Suspension that handles for day to day, but can tow 7700lbs

Hey everyone,

I've got a 2017 Tundra Platinum... We lifted it with Bilstein suspension (6112 in the front & 5160 in the rear). It was a decent ride but we decided to add airbags as it sagged a bit towing our caravan (I'm an aussie, so I think you could call it a trailer or camper?). The caravan weighs around 7700lbs fully loaded and has a ball weight of 650-750lbs. Since adding the airbags, the ride is terrible - super rigid and harsh. It barely uses any travel of the rear shockers, even when there's minimal air in the airbags. We're thinking of removing the airbags.

I just saw a thread on here about the Roadmaster Active Suspension kits and they sound like they could be a good solution?

Does anyone have any suggested suspension ideas that will feel decent to drive day to day, but can also tow the weight I need without too much sag? I'm happy to replace the shocks (I was looking at the Kings Suspension, but I don't think it will help with the sag for towing). Or am I just expecting too much?

Thanks

 

You want decent springs and Roadmaster Active Suspension. I have Dobinson's Springs (5+2) HD, RAS HD kit, and yellow Sumo springs, but I haul a bit heavy at times. Your gonna like a RAS kit. More thinner layers of springs just functions better than a few thick layers. Good luck!

 

No need to change the shocks, I also have 5160.

 

BTW welcome to the forum from OKC! Also airbags can sometimes burst and it can get ugly quickly.

 

Welcome from TX!

Agree w/Dan. Get you a custom leaf pack that can handle the weight with some good quality shocks.

 

As Dan said, springs are what you need to focus on - shocks don’t carry the load. We have a bunch of aftermarket spring options here - I’d imagine Old Man Emu can set you straight where you’re at.

6112 / 5160 aren’t the problem - I tow around 6,500 pounds with them regularly and they are a big improvement over OEM shocks.

 

If your looking to get new shocks, I have Tereflex Falcons that have a knob on the rear shocks that allows you to select a tow setting to stiffen up the rear.

**edited for grammar**

 

I have the RAS HD version in my truck, but I don't tow as heavy as you. It made a noticeable difference though for me with and without loads. I only have it set to the white spacer (mild condition) but you can set it to the HD version and I am sure it will be what you are looking for. Lot of good info and threads on the RAS here. Since you're already modified, my suggestion is to start there. Simple install and would be a quick long lasting fix. But I am a novice tower in comparison to most on here!

 

Thanks everyone! Lots of good info and it’s pointed me in the right direction.

 

Surprised to hear that the ride is so bad. I've got over 100k miles on the same setup and airbags did wonders. If I had the truck completely unloaded and 5 psi in the bags, it would be bit stiffer but not what I would consider bad. Which airbag kit did you go with? The two main kits stateside are Firestone Ridrite and Airlift Load Lifter; the Airlift bags come with an internal jounce bumper (think hard rubber bumpstop) that doesn't allow much axle movement before hitting the jounce. I've seen several reports of a terrible ride unloaded. It is supposedly so you can run the bags without 0 PSI and not worry about destroying them. I went with the Firestone kit since I didn't want that jounce bumper and they have held up great. I'm typically loaded with 700 lbs+ of gear and camper shell, but occasionally unload everything but the camper shell. I ran empty this weekend and didn't feel like it road bad at all (I aired down the bags and had just installed an Icon 3 leaf add a leaf pack). I also tow often - up to 10k - and the bags do their job admirable well. Rarely will I put more than 40 psi in the bags; usually 20-30 psi gets me to where I need to be.

An upgraded or custom leaf pack would be a great solution if you plan on getting rid of the airbags. I would look at something like a 3+2 like IronMan Suspension used to offer. ARB offers a very similar pack but I believe they are geared more toward heavy constant load. Both those springbucks will also add some lift. Not sure if that is what you are after, but if you have the 6112's on the top setting and zero lift on the back, it might not be a bad idea. A spring pack with a primary leaf, two or three secondaries, and tow different overload springs (3+2 or 4+2) should get you where you want to be. The primary and secondary leaves can be setup to ride comfortable as stock, but the two overloads will engage when towing and the rear squats an inch or two.