Hauling an Occasional Xtra 500 lbs

2-3 times a year I need to haul a toy that weight about 500 lbs. Is there an ADL that I can install without harming the overall ride of my 2014 TRD AC. I realize that more spring mean a stiffer ride. I'm leaning towards the FS Air Bags, but not sure if that's the best option. I do have a Fox Float pump so that would solve the air inflate problem if I'm not near the shop when I need a stiffer suspension.
Also currently the front of the truck looks a little higher than the rear as far as suspension goes.
Suggestions please. Also I've read many ideas that have been posted already. Just looking for a little reassurance (I guess).


EDIT: (Measured height at both Front and Rear...approximately 1.25" more lift in the Rear) (My Mistake on that comment)

 

I wouldn't think you'd really need anything to haul 500lbs but if you want something affordable to make it ride a little better you could try some Hellwig helper springs.

 

500 lbs is not a lot of weight but just make sure you haul the quad right and you'll be fine

 

I throw my ~500lb mower back there multiple times a week without thinking twice. 4 banger as well. no worris as long as its loaded correctly i.e not gonna come flying out

 

^^ This. I wouldnt worry about 500lbs. I've had more than that in firewood and building materials in the bed way more than a few times a year.

 

All y'all are right that 500lbs isn't a lot of weight even for our weak little stock springs.. Bt it sounds like something else is up with his truck... OP did you say the rear sits LOWER than the front even without anything in the bed??? Is the truck stock or does it have some sort of lift already installed?

 

I missed this part. If thats stock and unloaded sounds like the springs are pretty shot. most truck have stock rake

 

New 2014 400 miles on it. The toy is a Snowmobile 146" track so it will hang out 22-23" past the tailgate with the tail gate down. Although the heaviest part of the load will be over the rear axel.
Yes sitting in my shop it looks like the rear is lower than the front. Going out now to measure from the concrete to underside of the wheel opening.
Hauling the same unit in my 1500 Silverado EXT Cab would definitely make that truck drop a bit.
Are there overload type springs that can be installed so during normal empty driving the OEM ride wouldn't be effected?

 

^thats exactly what I was thinkin.. If he's really got a negative rake unloaded there's a bigger issue here.. OP, if you're not sure how to figure this out: park your truck on level pavement and measure from the center of the hub to the bottom edge of the fender. Do this both front and rear on each side and compare the back to front measurement. I believe stock ride should be about 1/2" higher in the rear.. Anyone wanna back me up or correct me on that?

 

You're going to want tailgate reinforcement too. Otherwise you're going to have a bent up tailgate.

 

Yes, I mentioned them in my response. Here's one set, they make others as well:

$105 Hellwig 550 EZ-550 Helper Spring Kit

http://www.amazon.com/Hellwig-550-L...F8&qid=1387822274&sr=8-1&keywords=hellwig+550

 

I went out to the shop and measured the center of the hub to wheel opening height and the rear is about 1.25" greater than the front. My fault on that one. The truck visually appears to look like the rear is lower but it must be the shape of the thing that gave me that impression.


So now I read that I need to reinforce the tailgate to keep it from bending? How do most people put weight in their beds? (a crane?). This is my first Tacoma so please excuse my ignorance, but why in the world would Toyota engineer such a design flaw as a "wimpy" tailgate? One of the first things I noticed when looking at the Tacomas was how light and thin the tailgate was compared to most other trucks. I just took for granted that this rugged little truck would be a little more user friendly, after all it is a truck, and trucks are built to carry the capacity they are rated for.


Are the aluminum plates strong enough or do I need to get a steel plate?


Thanks for the info on the Hellwig 550EZ they may just do the trick.

 

The tailgate is stronger in the newer 2nd gens. I forget which year but Toyota did address that weakness. Not sure if it's strong enough to stand up to 500lbs being driven onto it regularly though. Never tested it.

 

Get Timbrens

 

I'm in the same boat. I put my TRX400x in the bed and it noticeably squats.

Does anyone know if they will do the TSB AAL in a 2014 TRD OR? I've only got 3 springs from the factory.

 

We just moved and unloaded 2-yds of gravel (1/2 yd at a time) using one of these: . Each load weighed approx 800-1000lbs. Tailgate is still straight and closes fine. If you are concerned, can you load the snowmobile backwards, with the weight in the bed rather then behind the rear axle?

Ray

 

I regularly haul ~1000 pounds of scrap metal in my little 4banger. At least once a week. Sometimes I'll leave a fridge or a stove that I pick up for scrap in the back of the truck for a couple days, too. You should be fine as-is, truth be told. Especially because it's not on the regular that you haul it.

 

I am a granite stone "hoarder". The day before i installed my Toytec Ultimate Lift Kit, i had an opportunity to grab all kinds of granite foundation stones from a house that was torn down. Made 5 (short) trips with a minimum of 1200 lbs in my bed. I was riding solidly on my bump stops. I have the TSB leafs. Didn't notice any damage/bent leafs. Just glad i didn't snap any. Did that on my 93 Toy. I definately would worry about bending the tail gate driving weight up there. Would go up backwards and put a board going from side to side for support. *** Also- my brother just got an 2014 Access Cab SR5 and it came with the TSB leafs (4 total)

 

my dblcab 4x4 lwb would hit the bump blocks with 4 adults riding at less than 200 lb average. with my quad and me it was on the bump blocks. very disappointed, mine being a new 2005 they had not come out with the added leaf or stronger tailgate. being the first year, there was not alot out yet. i went with Toytec 3" with aal which addressed 2 things at once. if i had it to do over, probably would just go with RideRite airbags.