Hauling ATVs bottoming out

Hey everyone. I owned a stock 2008 TRD double cab and I hauled 3 ATVs around for 2 years and never bottomed out. The 3 ATVs were loaded in this order. 90 (264lbs) 50 (210) 660 (426) total of 900lbs. I use MAD RAMPS and the heavier ATV hangs off the back (see photo). This photo was taken on my 2008, should have taken one fully loaded on the new truck, next time.

I loaded them in my stock 2018 TRD double cab last weekend and was bottoming out numerous times driving the same route? It seems I'm going to have to make some modifications. I'm not really interested in lifting the vehicle but not opposed to it. I was thinking of adding airbags, but open to any other solutions. I know a trailer would resolve my problems, I don't have anywhere to store it though.

Any thoughts would be appreciated, thanks

 

Put the heavier one in the front, with it hanging off the back the ramps are acting as a lever of the rear axle. Moving the heavier weight forward should help.

 

Get yourself an Air-Lift system.

 

I can get my stock DC to bottom out just driving normal. I want to say your old truck was bottoming out as well you just didn’t notice. I don’t think much has changed.

 

You could get some superbumps and use the same cradle from timbren and switch back-and-forth when you’re hauling loads.

 

Just googled madramps, those are really nice.
I'd look into some load carrying bump stops, air bags are kinda a pain to deal with at times and more expensive.

 

That’s a pretty good solution I’m sort of doing for the occasional tow. No playing with air pressures and stock ride when not towing. I’d only get bags if I towed long distances several times per year, I’ve read people definitely feel those when empty. And if I was under constant load 365, I’d look into Alcans/Deavers or some type of add-a-leaf.

What Sean means is Timbrens sit higher than Superbumps, so when not towing you don’t want to be smacking the Timbrens when hitting bumps/potholes. Switching in the SB’s allow more clearance while still offering bumpstop protection. It’s just one top bolt whereas stock bumpstops require changing out the whole foot, those 2 clamps each side.

 

Yep I think you are where I got the idea LOL. When the time comes this is what I will probably be doing along with a 2+ shackle. Probably go with the toytech for the option to adjust and spare tire clearance later.

 

Install and forget.

https://www.supersprings.com/shop/SSR-610-47/

I've been running these for almost a year now. Tow with them regularly. Haul dirtbikes in the bed regularly. Don't notice them too much while driving.

 

Same thing as a Timbren. How was the ride when I unloaded?

 

Not the same. The sumo springs are a micro cellular urethane, and the Timbrens are rubber. Many of my customers have complained that the Timbren was bouncy with out a load and the sumo springs soak up the bumps unloaded. Both are used in the same fashion just not the same product.

 

If you get shackles, you will need spacers to make up the clearance. Then skip Superbumps altogether and remove the spacers when not towing, unless you off-road and anticipate hitting the lower Timbrens.



I think I went Timbrens over Sumos because a spacer setup was special order from overseas at the time for Sumos. It also didn’t look as easy doing the switch out when not towing.

 

No noticeable difference in unloaded ride.
Loaded makes all the difference in the world. 2 months ago I had to haul (40) 6x4x12 solid concrete blocks, used them to place a shed on in my back yard. The truck squatted maybe an inch, never bottomed once, and felt very planted. I tow a 28' toyhauler regularly, 8k loaded.

Agree with @Mike's Custom Toys , the Timbrens are rubber with a chamber design. The SumoSprings are urethane. The SumoSprings have a controlled compression and rebound. Rubber is bouncy, one of the main complaints I read about Timbrens. Timbrens also tend to give a very firm loaded ride, where the SumoSprings still allow for a certain amount of additional controlled compression. The biggest difference in the 2 materials is the rebound, throw a rubber ball on the ground, now through a foam ball on the ground.

 

Brrrrraaaaap!!

 

Thanks for the info again. At least there are options if you want to leave the timbrens in and just remove spacers when not towing or throw in the superbump if I need some flex.

 

Are they easily removed if I wanted flex for off-roading. Is there something smaller that can be put in their place like a normal bump stop?

 

They thread onto their mounting base. Looks like an 8mm bolt on the plate. You can unthread the SumoSprings while leaving the bracket on the truck. I'm not sure what you would thread back in their place though.

 

HmmmI’m curious if a super bump would bolt into place. That would be sweet.

 

Mostly singletrack, enduro, and adventure riding now.

 

Would just need to find something with the same thread. Maybe another universal bump stop. Really anything rubber with the same threads.

Worth a few emails to the manufacturers of Timbren and SumoSpring.

 

Very nice!

I plan to transition off the track and into the woods. Of course I that means I want another bike... Haha

 

The unloaded ride of either should be like nothing was there as it’s an open space. I think the difference is when you hit them during suspension travel and you’ll feel it either way with the Sumos less harsh. Note Sumos come in different weight capacities, blue, black and yellow in increasing stiffness.

 

I rode/raced tracks in SoCal, inland empire, and then Pennsylvania over the course of about 10 years. I always enjoyed freeriding more, exploring, finding the gnarliest singletrack possible. I haven't ridden a track in 6 years, no interest to go back either.

 

There's these things that are made called trailers, work great for hauling ATVs and other large items or multiple items...

LOL messin with ya....

 

Lol yeah i’ve done it both ways. The trailer is great but you’re stuck at that speed limit. I used to love getting everything in the back of the truck so I could hit the express lane! I could make it to Gorman in about an hour.

 

That's awesome. Nothing like fun on two wheels!

 

I thought most states had restrictions on how fast you can drive with a trailer.

 

Well on our freeways we have limits for the trucks with trailers. Out on the highway that usually goes up. We don’t have 75 mph speed limit here anyways unless it’s out on the 10. And that might be 70. Our freeways just have too many on/off ramps for some tractor-trailers to be going that fast.