Payload way over recommended

.. get the airbags and see how it goes. if you can haul what you need in your truck...this is the best option IMO. It sucks to find parking for trailers, some gas stations you can't even use and IMO trailers are more dangerous.

 

Yeah been doing this with this much weight for 4 years. Truck handles fine and I always drive very safe usually I do 55mph like I was towing a trailer. Never been in an accident. I love the tundra and believe it has the potential todo this just fine for longer just wanted to add the air bags to help with weight distribution.

 

I’m not seeing the sticker you are referring me to.

 

Here is mine

 

I just took some stuff to the dump and got my truck weighed..6100 lbs empty with just me and 3/4 tank of gas. GVWR is 7100 LBs meaning I have 1,000 LB payload (rated).

 

oh. those cut up milk crates are genius. i'm stealing that. thank you.

 

If I were the OP, I’d probably just beef up my rear suspension and keep doing what I’ve been doing for 4 years without issue—which is riding a bit overloaded but not so much that my truck handles poorly or is bottomed out. If I did get pulled into one of these inspection areas, I’d pay my ticket and then probably invest in a trailer or trade into a 3/4- or 1-ton pickup.

The exact same argument—cost of fines, poor handling in evasive maneuvers, danger of ruining the truck, danger to other drivers on the road—can be applied to driving in excess of posted speed limits, but most of us readily admit we cruise at 75-80 or even higher on the interstate, even where it’s a posted 65 or 70 mph limit.

Why do so many of us stick so closely to Toyota’s guidelines, but not to state/local law?

 

Because the law is not a scientific based value by an educated expert like a Toyota engineer.

Speed traps lowering speed from 70 to 55 through a "business district" stretch of interstate, where fines are triple and cops sit every quarter mile to generate revenue . You think that 55mph sign is because some engineer said it needed to be?

 

Speed limits are also based on engineering and collected data.
https://jalopnik.com/heres-how-speed-limits-are-set-1823402678

 

I literally did a friction calculation in university showing the relationship between speed limits and how the road is designed.

 

Yeah that's all opinion.

 

I agree. The response was directed towards the generalization that all laws, specifically speed limits were based off of only science.

No argument here. Just saying not all speed limits are based off that science.

So the term "speed trap" and all of the well documented instances of this practice happening is just an opinion? Speed traps are in fact just areas where scientifically you must slow down and the significant amount of fines and revue generated are byproducts of this safety enforcement?

 

Its subjective because the parameters used are not the same across the board for speed limits. Otherwise how can some states increase or decrease their speed limit when going along the same stretch of road but crossing state lines.

I am merely pointing out its not a black and white correlation between the science between setting speed limits vs. Load capacity limits. I can understand the comfort in going over one set of limits vs. the other.

 

Each state is pooling its own data (population, traffic, accident frequency, fatality rates, geography, number of access points to the roadway in question, weather, road type/construction, etc) and is only in charge of the limits within its own borders. This data is pooled by each state’s DOT and the federal DOT.

It’s not nearly as arbitrary as you’re trying to make it seem.

EDIT: Regarding your point about business districts—there are more vehicles on the road in business districts, more access points to the highway, which means more entering and exiting the highway, so a far higher probability of accidents. That’s why the speed limit decreases.

People who ignore the change to 55 and keep cruising at 80 are exactly why cops create speed traps in those areas.

 

OP, i have to say it go 3/4 ton. I noticed you lived in San Francisco so a trailer of any size may be difficult to drive around town in.

 

Yota, whats your goal? reduce squat? smoothing out driving? improve handling and smoothness? or?
Air bags can improve lots of those goals. There may be a more affordable solution if you looking for a specific improvement.

 

If you want to avoid trailer and 3/4 ton, I would Swap CM for 2WD single cab long bed. Would move weight closer to front and give more payload. Airbags help sag and prevent the “w” shape leaf springs but dont increase payload.

 

My main goal is to make my truck last as long as possible. It’s just paid off and I just got to 100k and out if warranty. I’ve heard a lot of good things about doing the air bags with a lot of weight and I already pulled the trigger and ordered them. I love my Tundra and don’t want to change the truck to a 3/4 or have to pull a trailer.

 

Yes I live in Sonoma county so it’s not as bad as SF but still don’t want todo a trailer

 

The speed limits in Texas are crazy. 55 in Louisiana turns in to 75 in Texas. 65 on small two-lane highways.

 

Pulling trailer only get like 6-8 mpg, ¾ ton is hard to find parking…it’s already hard to find parking in a tundra. Add the air bag or sumo spring and take care business.