Towing and long travel?

Searched for this topic in the forum and found nothing. There may be something in the googlez on this, but figured I'd throw it out there.

So, I just picked up an 08. 2wd, Ivan Ironman Stewart Edition (stage 1), so no SC. It does have the tow package.
Main purpose is for towing.
Currently it has a half completed LT front end (TC uppers/lowers with Icon coilover/resis, and stock rear. I'm very tempted to complete the build in the front and LT the rear. However.. like I said, main purpose is for towing. It would be nice to tow a toy hauler to the dunes, and then disconnect this bad boy and hit the dunes with full LT.

Here's my thought, and would like some educated input on this idea. If I LT the rear, for sake of argument, bolt in bed cage, bypasses, SUA LT deaver springs, hydro bumps, strapped at 18" yada yada, AND do an airbag setup using the daystar cradles, basically the bags are attached to the frame up top, and just sit in the cradles not attached at the bottom, allowing for full suspension articulation without tearing up the bag.

Would that work? Would that be safe? I estimate the trailer to be around 8-9k lbs loaded.
My concern is the bags would limit up travel, but each side could sag around corners without limit. Unless I add a trick adjustable limit strap.

If it's not freezable, no biggie. I have another LT truck anyway.

Thoughts?

 

Can't help with the towing question, but I gotta say that truck looks Badass!!!

 

Nice truck! I converted to a 3” wide rear spring on my SUA, towing would be fine, believe @831Tun and @papasmurf both tow with them. They work really well with load handling and performance. Had the 2 1/2” I96 HD pack, added a leaf and re-arched for max capacity, don’t feel like towing with them would of been good. No help on the air bags, seen a couple air shock set ups that look nice, but idk..

 

Thanks!
Good to hear from someone with experience on the subject

I have towed with my LT 1st Gen a few times. A 4klbs travel trailer up over small mountain passes. no airbags. It was fine. I feel like it would have done better with airbags to cure the sag from the soft suspension. My concern would be with doubling that towing weight. That and encountering sudden gusts of wind, or having to do any evasive maneuvers.

 

I've wondered this too, I'd love to LT and link my Tundra, but I mainly got it for towing. I've heard of setups with a quick release air shock to stiffen the suspension up, but never seen or heard of someone actually doing that. I've thought about quick release air bags, combined with a quick release shorty strap to stop it drooping out. That with a WDH and crank all the bypass tubes closed seems like it might do the trick for handling, but your spring rate would be so low then you're putting a lot of reliance on the air bags (maybe that's not a big deal though). Interested if you figure out a solution that works, like you I tow 4000lbs often and 7000+ isnt uncommon (and will be often in the near future). Maybe LTing my truck will just have to wait until I buy a semi someday

 

So, I've got the same 3" wide leaf pack that @Vizsla has, Deaver's v420. I haven't towed anything over 5k lbs but it seems to be at least as good as stock. There's certainly less droop yet the ride is better, loaded and unloaded, than stock.

 

Damn that red truck is purty.

 

Thanks for the input.
I checked out your buggy build. very impressive.

 

Thanks man! It's what keeps me from LTing the Tundra, if I could comfortably tow it in the future and have the Tundra built out for camping and running around that'd be awesome, but I haven't seen a setup that isn't a big compromise of one or the other.

 

Here's a couple pictures of towing capable LT Tundras

First one is a SS built tundra and second is a Kibbetech build. Both have stowable air shocks that can be swung down and bolted to the axle for towing.

 

Anyone towed with their 3" leafs (V420) yet? How'd it handle it?

 

Yep. Tows great. I've towed several 4-5k lbs loads with my little dump trailer and towed our overland trailer up through Oregon and back. It's far better than a stock setup IMO.