2013 Tacoma rear suspension sag when towing

[cruisermatt]

Hi all, my dad uses his 2013 Tacoma (TRD Sport) to tow his race car (total weight of car and trailer: approx. 4800 lbs) and daily drive. The truck pulls the weight just fine, but the rear suspension sags enough that it understeers due to there not being enough weight the front wheels. He doesn't have any interest in off-roading or changing street manners, so a lift kit is out of the question. Is the only option a part time airbag type setup? If so, which is best?

Matt

 

[SIZZLE]

The rear leaves on these are supper weak. A lot of guys have used Timbren bumpstops to help while towing or loaded. I've never tried them, but heard lots of positive feedback.

 

[ferg]

Redistribute the towed load by loading the race car in reverse. Turn it around as loaded on the trailer.

 

[jynx]

Redistribute the towed load by loading the race car in reverse. Turn it around as loaded on the trailer.

I'm with ferg. sounds like he is overloading the tongue. shouldn't be but a few hundred pounds on the hitch if it is loaded correctly.

 

[Weber Sarge]

My '08 only handles about 300# of tongue weight before it seriously sags . There is a new spring fix from Toyota if there is any warranty left on that truck - suggest he seriously take it in and complain . These springs are a joke - I've had cars that can carry more weight . I hear the upgraded springs will also address the spring wrap and driveline vibes these '05 and later Tacos commonly suffer from - if nothing else check out Tacoma World on the net - they have all the bulletin numbers .

Never load that trailer backward unless you want the trailer wrapped around the truck - it takes a certain amount of tongue weight to make them track correctly .

Only other reasonably decent solution is get a set of Firestone airbags , I'd still take up the spring issue with Toyota anyway since it can cause driveshaft failure eventually and these spring pack can and will break .

Sarge

 

[sbechtold]

I installed a set of firestone ride rite air bags. No more sagging... rides nice and an easy solution to weak leaf springs.

 

[Walking Eagle]

I installed a set of firestone ride rite air bags. No more sagging... rides nice and an easy solution to weak leaf springs.

I put these on my '06. It's a nice solution because they don't make the truck stiff all the time only when needed.

As far as loading the car backwards, that is a perfectly viable option if the tongue weight is excessive now. 10-15% of trailer weight as tongue weight is the general rule. The trailer does not care which end the car is facing, just what the weight distribution is. With racecars it's not that uncommon to go backwards because of several hundred pounds of spare tires on a high rack over the car. My dad ended up with 800+ lbs tongue weight on a 3500 lbs boat and after I did the math to tell him how far to move his axle forward on the trailer he was much happier without the need for airbags (2011 TRD taco). Make sure the trailer is in as towed condition when he checks tongue weight. As in all spares, fuel, tools ect on the trailer.

Two other options if he has trouble getting tongue weight where it should be is lengthen the tongue (longer lever arm = less tongue weight and it's usually easier than moving axles) or a weight distributing hitch.

 

[40Habits]

A weight distribution hitch will level out the load and it only takes a minute longer to hook up a trailer.

 

[cruisermatt]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I'll post a picture from my phone in a few minutes.

 

[ken_79-fj40]

I've towed a loaded steel car trailer with mine a few times (actually with my last 05 but it was almost identical) and yes it sagged a little but I didn't notice it understeering. Perhaps he's got too much tongue weight? I actually had a stock spring break on my 05 last summer. Which I had heard of before... I bought replacement springs from KCspring and I'm really kicking myself for not getting their 4 leaf HD pack when I did it. Mine's a double cab and the rear suspension occasionally bottoms just from people in the back seat, let alone carrying a load. Pathetic for a truck really. I'll probably wind up with an add a leaf and some Bilstein 5100's to level out the front. It could use new shocks at 140k anyhow. But of course then it won't ride as plush.

 

[Jomama]

How many leafs in the leaf pack? When I bought mine I was bottoming out empty at highway speeds on frost heaves and even speed bumps when slow. I had the TSB for the rear springs work done under warranty on my 08, upgrading from a 3 to a 4 leaf pack, as well as all four shocks upgraded to the blistens. Night & day difference.

Edit* Unfortunately for you, the current T-SB-0359-10 for the "Rear Spring Harsh Ride" only covers up to 2011, yet Toyota is still putting the s***ty 3 leaf pack on some trucks.


However, some people have been able to get the leafs upgraded through a different TSB that covers up to 2014, for Driveline Vibration, that includes R&R the rear leafs, by requesting they replace the "standard suspension" for the "firm ride suspension", both part #'s are listed in the TSB. This is highly dealer dependent, show them how bad & dangerous it is when loaded...

Thread here about it.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/316704-2013-tacoma-rear-springs.html

TSB list here
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/7107-tsb-list-2005-toyota-tacoma-24.html
First post, T-SB-0008-14 is for the driveline vibration that includes R&R of the leaf springs.

 

[Weber Sarge]

Those are the TSB's I was referring to , unfortunately my '08 is no longer covered under warranty so it's getting a set of OME springs and Bilstein's .
Sarge

 

[SteveH]

10-15% of trailer weight as tongue weight is the general rule.

x2 on this. You don't want less than 10% for a variety of good reasons. 4800 lbs is a fair amount, so I don't see any solution that doesn't involve overload springs, air springs, Timbrens, etc. Or, an F250/350