Load test for rear springs

After a month of owning my truck I wanted to load the bed and conduct a load test. I had read about Rear Spring TSB for the 05-08 model Tacomas and I wanted to determine if my truck would experience a harsh ride under a moderate to heavy load.

I have a 2010 DC Tacoma TRD Sport. Suspension is stock. I loaded the bed with roughly 800-850 lbs of bagged mulch. I used bagged mulch so I could get a rough estimate of the weight. The drive home was pleasant. No harsh ride. The road wasn't overly bumpy, though I did attempt to hit a few bumps. I didn't go over 55 mph, as the road wasn't a freeway.

My question now is to those that have experienced a harsh ride: what were the condtions and load weight on your bed (or towing) that resulted in a harsh ride? Was my load not heavy enough?

 

I had about the same experience when I hauled a yard of fine bark. I don't know the actual weight but it filled the bed and was wet.

It seems that some have complained of a harsh ride and bottoming out with just a few hundred pounds in the bed. I did not experience this.

I also believe there might have been a revised 3 leaf pack put on some '09s and '10s but I have no proof of this-only from what I have heard.

 

Good to hear that guyz. I have 2010 TRD OFF ROAD 4x4, but I will never be able to test this since I dont have enough time being in Army.

 

My truck is an '06 Prerunner, and I've never experienced a harsh ride either. I've had the truck bed filled with camping gear while towing boats, and camping trailers too. It's only got the three-leaf pack. It sagged quite a bit, but never bottomed out. I guess some of us just have lucked out. I'm not looking to upgrade the springs like the tsb calls for since it's not a problem with the ride. And, I'd rather not have the dealer mess around with it--Heard too many horror stories.

 

over time if u load your truck it causes the springs to sag.when that happens u r closer to the bump stops and thats where the harsh ride comes from.bouncing off the bump stops.awful, awful feeling.

 

Except for several people have complained within DAYS of buying their trucks that them and three friends made it "bottom out" The TSB doesn't cover sagging old springs...They will go out over time no matter if they are original, TSB, or aftermarket.

I didn't have any problems with about 700 lbs of motorcycle and gear in the bed. Got the TSB done anyways because I do haul and tow fairly often and I didn't want to wait for it to become a problem.

 

I have a 2010 reg cab. Ive bottomed out empty... i was offroad but i shouldnt have bottomed out on this little dip. IMO the stock nontrd shocks are garbage. I did the old jump on the bumper trick to test the shocks and when i jumped off the truck bounced like 3 more times. A little stiffer shock and these springs might be ok. Im going to get 3" lift springs from Allpro when i can get COs

 

bakerla. glad to hear that. i have not done any load test on my '10 long box. i only have 3 leafs back there and hope toyota already fixed that problem. thanks for posting.

 

Yea, all the reading of other people having issues concerned me a little. I needed mulch at the house anyways. It has reassured me. Side question: you ever check out Texas Truck Unlimited yet? I'm going to swing by Monday sometime and look at their shop.

 

bakerla, no sir. have not checked out texas truck unlimited yet. i might check it out one of these days.
if you plan to have billy's 5100 installed down the road i can point you somewhere better than where i had them installed in pearland.

 

Was it Elliott's?

 

Withein a week of buying my 09 access cab, I loaded it with about 600Lbs of plaster to take to the dump. It bottomed out over any small bump. And i know it was 600 Lbs because the dump weighed it. Got the TSB done, And have had 1,200 Lbs of plaster in it headed to the dump, with no bottoming out.