Bilstein 5100 towing

Hello people, I'm getting so much mixed reviews about the 5100s sucking at towing. I was planning in doing 5100 all around with the front at top setting then getting cb+1 lift shackles in the rear so I can have a little rake, I don't want a leveled truck. Any thoughts and experiences please it would be greatly appreciated

 

Where are you getting your info?
They are firmer than stock, so should help with control towing. Certainly better than the stock black toyota shocks. Add the rear sway bar and your towing and cornering will be even better.

 

Well... like everything its situational. Provide more detail as to what you will be towing (weigh, frequency, terrain) and folks can chime in.
5100 are a great upgrade to the stock shocks but if you are towing heavy loads most of the year over difficult terrain, there are other options more suited for that. If you are looking for a low cost improvement to the stock set up, hard to beat the 5100's

 

I've read it in other tundra forums, and just over all googling around.

 

tows just fine…I’ve pulled an enclosed trailer with 2 quads inside ~3500lbs; regularly towed boat 17.5’ ~2500lbs; 21’ bass boat ~3500lbs…all with 5100s all the way around with no issues at all.

If you’re regularly towing something like a 30’ 8k+ lb travel trailer (i.e. not just the 1x a year exception), I’d look at doing something different in the rear (leaf pack; RAS; sumo, airbags, etc.)

as someone above mentioned, the 5100s are better/upgrade than stock, and the stock tow rating on your truck is plenty, unless you’re regularly pulling a large travel trailer/toy hauler.

 

Do you have your set up at top setting if so did you do front diff drop kit? An a for the rear what is your setup?

 

No diff drop…had at highest setting in Front and nothing in rear with 5100’s…then switched to TRD Pro Fox with additional lift kit from Westcott Designs…ended up around 3-3.5” up front and 1” in rear. They highly advised against a diff drop, so never added. Both set ups tow the same from my experience

 

I’ve towed with 4600 TRD shocks and 6112. If you have the OEM black shocks it will be firmer but in a good way if your towing considerable weight. If you have the TRD OR suspension it probably won’t feel much different.

If you’re worried about ride quality and rake consider the middle setting. I went 6112 at 1.9” and CB+2 shackle to not max out my UCAs and maintain some rake.

 

Blue SumoSprings are a nice upgrade for towing and hauling. You won’t notice them them empty but with 500lbs on the ball they make a huge difference.

 

I've got 5100's top setting with 2 & 1 shims, the rear lift is Coach +3 shackles. I tow a 16' enclosed a few times a month. Seems to ride just fine to me.

 

Do you picture of your truck, does it give the tru k the rake it needs?

 

There's a little bit of rake. My '14 Tundra had same stuff but only +2 shackle. It was fairly flat level.

 

Damni should've gotten the +3 shackles I need the back to rake more, thanks buddy

 

My truck is stock riding on stock Bilstein shocks. I don’t carry a constant load and have about 1/2” between the frame and Sumos when empty. Truck rides like stock with the benefit harsh speed bumps feel less harsh. Loaded for camping I’m at almost 7200lbs and towing a trailer and they perform wonderfully. The ride is firm and controlled, not jarring. I think if someone were just leveled with the stock rear the blue Sumos would be a good match.



Timbrens are a much harsher system and don’t give as much. I also would not recommend black or yellow Sumos unless someone was running around with a significant constant load.

I’m planning to install the Toytec Eibach 2.5”/1.5” lift next year and at that time will call Super Springs International and order a custom set of blue Sumos for the lift. Stock height will be trimmed for a bump stop. They are easy to swap back and forth.

 

I have Bilstein 5100 on the top setting on the front, 5100 on the back with the TRD sway bar. I don't have any problems with towing a 5k boat. As was stated before, they are stiffer.

I have the Timbren SES bump stops installed on the back. I had a pallet of sod in the bed last week and it didn't go down very much. The guy at the super sod was impressed for he had a tundra in before me that it sank down very low.

 

I have a 2020 Crewmax with 5100’s on all four corners. Fronts are at top setting with 1/4” shim on each side and 1.5” block in the back. Tow a two place enclosed snowmobile trailer and other trailers on a regular basis. Works great!

I do have airbags in back but don’t air them up unless I am really heavy on the tongue (rare).

 

2018 TRD 4x4 Off Road. The stock shocks are Bilstein's correct? Are they 5100's?

 

Yes they are Bilstein’s but they are not 5100’s or 4600’s (as commonly claimed). Those are custom valved, on the soft side, for Toyota applications. Even the diameter is different.

 

Thank you for the info. Can they be used with a 2" leveling kit? I am not trying to get too aggressive, just want to level the front. I don't do any off-roading. The worst I have to do is some badly washed out dirt roads. Also never carry much weight in the bed. I have an F350 Dually for heavy loads.

 

You can use the 5100’s to level the front and you would need blocks to longer shackles to raise the rear. Personally I would not install a spacer lift that is thicker than a 1/2 inch (approximately 1 inch lift)…an adjustable shock such as the Bilstein is a better option. The 4600’s are not adjustable and are designed for stock applications whereas the 5100’s are designed for lifted applications.

One more piece of friendly advice…look at Eibach adjustable shocks. Their valving is better ESPECIALLY as a daily driver based on what you were said in regards to carrying weight. Nothing wrong with the 5100’s per se. Most popular by far but definitely on the stiffer side in the ride department…