these pics so you don’t think I’m full of shit…

 

Some here are questioning why the HD model. Well in my world, it makes sense to have more capacity than needed and then the system isn't working as hard, which in most mechanical systems means the longevity or life expectancy of the system increases. I like durability, so HD it is.

 

You can do what I did and swap to Dobinson's HD 7 leaf pack, and yellow Sumo springs with RAS HD kit. I promise, I load over a ton in my truck and it squats only about an inch and a half.

 

I thought they spec’s the HD RAS for the heavier 250/350 springs, that won’t cause issues like rebound or bouncing when paired with a lighter spring?

 

Dobbins springs are nice! I upgraded my entire rear end on my former taco (see my post above) and had zero issues!

 

No problems here, my shocks are Bilstein 5160's w res, also have BDS recoil traction bars for very minimal axle wrap.

 

I am looking at adding the Magnison SC soon. I like the idea of the recoil traction bars... are they noisy? I used to have the Pro Comp 6" lift with the SC and the traction bars were a must!

I am now running the 8" (insert "he has a tiny dk joke" here) Ready Lift and will have to get some sort of traction bar or at the very least upgrade my spring packs... I had a Tundra on a Bulletproof 12" suspension and had Atlas springs made to fit (no blocks) but the ride was a bit harsh. It was on 40's so that helped a little bit... hahahahaha.

 

No the BDS are not noisy, pretty well made product in my book. Been on for about 9 months now. Put about 6k on em so far.

 

Perfect! Thanks for the feedback! My former trucks I mentioned earlier. The e-truck is for size perspective…hahaha

 

(Newbie on suspensions here) -

2021 Tundra Trail w/TRD sway bar and Eaz Lift 1,000 lbs weight distribution hitch used when pulling 7000lb travel trailer w/750lb hitch weight.

Truck and Trailer are very close to level with this setup and pull nicely (exceptions below):

What I notice and would like to improve:

1) Extended porpoising (up/down) with highway undulations - continues after road flattens out.

2) side-to-side movement when 18-wheelers are passing

Some people have recommended air bags and compressor but will this RAS address these problems with less maintenance and fuss?

Other recommendations?

Thanks for your opinions...

 

For that weight and what you describe, custom leaf packs from somewhere like Alcan may be the best bang for your buck. I’ll probably order some to replace my OEM springs in the next year or two.

 

RAS and a set of good shocks will help you a bunch with the porpoise problem. An anti sway bar on your hitch will help with your side to side.

 

Will the ICON rxt multi rate leaf spring pack be a solution to squatting? Paired with black sumo springs and 1.5 inch toytec shackles?

 

It has a stronger spring rate for tongue weights that exceed 600lbs. And at a price point of only $70 more I could always dial the HD's back. I can't tighten the Standard duty to hit the HD level

 

Make damn sure that you're getting everything you can from that WDH system. If it's set up like mine was from dealer, you're not... Read the directions and follow them. I did this and eliminated a lot of the proposing you describe. Replacing the low-quality RV tires with heavier rated Goodyear Endurance tires made a huge difference, as well. Hard to do on a brand new trailer, but it was worth it...

I do have air bags and cradles, which were necessary with the OEM rear springs. They were just so soft... I just put Deaver U748 springs in with new ADS shocks and I'm not sure that the air bags are even needed now. I'll be towing my TT a few hundred miles this weekend and we shall see.

I have no experience with the RAS.

 

For the tundra they make two versions. A standard kit for tongue weights up to 600lbs and a HD kit for tongue weights over 600lbs. The price difference is $70. So I went with the HD because I can dial it back if needed.

I ran mine on spaced to the max and the truck still road super smooth and I was able to level out perfectly my tractor and trailer setup.

 

What brand of WDH do you have? Fast Way E2 and Equalizer use a friction damping for sway control and that also helps slightly over the whoop-dee-doos. Staying as close to the Toyota recommended 9-11% tongue weight also helps.