Any concerns with leaf springs inverted under load?

Towing a 5x8 U-Haul across the country for my move to California. The trailer came in at about 1700 pounds total (900 dry, so about 800 in the trailer). I loaded evenly on both side, heavier in the front, and haven’t experienced any swaying with driving. No concerns there.

I stopped for a couple of days and noticed my leafs were inverted. Should I be concerned about this? I jacked the trailer to get the load off the ball and the truck rose about an inch, but the leafs still look pretty flat. I’ll have this trailer for the next 8 days. Should I jack it each time I stop to relieve some load on the truck?

The truck weighed in about 900 pounds over dry weight (with me in it) on the scale so it’s within the limit there.

Of note, I am on a slight decline where I’m parked if that makes a difference. The picture with the whole truck is with the trailer on the ball and it doesn’t look like a crazy amount of sag. It looks pretty level when it’s on level ground.

 

Just checked my ‘22 OR and the leaf springs angle up towards the back. Your wheel to fender gap is good so it looks reasonable. Look at another truck when you are parked somewhere (fairly easy to spot one). I wouldn’t worry.

 

Tacomas are known for having shitty leaf springs that sag over time even if the truck never sees a heavy load. Dropping the landing gear during your overnight stops will take the weight off the springs which may or may not reduce any permanent sag.

 

Mine are typically angled up when completely unloaded. I’ve got about 250 pounds in the bed of the truck, so I’m sure that’s got a part to play as well.

Just want to make sure one of these doesn’t snap and leave me stranded halfway across the country

 

Had the rear leafs replaced under recall. They were flat, I noticed right away. I asked the dealer service manager about it. He said "that's the way they are". Haven't had any problems but I don't like the look.

 

I would say this is normal outcome of putting weight in the back. As far as I know, the springs are design to have negative arch to make the ride feel softer when unloaded. It why the tend to sag and lose lift over time if you put a sustained weight on the back. The springs were likely designed for the common user of mid-size trucks in mind, who only use the bed or tow under rare circumstances, and their ride comfort being the concern.

If you listen to some of the interviews Sheldon gives on the 4th gen Trailhunter, he notes that Toyota was surprised by how much weight people were carrying in the back, such that the Trailhunter was designed to be used constantly at its rated GVWR. The inference would be that the previous models were designed to be used at curb weight on a constant basis, and loaded to GVWR very sparingly.

If you plan to use the truck as a truck on a regular basis the leaf springs will need augmentation (air bags, AAL, sumo springs, full pack replacement, etc.)

 

Thanks for this reply. Helpful to know.

Towing like this is a rare occurrence. Typically the truck is for the occasional IKEA run. I’ll probably do it on the way back from California in a few years, but by no means will I be regularly towing.

 

Since I don’t see the trailer I’m assuming it’s a single axle so from what I know about loading a single axle trailer it is recommended to locate the load over the axle of the trailer to keep the weight on the axle trailer and not only on the truck. It will lighten stress on the truck. I hope this might help.

 

THIS. Also, check your owners manual for recommended and maximum tongue weight then distribute the load in the trailer to hit that target. Do not load the trailer to make it ass heavy or you'll likely get a nasty surprise once you're at highway speed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mW_gzdh6to

 

Thanks for the help everyone. I got the trailer from GA to CA without incident.

 

I can't really believe that W-shaped leaf springs are fine, especially long term with a camper shell, RTT, etc. In this case there is no extra weight on the back and it's a one-time deal, but for anyone seeing and concerned with weight I'd recommend upgrading the leaf springs to the heaviest and highest quality you can find.