Alcan vs Dobinsons?

Hey all, currently have coachbuilder a +2 shackle and stock leafs in the rear. Towed the trailer for the first time about 900 miles round trip with a tongue weight about 900 pounds with about 50 lbs additional in the bed. Even with a WDH it was squatting a little bit causing to hit bumps on moderate bumps. I’m looking into leaf packs, I got a quote from alcan, 1” lift and 800lbs over stock for about 1200$ shipped, was also considering the 121 dobinson leaf packs, does anyone have any experience with either packs? Thank you!

 

I have the Dobinson’s L59-120-R. Went with them because the Deavers weren’t available at the time.

So far so good. Dobinson’s has the additional add on set if I need it later.

 

First of all, what a fantastic looking truck you have, sir. Well done.

I can not directly answer your question about alcan or dobinson leaf packs. Just wanted to mention that I used to have CB +2s as well, but I went back to OEM shackles and kept the greasable CB bushings. I also added RAS HD.

Benefits of RAS HD:
• truck feels like it has a rear sway bar
• you lose very little if any articulation while off-roading
• you can dial it up to carry EDIT 50% of your payload with zero squat whatsoever.

Depending on what else you’re carrying in the truck, you’re probably right to look at aftermarket leaf packs with 900 lb of trailer tongue weight. I would maybe reconsider using extended shackles, though. If your leafs are flexing all the way to the bump stops with extended shackles, they’re hyperextended due to the extra distance they have to cover to reach the bump stops. That will wear out leaf springs faster, especially the OEM leafs which were made more for articulation than load-bearing to begin with.

Some people combine RAS and less-stiff leaf packs. You might be a good candidate for that, especially if you drive your truck a lot without towing.

 

How is the ride with them unloaded?

 

If you search Alcan, quite a few of us have them. No issues with mine.

 

Also hit up @memario1214. Pretty sure he carries everything you have mentioned.

@Terndrerrr basically said what I would have said but he said it better.

 

Rides great, although I switched my entire suspension at the same time I did the leafs including ADS 3.0 Coilovers w/ resi’s (adj. clickers) and UCA’s in the front, ADS 2.5’s w/resi (adj. clickers) in the rear.

Rides so much better than the stock TRD off road package that it came with.

BTW - your truck looks awesome! What front bumper is that?

 

It seems like such a balancing act. If @Js18tundra gets 800lb leaf packs to carry his trailer's tongue weight, then I would think empty ride quality would suffer. So do you pair heavy leafs with super expensive shocks? Or would less stiff leafs (that are still stiffer than stock) paired with RAS be a better ticket?

 

I do have Dobinsons MRR’s front and rear so I’m not worried about shocks, I just don’t want to feel like I’m driving an unloaded dump truck around town

 

I have little to no skin in this game, with blocks and stock leafs on my Tundra (bought it that way, and will soon upgrade to Icon AALs with RAS).

That being said I have Alcan leafs on my '03 Tacoma and they're outstanding. I load that truck to the gills with camping/hunting gear, and it really handles the weight well. They also ride surprisingly decent even unladen with nothing in the bed, which really surprised me when I first installed them.

So I'd vote Alcans personally for your use case. But then again RAS looks great. Maybe start with RAS alone then add upgraded leafs if necessary.

 

@Js18tundra

Only thing I have in the bed at all times is my 37” spare tire/wheel. I don’t notice any stiffness. This is not my daily driver though so I only drive it on weekends/vacationing. Haven’t put a lot of miles on it yet.

Can you post some more pics of your bumper? I’m eyeballing that one, RCI and Ironman.

You must be close to me because I remember asking if anyone knew a shop in NorCal that does gearing and you mentioned Stellarbuilt.

 

There a few threads on the RAS system, I don't think anyone considers it a bandaid. I also haven't seen anyone post about being disappointed by the system after they installed it. I know it blew my expectations but I've only driven unloaded and with a light load.

 

RCI front bumper.

 

What about HD springs from general? They won't break the bank
https://www.generalspringkc.com/2007-2018-toyota-tundra-heavy-duty-rear-leaf-spring-5-4-1-leaves/

 

I have had the L59-120-R for a little over 3 years now. They do firm up the unloaded ride a bit, but I imagine the E rated mud terrain tires don't help either. I really disliked the weak OEM springs, so I've been very happy with these. The truck felt like a minivan before and I hated that. Now it feels like an actual truck.

The RAS may still be a very good option for you as well. I've heard very good things about them and people seem to be happy. For me, I wanted stiffer springs year round, plus a bit of lift (I also have a 1" lift shackle).

I have towed cars all the way to Maine and Connecticut, and back again from PA, and a very overweight travel trailer once lol, with these springs and a full Dobinson's shock set up. I have been nothing but pleased. I wouldn't hesitate to buy them again.

 

Another vote here for RAS.

My situation: 2016 trd pro with no suspension mods. Hooking up my m1101 trailer, id squat 2 inches, which was problematic given the extreme height of the lunette on that thing. Trailer was pretty nose down and truck was nose up (exaggerated by the trd pro lift up front).

Went back and forth between airbags and replacement alcans. Didn't like the idea of airbags and alcans with a lift done right means new rear shocks, which I didn't want to drop the money on right now. Found a new in box hd RAS on marketplace for $300 and thought why not?

First side took about 45 minutes to install, second side was maybe 15... Super easy.

RAS was dialed to the lower setting (white washer, 1mm). Empty, gained about 1.75" lift in the rear. Loaded with the trailer the truck squats about .5".

Ride when empty feels slightly firmer, but also more planted and sure.

Now I'm reconsidering even replacing the springs...

 

I run Sumo Springs with my travel trailer. Can't say if they are better than RAS, but they certain do work very well at keeping the spring from flattening out which is what seems to kill the stock the leaf springs. I have 21k on my truck and at least 10k of that is towing. My springs are still like new. The frame doesn't touch the Sumos unloaded; passenger side has about 1/2" of clearance and driver has about 1/8" (Yota lean). Truck seems to handle bumps really nicely with them installed and flexing it out it'll still stuff a tire, just not quite as much as stock but again it's not flattening out the springs. Sumo Springs offers a version for lifted trucks as well.

I just installed my Eibach shocks set at 1.9" which left me with a .5" rake. With the trailer hitched it's about .5" nose high, so the Sumos do work well. I'm adding a 1" block in the rear for now as mine are in good shape. If I had shackles, I'd check with Sumo Springs to see about getting a set for that much more lift.

I've seen these discussed a lot, but not a lot of feedback on how they are with 2nd gens. Almost seems like a good option with a shackle, but again I think I've only seen one post here from someone who has run them.