Suspension is struggling with roofnest and rsi cap

Hey. Suspension question here.
We bought a '21 Tacoma TRD 4x4 and put on an RSI cap then a hardtop Roofnest tent and now my truck is seriously squatting. It handled the RSI cap fine but with the tent, within a week, it was way lower. I was finding it easier to load bikes in the back. I'm worried I shouldn't drive around with all this weight all the time as the suspension is clearly struggling under the added weight. Do you think if I put airbags on the rear tires that would handle it? And is that sufficient just for trips or can handle it everyday driving?
We bought the truck cuz we live in an area that just went through a huge fire last summer and had to evacuate for a month. Now we're coming back into fire season and we wanted to have the truck packed and ready in case we need to evacuate again. But the truck struggles with just me and my kid and two bikes with the cap and tent. Still have the solar and cooler to add. Plus 2 big ass dogs. I'm worried we have the wrong truck for what we need. What do you think?

 

Stock suspension is not suited to carry much weight. Hellwig helper springs are pretty economical and may help. Ideally, new leafsprings built for the weight would be best.

 

With a truck that probably hasn’t had its first oil change; recommend starting small. Try an Add A Leaf (AAL) added to the rear leaf springs. If that doesn’t float your boat then you can start talking about beefing up the front suspension. Minimum stiffer springs up front (~650 LB) and new rear leaf pack.

 

Went with an AAL on mine and never looked back. It costs about 75 bucks. I went with the wheelers AL22. I also added SUMO springs for when I really load it up. Both have been on there for three years and no issues

 

You have probably exceeded your max load. Put some helper springs in the back.

 

And yes... if you wanna haul a lot of crap you got the wrong truck. Four adults and a cooler will max the payload.

 

maybe a small trailer. But yeah. Beef up your suspension.

 

no doubt you have the wrong truck for what you need.

you are most likely quite a bit over the rated payload already with all that stuff. lucky if that truck has a 1000 pounds of payload capacity. you can beef the suspension but its just a Band-Aid since its still over rated payload

 

I’ve got a similar set up: RSI cap, Skycamp Mini, fridge, 10-15 gal water, fuel, propane and other camping gear. I went with Ironman constant load leaf pack and foam cell pro shocks in the rear. It was overkill so I removed the third leaf from each side. Still sits high. No squatting. Here’s a pic with the results.

 

Figure out what your payload is and then subtract from there.

E.g. My payload is 990 lbs. from the dealer. Payload includes a full tank of gas, so ignore gas for this equation. (if you have less than a full tank of gas, then your payload actually temporary increases until you fill back up)

Anyway, I weigh 200 lbs., so when I get in the truck, my available payload automatically sinks to 790 lbs. When I add a camper shell, which weighs roughly 200 lbs, my available payload now becomes 590 lbs. You can see how quickly you eat up your payload.

Then when I add rock sliders, I'll subtract another 150 lbs. and then I'll only have 440 lbs. left to work with.

Then think about tents, roof racks, fridge, dog, child, etc.

 

Roadmaster Active Suspension

 

Thanks everyone for your feedback! I really like my Tacoma so I'm hoping there's a way to make it work, def don't want it to be "the wrong truck" for what I need. I'm going to speak with a local 4 wheel drive shop recommended by our mechanic, see what they offer as a solution. Maybe I'll post a picture once I get it all figured out. Thanks ✌️

 

Just as an example:

Let's say payload is 1,000 lbs.

1000
-175 (you)
-75 (your kid)
-75 (your two bikes)
-200 (cap)
-200 (tent)
-25 (solar)
-20 (cooler)
- 140 (2 big ass dogs)

You'd have 90 lbs. of payload left. Just a rough estimate but this gives you an idea. If you remove the rear seats you may be able to cut out 80 lbs. (guessing), then just build a basic wooden platform for the dogs. Just an idea. Not everyone can live without back seats.

Good luck!

 

I had the Icon AAL setup for almost 3 years, it did well but started to sag. I have a shell plus roof rack and tow a small pop up. I have the Icon RXT option 3, never looking back. Zero sag fully loading while towing too.

 

Firestone Ride Rite airbags with an Air Lift Wireless One compressor. Super easy install, easy to use, and works a treat. I have about 600# constant load with another 250# tongue weight for my Patriot Camper X1GT. Then add the Fam...works great. Yes I'm over GVWR when fully loaded for the trail...

 

I second this- I’m on option 2 but am going up to 3 before I install my GFC camper this summer. Rides so much better than stock even unloaded

 

Calculate your total dead weight and beef up your suspension to match.

 

You've got some really nice gear. I'm going to venture that you'd rather do things right even if it costs a couple extra dollars. The stock leaf springs seem pretty weak (they might contribute to the somewhat low gvwr). Call up Deaver, they've seen this a few times, explain your situation and gear and buy the right leaf springs. It will make a huge difference.

If you want to save a couple dollars and have basic tools already, change the leaf springs yourself so you know what you've changed and know how/why. Bonus for switching out the springs now is that your bolts haven't rusted/siezed up.

I went with icon rxt leaf pack because I found a set local that was a great deal and no shipping. I now sit ass high when empty but with a full camping load it's nice and even and rides like a dream.

 

2nd for Icon RXT option 3. If you plan on keeping at least 300lbs and load up for trips on the rear half of the truck, the ride is great.

I have RSI+GFC tent+steel Bumper with swingouts, awning, gear and 3 dogs (~190lbs)


Also, I thought GVWM included full tank of gas and some stipulation on driver weight.


Option 3





Option 1 with less weight


Option 1 full load

 

those and air bags are just a band-aid for an overloaded truck..