Replace or Upgrade Shocks for Towing a Travel Trailer

I have 2017 SR5 TRD 2WD Double Cab, I recently purchased a travel trailer to tow with my truck. Suspension is original with 120,000 miles. I would like to know if I should stick to original shocks or is there an upgrade to help with added weight and possibly give the truck a little more stability while towing our travel trailer around the country.
I do have a weight distribution hitch to assist with weight and towing of the trailer. The trailer with cargo and water weight is approximately 5700 lbs. I am also considering a road active suspension from this site:
https://activesuspension.com/products/toyota-tundra-1999-2020-hd.

 

I dunno.

I got 220k miles truck. im on my second set of factory shocks.

I have air bags to help with the load and run E rated tires. The ride is going to be choppy when running empty no matter what shocks I run.

It's a truck . When shocks go bad, I'm replacing them.

I don't do any off roading, so $1200 King shocks would be a waste of money...and I'm not sure they would ever ride $1k better than factory @$250.

I've never installed a rear sway bar, so I can't offer any input on this, except I'm towing. Performance handling is the last thing I give a shit about. I'm going slow, so I'd think a handling bar would be wasted money for towing.

 

Appreciate your input. What air bags do you have?

 

I added the Ironman 4x4 880lbs leaf springs on my truck due to towing heavily weighted trailers. It helps with the sag. Not sure if just shocks will help.
I also have blisten rear shock and trd sway bar.

 

I got these off Amazon. They were an easy install.

TORQUE Airbag Air Bag Suspension Kit for 2007-2021 Toyota Tundra 2WD 4WD Rear Helper Bag Spring Towing 5000 lbs (Replaces Firestone Ride Rite 2445) (TR2445)

$220 TORQUE Airbag Air Bag Suspension Kit for 2007-2021 Toyota Tundra 2WD 4WD Rear Helper Bag Spring Towing 5000 lbs (Replaces Firestone Ride Rite 2445) (TR2445)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07W7MDKL6

 

I have the RAS HD set on the lower disc setting. I am not being hyperbolic when I say it is amazing. Improved ride and handling both loaded and unloaded. Acts like an anti-sway bar on pavement but still articulates off-road.

 

My trailer is pretty close to that @ 5,500 lbs.

With a properly set up WDH you should be good to go, providing your suspension isn't worn out (We don't know if it's hauled heavy loads or what) If you roll off a speed bump fast enough to let the wheels drop off so you compress the shocks... does it just compress/rebound and that's it, or does it bounce a 2nd time?

I towed mine with my 1st gen with Bilstein 5100's for years, and now with my '19 with the TRD Package (4600's) and it's fine. 5,700 lbs. is pretty light.

I do have sway bars, and I do think they help with stability when towing.

I hear good things about the RAS system, but I also hear they can make the ride a little harsh when empty - no load or trailer.

 

I would also highly recommend the RAS (road active suspension). I went with the SD (standard duty) since I only tow a 3,500lb RV in the summer months, and then rarely use the truck "as a truck" for hauling things the rest of the year. I run it on the "heavy" setting during the summer and dial it back to "light" when I put the winter tires on. Takes 30 min to change settings.

The difference is immeasurable and is single handedly the best upgrade I've done on my truck, or honestly any vehicle. It tows like a dream, and on top of that, it gets rid of axle hop when accelerating like a hoon, AND almost completely gets rid of that "truck" side to side shake when going over rough terrain or speed bumps. I did the TRD rear sway bar afterwards which was also a nice improvement, but nothing close to the RAS. If I could only do one, it would be an easy choice to go with the RAS.

Oh, and lastly, completely unloaded, on the regular stiffness setting, it is just barely noticeably firmer riding than stock. Even in the stiffest setting, it's not firm enough to bother me, but does ride like my old Tundra with add-a-leaf's did. With that said, the improvements in ride and handling far out way any loss in plushness IMO, and honestly, in the lightest setting with the SD springs, I doubt you'd notice it if you didn't know it was there.

 

I had the factory black shocks and the porpoising was terrible with my trailer, even with the WDH dialed in. Bilstein 5100 series at all 4 corners made a huge improvement, then the bags, then the bags and RAS. Good luck with your endeavor and happy/safe camping

 

A hood suspension made so much of a difference on my 2018 that I ditched the airbags entirely. Just with the WDH is fantastic with my 7,000# trailer that has well north of 10% TW…

 

Well after exhaustive research and wanting to also level out my truck I upgraded the shocks and added the Air Lift Bags w/ Compressor. Went on a road trip towing my trailer and it made a huge difference on handling. Truck does ride a bit stiffer but I’m ok with that.

Front shock leveling kit:


$770 Bilstein 6112 Series Leveling Kit - 46-206084

$770 Bilstein 6112 Series Leveling Kit - 46-206084

https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/bilstein-6112-series-leveling-kit-46-206084/_/R-BBGL-46-206084

Rear shocks:

$225 Bilstein 5160 Series Shocks

$225 Bilstein 5160 Series Shocks

https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/bilstein-5160-series-shocks/prod40017

Airlift Air Springs:
https://www.airliftcompany.com/shop/88299/

Air Lift Compressor:
https://www.airliftcompany.com/shop/74000ez/

 

I used the RAS on my tacoma and it did help with suspension and the amount of sag. Here is something I did on my current F-150 that is easier to install and does basically the same thing. I'm picking up a new 2024 Tundra next week and plan to install this as well, they are currently making for the 3rd Gen Tundra now, should be out in a few months. Super easy to install these.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojmYXKM54RU