Roadmaster Active suspension review

Just curious, was there another reason besides this install that you disconnected your rear sway?

 

Nope. I didn't know if I needed to, or not. I've see some pics here of others disconnecting when installing RAS, so I did too. I disconnected while on the ground. Then, while still in the air, I tried reconnecting. That was a no-go, so after I got my wheels on, let it down it, and while I was torquing, reconnected.

 

I’m interested to hear what you think about those shocks coupled with the RAS.

 

I'm maybe not one to ask. I had a 2wd F150, stock, for 19 years before my Tundra. I've not much experience 4 wheeling, nor changing/evaluating suspensions. Plan is for the off-roading part to change. We are gearing up for overlanding, and knowing us we'll load out the bed and racks with 1000 lbs +, two dogs and more in the cab. I got the Eibach Stage 2Rs over Bilsteins for after install adjustability, that and not needing to mess with shims for driver's side lean; performance comparisons were less of a consideration. The RAS is in anticipation of loaded weight, and to maintain a little rake. Plus it has some after install adjustability, too. First impressions with just the rear done is, with speed bumps, as well as higher speed dips, bed bounce is gone. Otherwise, on pavement, it felt as good as stock.

 

I have had the HD kit on my 21 trd pro double cab now for about 1,000 miles and am thoroughly satisfied with how this kit performs and enhances the suspension!

It has made towing and hauling a much more enjoyable experience, especially combined with the trd pro suspension. I was struggling with the rear end sag due to the leveled suspension and this has resolved it for the loads I haul and tow.

 

Does anyone know what aftermarket leaf springs work with the RAS?



I have 130k miles with plenty of towing on my OEM leaf springs. When I hook my trailer up I have a significant lean to the drivers side in the rear even with the HD RAS at the highest setting. I'm thinking my leaf springs are pretty shot so I need to upgrade but I don't want to lose the benefits that RAS provides.

Option 1) Find a used pair of OEM leafs on marketplace
Option 2) Buy aftermarket 5-leaf OEM upgraded pack - https://www.generalspringkc.com/2007-2018-toyota-tundra-heavy-duty-rear-leaf-spring-5-4-1-leaves/
Option 3) Buy Deavers Medium Duty or Dobinsons Heavy Duty leaf springs
Option 4) Deaver overload springs

 

@memario1214 might have some insight. Or you could email RAS.

 

Thanks appreciate it! I guess if I went with a new Deaver leaf spring pack I could try with or without the RAS and see how that goes. My Tundra is more for towing and family trips not really off-roading, thats what my Tacoma is for!

Speaking of that you must be the same memario1214 from Tacomaworld, if seen many posts from you before lol

 

Yeah that's a good thought too. Typically only towing 1-2 times a month from March to September. So the Deavers alone, with my WDH might be sufficient.

You know I was in Browning, MT last summer for a while!

 

Does everyone feel the HD system could take the place of the TRD rear sway bar in terms of sway control?

I’m going to install the HD kit and would like to eliminate the sway bar if I can

 

Thats my plan once I can find the time to install my RAS kit. Looking forward to gaining articulation and the sides to work independently from each other. You will probably gain a little body roll (going to RAS from sway bar) but it should be no where near the body roll without either.

 

I don’t have the trd sway bar. However last week I went through the gorge between nc and tn. We go through there all the time. However this time I had my 6x12 enclosed trailer loaded and with just the ras hd it was on rails. I couldn’t believe the difference. And then a few days ago I came through there again unloaded and no trailer and it was the same. Almost totally eliminated the body roll. My fronts need to be replaced and I will put Eibach stage 2 but just the ras hd made a massive difference.

 

Just adding the rad basically totally eliminated the body roll. I still have a bit but it’s from the front stock suspension with 119000 miles. Just my thoughts.

 

Ditto in my experience, along with killing porpoising/bottoming out on bad bumps when towing heavy.

 

For you guys that had a rear sway bar that you removed when you installed the RAS. Did you have the stock bolt that gets removed when you install the sway bar? If you didn't, which bolt did you put back?

From what I can tell its this hitch bolt (90080-11491) but figured I'd ask. My truck came with the sway bar so I don't have the bolt that gets removed

https://parts.longotoyota.com/oem-parts/toyota-trailer-hitch-screw-9008011491

 

Just got my RAS on, honestly if someone doesn't have the rear sway bar I don't see a reason to buy it. Spend a little more and get the RAS, on road it feels basically like the sway bar except I no longer feel the choppy/jarring sensation I'd get when hitting a pothole or quick dip in the road (Texas roads are not the smoothest). I could just tell that anytime I hit something on one side both sides felt the impact (with sway bar). Just got the RAS on yesterday but have about 200 miles on it already. It feels sooo much better when driving and now the sides can move independently. Also it feels like it helps force the wheels back down driving over train tracks. Less bumpy but you still feel the truck move up and down. I dunno, its weird and hard to describe but I'm really happy with my initial impressions.

