Dobinson Leaf Pack or Toytec AAL?

I'm sure this question has been asked before but I am a suspension noob so please bear with me. My truck has a new ARE CX series topper and it cut my rake down to just about 1 inch. Since I'm sure this will go down more over time with the constant weight I'm looking at options for the rear to deal with it. I went to my local shop and they gave me a couple of choices....sumo springs (or Timbren), Toytec AAL, or new Dobinson L59-112R leaf packs. The sumo option we pretty much ruled out as the least desirable, leaving the AAL or full leaf pack replacement. He said they've used the AAL as the first option in cases like mine where it's just the topper and no real additional weight or hauling on a regular basis, and it's worked well with the ride not being overly harsh. "Acceptable ride" were the words he used lol. The full leaf pack replacement is what he said would give the best ride result but there is about a $700 price difference between the two options. He actually didn't push me one way or the other, just laid out the options and said look at your budget and think about which you'd prefer. They will do either one.

I don't ever plan on lifting the truck (it's a 4x2), and I don't want a stiff, harsh ride. Besides towing my Honda Goldwing on a UHaul trailer a couple of times a year and the occasional Lowes run I don't tow or carry a huge amount of weight. I'd welcome recommendations on which option to choose. Thanks!

 

AAL for you. Only reason I went from AAL to a full leafpack was because I over the course of time added an RTT, Decked drawers and an RSI SmartCap.

 

Makes sense. That's a lot more weight. How was the ride with the AAL?

 

AAL, pack later when it gets flat.

AAL's ride like factory as long as there's weight, even the topper negates the harshness.

 

AAL makes my wallet much happier

 

Better than stock - didn't bounce as much but that may have been due to the 5100s. It wasn't stiff though.

 

I have a toytec aal. It’s a 3 leaf pack as opposed to just one leaf. Nice ride worked well with toppers, I had a smart cap, decked, and snugtop. But now it’s empty with a victory4x4 bed rack Still maintained good rake with a topper. But my front end is heavy, and has ome 886 up there

 

Forget ALL, it’s going to sag and leave you disappointed.

After adding my shell, I had the same problem as you. I went with a dakar medium duty leaf pack, and it got me back to stock height but a few years later, keeping some weight in the bed, it sagged a bit.

if I were you, I would just get dakar heavy duty springs, that way you can carry weight and it wont drag ass.

I mean the dobbo springs are good too but their HD is for even more weight, true aussie overlander canopy weight, and i would expect it to ride rough if you’re not loaded out.

edit:
And I see you’ve got a long bed! Think you’d be happier with a leaf pack, even if you just go dakar mediums

 

I have the dobby 112s with only a diamondback cover and some odds and ends. I do have steel skids. And it is not rough riding at all! Quite a bit of rake so I just took a leaf out.

 

I think an AAL would work well for your application. If you were planning on adding more weight in the rear I would definitely recommend a pack, but since it's just a topper and some light towing AAL will be fine and wayyy cheaper.