Any options to "restore" towing to "new"?

Sorry for the awkward title. I've been towing at right about max payload for 3 years, fulltime (2016 Tundra Platinum towing 2016 27FB Airstream). With the Airstream tongue weight, by the time we get in the truck we're pretty much at our max of 1200lbs. I use a solid WD setup but it definitely "feels" different towing today than it did when we first drove off the lot. To be expected, of course, but wondering if new leaf springs or other options would bring truck back to how it felt, if that makes sense.

 

how many miles on the truck? Heavy towing can accelerate wear on items, so yes your suspension may need attention. Is your truck stock, any mods, still have the factory black shocks?

The factory black shocks- standard stocks, not the OR or Sport package are the softest. Generally they start to loose dampening about 50k miles. Depending on how many miles are on your truck, could need to replace them and or the rear leafs if they are inverted. The Tundra leaves are pretty flat, slight curve up, they could be sagging.

If you dont have one, you should consider the rear TRD sway bar, nice upgrade, works well for towing stability and only a couple hundred bucks.

 

Truck is stock, no mods, 85K total miles, about 25K-30K of that towing at max. I believe I've got the sway bar. Who might be best to bring to for leaf replacement?

 

at 85k miles and towing that much the stock shocks are probably toast, for sure if they are the factory black shocks. As far as replacement rear springs, you can often find take off units from when people lift their truck for super cheap. Check the marketplace here, and local facebook and craigslist, or purchase new from your dealer or online. sparks toyota parts is a popular vendor for stock and upgrade items.

If you are looking for aftermarket rear leafs, check out the suspension forum here and do a search there (upper right), there are several threads about that. Generally the different vendors will build them based on your needs and specs, such as lifted or not, and amount of weight you tow/haul. Here is an older thread with some good info to get you started https://www.tundras.com/threads/replacement-leaf-springs-recommendations.16036/

 

On my 2013, the black shocks were shot at 39K. Those would be the first to get replaced.