 

So I'm looking at getting a truck camper and I currently have E rated tires. I have the Rough Country Vertex suspension but my leaf springs are either OEM or something lighter. They just don't seem very strong. They are almost flat with just a cap on the bed and various odds and ends in a tote plus a farm jack from HF.
Couldn't I go with a set of HD leaf springs and be in good shape?
My Tundra is a 2014 Crewmax 4wheel drive 5.7l. It has an ARB front bumper and winch that totals close to 400 lbs.

 

there are tons of options and even more opinions. However, I put the ras hd on and adjusted it using the white puck and it took care of the sag from my topper and tools in the bed. I am amazed with the ride. I have 120k+ and just changed out the shocks and struts but left the springs in the back. The ras will make a big difference and no need to start replacing springs. They are also adjustable so if the white pick isn’t enough set it with the black one. Doesn’t get any easier. And they are easy to install and keep oem springs.

 

Thank you very much!

 

Absolutely agree I have the same experience. "raised" the truck an inch using the black and it's been fantastic with about 600 constant pounds.



Front is raised 1.5" with Bilstein 6112s. Rear has 5100s and stock leafs

 

You can definitely go w/a leaf pack as another option, but it does seem to be more expensive and intrusive. With that being said, there's plenty of options out there if you'd prefer to go that direction, but reading what some of the others have posted it seems like many of them that went w/a heavier leaf pack ended up w/stiffer rides (especially when unloaded). I have no experience w/them, so for me it seemed much easier to run the RAS HD...

Plus, if you end up not liking them for some reason, you can sell them pretty quick here on marketplace w/o too much trouble

PS>>> I do believe RAS does a military/first responder discount and you can get them shipped to you for just over $500...

 

Wow, that's awesome! Thank you very much!

 

Very cool!

 

I know this was a old post but I was hoping you could answer my question's. I can’t seem to find much on it. I have a Westcott lift with 1” lift blocks under leaf spring. I ordered a RAS kit and I was wondering if I was going to have any problem down the road using the RAS with a 1" lift block? The only reason I went with a lift block instead of shackles is because I read that on a TRD pro the dull exhaust or the exhaust hangers gets in the way of the shackle. Maybe someone could also confirm or deny that too. I’d like to use shackle if I don’t have to do anything to my exhaust. Thanks

 

The only problem that I can see happening is that the RAS springs may twist the whole leaf springs where the differential will tilt upward and cause vibrations on the driveline and probably some bearing wear if left like that for a long time. And the more stiffer you adjust the RAS the more it'll rotate the differential. Hopefully that's not the case. The worst that can happen is the blocks comes off the axle or the u bolts snapped off.

 

Thanks for the feed back. Definitely don’t want to have any issues like that. I believe I may have to see what I need to do to swap out to shackles. I’m going to try and call RAS Tuesday to see what they recommend. Back when I was researching my Westcott lifts I believe I read from a post or two that the exhaust hanger would need relocating if you wanted to go with shackles on a trd pro. It’s been awhile back so I don’t remember all the details. Probably not a big deal to relocate but at the time I just didn’t want to deal with it then. Had too many other upgrades I wanted to blow money and time on that I saw on this forum. I wonder if I could just remove the lift bock altogether and use the Ras to lift it back up 1" by using the larger spacer gauge. That would be sweat if it was that simple.

 

I was going to suggest that. Typically the RAS will lift 1 inch. Just remove the spacer and use a thicker gauge to put more tension on the RAS springs. Mine is still working. Bought them more than 10 yrs ago for my 2007 RCSB 4x2. The RCSB was totaled due to airbag deployment on the truck's 10th year. Insurance Co totalled it. I bought a 2010 Crewmax 4x4 and use that same RAS. The springs on my RAS are probably worn out now. I was able to max the adjustment. And of course the 2010 Tundra's leaf springs are worn-out too. Firestone airbags work in conjucntion with RAS. Just fyi. But the problem with the airbags is that it has a tendency to push up or Kick Up.

 

I was originally going to get airbags until I came across these RAS kits. I did look up the coach builder +1 and according to web site they will work with my dull exhaust. Just have to unhook exhaust hanger to install shackles, to get them out of the way, but can hook them back up when done. So that option is available too if I need just a little more lift and don’t want to max out the RAS.