Suspension for hauling 700 - 900lbs

Hi guys, new to the site. Traded in my 2012 DC TRD package for a 2017 Crewmax 1794 edition. Absolutely love the truck. Question is, I own a garden center and use my truck to pick up some stuff often. Nothing crazy, but for instance this fall I will pick up a bin of pumpkins weekly that will weigh 700 - 900 lbs. My 2012 with the TRD off road package with Bilstein shocks didn't have a problem, but I'm a little concerned with my 1794 edition with just the stock shocks. Should I look to replace the stock shocks with Bilstein? Would a better set of leaf springs help? It is also my daily driver with the wife and 2 year old so I still want a nice ride, nothing to firm and bouncy. Any other ideas would be appreciated.

 

Should not be a problem. People here regularly tow with their CM 4x4's with that much weight on the hitch without issue.

 

Remember shocks are not your suspension, they dampen your suspension, in this case springs.
I haul over 900lb a lot and it's fine.
I would try a test haul as is and see how it goes. Remember, to a point, the more the load the better it rides lol. Now one thing that could help, especially if you don't like the wallowing in corners, are the TRD sway bars. When I test drove, I could definitely feel the difference between the truck that had them and the truck that did not. I bought the truck that had them.

 

Thanks for your reply. My concern is I don't have the off road package on this truck like I did on my 2012. I have been reading about the sway bar. Seems like an inexpensive mod that most are happy with.

 

You'll be fine with that weight. Just practice safe driving. I wouldn't worry about the 1794 not having the off road package. The sway bar will help you stay stabilized.

@1engineer said it best that shocks are not your suspension. If you're worried about squatting, you could always look into getting airbags so that at least you're level. It won't increase your payload capacity but at least you wont be squatting in the rear.

Lastly, is using a trailer an option?

 

I have a 2019 SR DC, 5.7L 4x4. I put a sway bar on and 6112s front/ 5100s in rear with +1 shackles leaving me about a 1” rake:

I just hauled about 800-900 lbs of soil for my garden and truck was squatting a bit but still handled good.

Sway bar is a great mod adds a lot of stability to the rear.

 

If you were happy with the way your 2012 Offroad handled the load which didn't have a rear sway bar you will be happy with the 2017 without a sway bar.

 

Thanks guys for the input. Sounds like I am worrying a little too much. Looks like a TRD rear sway bar is my next purchase.

 

If your 2012 shocks if original were worn out anyways. I can’t imagine your newer truck feeling much different than those were

 

Hellwig or TRD rear anti-roll bar for sure, and maybe Air-Lift bags if you want to avoid the squat.

 

I just installed the TRD rear sway bar today. You guys wete right. What a huge difference. Truck feels much more stable when turning. I think I'm going to order some bilstein 4600 tonight. I have no desire to ever lift the truck, so I'm going with the 4600.

 

As noted above, changing shocks won’t help with added weight. If you want avoit the squat, check out Deaver HD leaf springs or air bags.

 

Sunnier, thanks for your input. I understand the shocks won't help with payload, just want to upgrade. I just purchased the truck used. Truck is really clean, but i find myself wanting to replace/upgrade a few things for peace of mind. If I do go with Deaver HD leaf springs, will that affect the quality of my ride? While I do use it every day for work, it's still my family truck too with the wife and 2 year old.

 

Yes, the HD springs would shore your truck up to carry an extra 600-700 pounds (Jeff at Deaver can tell you more exactly how much extra weight they’re designed for)... but your truck would feel stiff when you’re not carrying extra bed weight.

As was mentioned above, you could check out air bags for use only when you’re carrying extra weight. On our trucks, when you carry close to a thousand pounds in the bed, you’ll feel more than just a squat; front tires will float a bit, which can mess with the responsiveness of steering, and brakes will also be less effective. Our trucks are really just big babies (half tons) so when you try to use yours like a *truck* you’ll have to be extra careful.

 

Thanks, got it. Might just have to look into a small trailer. I'm probably just worrying too much. I never had problems with my 2012, and it got used daily for 8 years without 1 problem. The heaviest thing i put in the bed is a bin of pumpkins. The shrubs and occasional tree don't weigh more than 500 lbs.