Towing 7000# Setup Advice

Hi everyone,

I tow a 7000# TT or an enclosed trailer at times. I have around a 1-2” sag when the trailer is full capacity. I’ve scoured the forums and have read people put the following on their tundras.
- Bilstein 6112 fronts
- Bilstein 5100 rear
- Coachbuilder Shackles +3”
- Ride-Rite Airbags with F3 Air Commander

I have a 19 TRD Sport CM and plan to put the Ride-Rite Airbags with F3 Air Commander. I plan to stay with my 20” wheels and the factory rake of 1-1.5”. I really don't want to lift if i can help it.

Should I even upgrade my shorks and struts? What settings on the Bilsteins should I have to keep the factory rake?

Do I need the shackle upgrade?

TIA

 

Are you using a weight distribution hitch? When I hook up my 7K loaded trailer I sit with a very small rake, make .5".

 

If you're not lifting it, your stock shocks should be fine. Spend your money on a weight distributing hitch and some air bags & save the new shocks for when yours are worn out.

 

You could do the add a leaf route too if you don't want the complication of airbags.

 

Lifts don’t help towing so get those shocks out of the equation. Add a leafs will help but stiffen up the ride compared to air bags. If I were you I’d do airbags and good set of brakes. Rear TRD or Magnuson anti-away bar is a must. Want to spend more, do a big break kit, available from a few manufacturers starting at $1000+ and some decent towing mirrors...

 

No WDH. So did you add a leaf, airbags or just stock?

 

The TRD Sport has the front and rear sway bars already. So just stick with the airbags and upgrade to the TRD Big Brake?

 

WDH is mandatory, especially anything over 5000 lbs. If you don't use a hitch and start throwing money at leafs, bags, etc. Then you are wasting your money and not as safe as you could be.

 

Got it. Anything over 5k used WDH. So under 5, add leaf or bags then. Thanks.

 

Nice, I’m running trd sports too and love em. As mentioned a WDH will help too. Big brake kit isn’t a necessity, but if you’ve got the cash, you’ll certainly appreciate ...others make big brake kits too, brembo, ebc, baer, ceika to name a few

 

That was with a WDH and stock suspension

 

You’ll need 20” rims for most big brake kits to fit...