2023 Tacoma overloaded

That do I need to add so my truck doesn’t keep bottoming out? I never had a problem with my 2008 Tacoma but I had roof racks for the kayaks. I haven’t even add a hard top tent yet. What do I need to charge? Thank you.

 

A lot of your problem is you have too much shit on the back of your truck. I would probably get a roof rack for the cab and shift those kayaks forward.

 

Some folks like Firestone airbags in Daystar cradles to adjust when the truck is loaded like that. If you beef up the springs it won't ride as well when it's empty.

 

What SH10151 means is that you're stacking things off the back which is acting like a lever, multiplying the effect of the weight on your ride height.

You need to look into a new leaf pack (especially if you're going full time with an RTT) or air bags for occasional loads. The stock leaf springs are not up to the job.

 

You need to have it repainted with MGM.

 

^ Yeah, this -- those heavy bikes hanging WAY out back puts a lot more leverage on things. I'd also verify that the bike rack you are using is rated to carry all of that weight -- it looks like it is overloaded. Not to mention your departure angle looks a bit scary. I'd look at a OneUp bike rack, but a couple of those bikes have super fat tires.

I've used Firestone RideRites in the past with no lift - Daystar cradles are only needed if you have a lift. That was when I would vary my loads quite a bit, so the adjustability is nice. If you plan on keeping additional weight all the time, look into new leaf springs, or both.

 

Wait, are those motorcycles on that bicycle rack?! How much weight do you have hanging off there?

At the very least you should move the heavier bikes closer to the rear axle.

Is this a Friday troll post?

 

At least two of them look like E-bikes but the bike carrier looks to be for regular human powered bicycles (Allen or similar) so I’m guessing that’s both overloaded and unsafe.

 

I consider e-bikes to be motorcycles, but agree they might be lighter than a typical motorcycle.

 

I did some quick research that said e-bikes weight 40-80 pounds, so like twice a bicycle and 1/4 a dirt bike.

I see 3 bicycles and 2 possible e-bikes. The bicycles don’t look like ultra-light so maybe 3O lbs each. This adds up to 210 lbs. That’s nothing, but the heaviest stuff is way out on a lever arm.

 

Just placing the two e-bikes in the bed would greatly reduce the leaf spring load. Having them all the way out on the back of the bike rack is obviously not great.

 

I purchased a heavy duty bike rack, made for e-bikes, at least that’s what I was told. They were still less then the weight of the load max weight per the rack specifications. I didn’t think of putting the e-bikes on first and having the lighter bikes out.

 

That is way too much. Mine starts to squat a bit if you put two regular dual suspension bikes and those bad boys are about 35 to 38 pounds each and the rack is about 40-50.

 

I think people tend to worry far too much about their leaf springs “squating” when they put weight in the bed. It’s normal. It’s how springs work. They bend. If they didn’t bend, it would be lead to very rough ride under all conditions.

 

You’re also supposed to load a vehicle closer to the center of gravity not telegraph most of the weight behind the rear axle.

 

Let’s assume the last e-bike is 60lbs and is 5ft from the rear axle. That’s equivalent to 300lbs sitting directly above the axle as far as axle weight distribution is concerned.

 

Your choices are a block lift (the cheapest, but worst option), an add-a-leaf, new leaf packs, or airbags.

 

Good lord… get a trailer …

 

Trailer is the only reasonable solution.

 

I'd say get a diesel but with those DEF prices forget that. I have never paid for DEF before 4.69 might not be that bad.