Road master active suspension or sway bar?

Ok so question. I had a 2020 sport model that had the sway bars from factory and I liked how the truck felt stable especially with towing. I'm currently waiting on a 2021 off-road. I'm debating on adding the rear sway bar again since I don't really off-road anything extreme. Now someone on another thread told me to check out the roadmaster active suspension. The thing I like about the roadmaster is the ability to help with payload. Now would the road master in a sense do the same thing as the sway bar as far as stability? I'm definitely getting something I just don't know which yet. Thanks

 

I think he means help THE payload as in with the truck loaded. I see nothing but good reviews of the RAS. I am tempted to try it. The tundra sinks to the bumpstops with 50% of its payload rating in the box

 

I loved my RAS. Definitely helps support the payload and tightens up the rear end. I don’t think you could go wrong either way but I would buy the RAS first

 

That person you discussed this with would be me. Now, please inform me how a sway bar doesn't affect the payload rating, it also adds weight. It's not always about the payload rating on the vehicle, it is about how the payload is managed. Keeping the vehicle level and having steering and front brakes is vital. BTW, enjoy your new truck!

 

Well I know a sway bar is cheaper but I found someone selling their used roadmaster for like 350 I want to jump on depending on what's better

 

The roadmaster definitely won’t increase your capacity but will change the way the truck carries it. I imagine if the truck rides stiffer it will help in the corners but not exactly the same thing as an anti-roll or swaybar. The sway bar is connecting both sides of the axle causing them to act more as one when the suspension cycles. So when going around a corner the truck’s much less likely to lean over without the other side axle going up or down with it. I’m not experienced with the roadmasters but it sounds like you can set them up stiffer to handle more load which also helps with cornering and stability.

If you plan on filling that bed of the truck up often, obviously within the manufacture limits, I would probably shoot for those road masters. If you still think you would like a sway bar after that, add that too. You can always recoup some of your losses by selling one or the other if you don’t like it.

 

I run both the TRD rear sway bar and the RAS on my 2015 CM LTD TRD off road often towing my 8 1/2 x24 enclosed fully loaded with no issues I always use a WDH (weight distributing hitch)

 

You can do both. I find the sway bar to be enough and it's very cost effective. Likely the best single mod you can do for the ride quality. Towing is fine once you get a WDH, I don't see any need for spring mods.

 

I would agree the most important part of the setup is a WDH when it comes to towing. The RAS helps keep the truck level with just a load in the box without adversely affecting the ride . The sway bar helps control the body roll in the turns . But it is all a matter of preference.