2016 TRD pro towing help - need input

Hello, new member here. I’m looking for some input. I bought a used 2016 Red pro last year. I really like the pickup but have a question about towing. I looked into towing with it before I bought it and I read the towing capacity of the pro is the same but it will “sag” more due to a lighter suspension. All I tow occasionally is a 19’ Boat and trailer that is maybe 3500 lbs and a trailer with my l ice fishing gear that maybe weighs 3000 lbs. So I didn’t think that would be much of a problem for my new rig. I would say it pulls the loads fine (better than my 2004 tundra) but I don’t like how much it sags in the back end when I’m towing. So today when I took it in for my last Toyotacare (24.5k miles) I asked them what I can do that won’t modify the look or feel of the truck when I’m not towing but will help so it doesn’t sag so much. They walked me over to the accessories guy. I explained to him I have a tRD pro tundra and I would guess it maybe sags about 1.5-2” when I hook up my boat or trailer. He said they have a heavy duty pkg add-on the sell a lot of that shouldn’t affect the ride or but will stiffen it up so it only drops “maybe 3/4 of an inch when you hook up to your trailers”. He said it basically makes the tundra a 3/4 ton capacity but doesn’t make it ride rigid like a 3/4 ton. So I thought that sounded alright and had them install the pkg since I’m not very mechanically inclined. Well I picked it up and looked in the rear and I’m trying to figure out how this is going to help me...... . I don’t know if the guy didn’t know much about the trd pro suspension but I can jump on the rear of the pickup and it drops 2” before it hits the rubber pad thing they installed.... I believe he called it a Timbren? they also added a leaf spring I believe. Can someone please help me out and clear things up. I’m going to call them in the morning and maybe stop by but would like to be prepared with some knowledge because I don’t know much about this stuff. I just don’t think that what they installed is going to help my situation. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

Add some airbags problem solved

 

How much did they charge you? do you have a copy of the invoice of what you actually bought ( paid for)

 

What should I tell the dealer that installed this setup? I don’t think it’s going to help my situation.... am I right?

 

Tell them to take their crap off and go to a shop and have them install the airbags. Or see if they will install them. I belive firestone is the most popular brand if im not mistaken

 

Here’s my invoice...

 

Guys who have the airbags do they work pretty well? I’ve heard they can leak? Or is there some kind of manufacturer warranty w those?

 

Damn.. hopefully your situation gets resolved and if the dealership gives you shit just take it to cooperate Toyota.

 

Yah so they added a leaf and looks like a Timbren SES. I think this should help eliminate some sag but like others have said airbags might have been a better idea. I'd hook up your trailer and see how much sag you get before you judge tho.

 

THIS ^^^ check it first. I can't tell for sure but looks like they may have added a leaf. The Timbrens are a bump stop to soften the suspension when it bottoms out. Airbags are great for towing. Also, you might try shifting the weight around in the boat. More weight aft will take some weight off the tongue.

 

Pros didn't come in red I 2016... they did in 2017.

 

interesting.... now i'm intrigued!

 

Problem is I live about 4 hrs from the dealer... so I might call and talk to one of the guys who installs these things and see if the thinks it will help. I’m assuming this is a lot they install on stock regular suspension tundras. I’m not trying to make a mess out of this I just don’t see how this will help me since my sag was about 2” before this was installed and it has to drop almost 2” to hit the timbren. Thanks for the responses I appreciate it.

 

any pics of your truck?

 

This is a pic I have of the old and new... I really am looking forward to getting new tires on it once I wear the stock ones out. Will be upgrading after the summer. I’d take a pic right now but it’s dark outside and she’s dirty

 

First post u wrote the u have a RED pro?

 

I think he might have tried to type trd and autocorrected to red in that first sentence.

 

That extra leaf should do the trick.

 

Nice looking truck! Anyways give that setup you have a go before you judge and then if it doesn't work out for you maybe try some airbags.

 

that is a timbren they installed. i have run them on my past trucks and love them, great for towing. couple things to note about them:
they dont work until your frame contacts them. so if there is a 2" gap between the timbren and frame you will drop 2" when loaded down
timbren does make spacers to bring the rubber spring closer to the frame
it will affect your ride when unloaded if they contact the frame. i usually pull them off when im not towing to keep the plush ride

i dont think the add a leaf is needed when running the timbrens

 

This is a regular Firestone ride rite air bag system in operation. cost is approx 350 dollars.

 

Oops yeah Trd was autocorrected to Red... sorry didn’t catch that one but caught some of the others....

So should I hook up my boat and see how much it sags? Like I said I don’t know much about all this so I appreciate all input. I just noticed the sag when I’m towing and I didn’t like the way it looks. Handling when towing isn’t as sharp but I guess that’s to be expected. I usually try to center the weight over the axles of my trailer w my ice gear but w the boat it’s a little harder to distribute the weight.

How much more are airbags?

Once I’m back home and have a chance I’ll post pics of the setup and see what you guys think.... thanks again

 

Jeremyd

That’s more the look I’m shooting for. With that setup it doesn’t look like there’s much sag at all. If someone could explain how the airbags work..... how do I know how much air to put in them? Do I just hook up to my boat/trailer and go put air in them then when I unhook let it out? Just basically what I need to know about the airbag setup and how I’d use it... is it a much better setup than these timbrens?

 

@ColoradoTJ

 

the man.....the myth......the legend

 

It's a very simple setup. Put air in to make it level, when your done let the air back out unless you want your rear ass sticking up.

 

Thanks for the input....
I never knew what fake is but now that explains it. And I agree that there is little rake on my pickup.... so really when I hook onto anything it’s going to look more like it’s squatting than a regular setup.
I’m going to hook my boat up and see how much it squats in the back but I think the air system would be a lot better setup for me and really the only way to keep things level when towing.
Thanks again I appreciate the input. Hopefully the dealer is good about it and can take these off and install airbags. I would think they would because the guy told me they would do something they aren’t going to do for me. I don’t think he understood the pro suspension from the start. ‍♂️