Help…Shocks, airbags, upgraded suspension?

Car dummy here: I’m looking to install a ~900-1000lb slide in camper to my 2022 6’ bed Tacoma. I am curious if anyone can breakdown the difference or explain what might need to be done to the rear suspension for this process? I’ve read differing opinions on shocks/springs, airbags, and full out upgraded suspension. I would like the truck to drive as “normally” as possible while the camper isn’t in use. Please describe as you would to a child haha. Thanks for your help!

 

That’s a lot of weight for a taco. You likely could be over the GVWR.

In any case, there are several aftermarket leaf spring options designed to carry a heavy load. Use your favorite internet search engine.

 

A LOT!! and a lot up high too

 

Some folks have very little (airbags) and some folks go all out (like below). I went all out, and the handling is so much better than with airbags only. I can take corners much faster and there is not so much sway. You'll can find a bunch of ideas in the 4WC thread here. GL!

$380 Firestone 2304 Ride-Rite Air Helper Spring Kit fits 1995-2004 Tacoma 4WD & Prerunner 2WD | 5-100 PSI

Firestone Airbags at a minimum.

optional

$93 Daystar, Air Bag Cradle designed for full suspension travel, Fits All 6" diameter convoluted Air Bags, fits any full size of half ton truck, 2/4WD, KU09140BK, Made in America, Black

Daystar Cradles,
Load Range E tires,
Hammer Hangers,
110 leaf springs and MRA Shocks
Regear to 4:88's

 

Does it change anything to know it is a pop up camper, so not much higher than the cab while driving?

 

‘Not that much. With all the weight the truck will wallow.

When you say “camper not in use”. Are you planning to take the camper off the truck when not in use? Regardless you need to upgrade the rear suspension to handle the new extra weight. Air bags are a bit fussy but are adjustable. You can compromise with something like Sumo springs.

 

As far as I can remember, just airbags will be adjustable for different loads.

Springs and helpers are fairly permanent.


Within the airbags people usually just get either Firestone Ride-Rite or Air Lift LoadLifters. Ive had both and both work. The air lift ones dont like to be low on air and can get damaged when deflated. For that reason I stick with Firestone now.

You can fill them with air as needed for your planned trip, or have an air system installed and adjust on the fly. They are fairly easy to install if you have tools. If you dont have tools, sell your truck and get a passenger car.

 

Weight above the axle will have a large impact on center of gravity. It can be done, some do it.

 

Its a truck, what goes under the axle? A skid plate?

"Some do it." Like the million people that have camper shells or ladder racks. Man people, dont be afraid to use your truck as a truck.

Maybe I misread all that.

 

How often is the camper going to be in the bed of the Tacoma? How much off-road use will the truck see? The reason I ask is you will inevitably get a million different suggestions and what works for some doesn’t really work that well for others. Just be aware there isn’t a cut and dry one size fits all answer and no matter what you end up doing it will have compromises in some situations.

airbags limit up travel which the Tacoma already suffers from having low up travel in the rear. Stiffer leaf springs will ride great loaded and stiff when empty.

 

You did, she was asking about a 1k pound slide in camper, not a 200 pound bed topper.

 

Page 675 of the owner's manual has the section on center of gravity and truck campers.

 

You need more truck or less camper.

 

I didn’t make it past the door jamb sticker in this case

 

Realistically the weight of a pop top slide in is pretty low. yes it raises CG compared to an empty bed but my water tanks and batteries are at the bed floor height.
I've run the camper more off camber than I'm particularly comfortable with several times, but this is on fairly technical trails that people with built up wranglers claim they pucker on the off cambers.
That said, think about what you're doing with loads that push you to or past GVWR. So far i haven't had any issues but I may be on the "have put a lot of time and effort into it" spectrum for rear suspension as far as camper carrying tacomas go.

 

Solution: trade up to a 3/4 or 1 ton and enjoy life, if not i see many hurdles in your future

 

Simplest and easiest is Sumo springs or Timbrens. They both replace the bump stops with a larger part that takes the sag out so you ride more level and bottom out less. Sumos can be had in a couple different weight ratings. Similarly you can add overload leafs to the leaf springs on each side to accomplish the same thing. Air bags also do this and have the advantage of being adjustable to the load but you have to deal with the air lines. Those can be middling simple to OCD complex. If your slide in will stay mounted all the time I’d go for Sumos, Timbrens, or overload leafs. If you’re very much over gvw then you should probably go with a full on replacement of the leaf packs rather than anything less substantial.