How to keep a TRD Pro from squatting while towing?

simple answer ...
I'm running

$289 SSR-610-40 | SumoSprings Rear for Toyota Tundra, Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, Nissan Titan

SSR-610-40 Sumo springs #1000 lbs and yes they "touch" the frame (over 31,000 miles with them) , the back end is 1/4 to 3/8 higher (i like this) - i don't have a lot of stuff most the time but i do have a fuller truck when i go out with the family, wife and 2 grown kids, so i was looking for some help. so
small bumps very little difference/ big you can feel them working.. from stock
I towed a #2200 lbs camper 5,000 miles last year and my drop was half what it would have been without the sumo springs,(that's why i got them)
Fully loaded for long trips ie maxing out the truck... yes i could use some more "help" but its not bad for me,
-NOW-
if you tow some and not over #3500 lbs get the sumo springs / more often or more weight, get better springs or spend over $350 on bags.
have fun because what ever you do someone will tell you different.

 

Is there a way to increase the clearance between the top of the Sumo and bottom of the stock frame so that stock feedback from large bumps is felt, without defeating the Sumo purpose?

 

I installed Wheelers AAL to stop the squat in my '13 Baja. I couldn't afford the firestone ride right, so took a punt on the AAL's. I've had them under the back for 70k and no complaints. I have only towed a couple of times, however I used to carry a shit ton of crap in the back. Longest run was north GA back here with 1200lbs of slate in the back and the heaviest load was a full pallet (minus the pallet) of wet zoysia grass. Yes, it squatted, but returned to level without any issue.
If you are towing a lot I would probably go Ride Rite with a stabizing hitch to stop the sway.
Just my opinion, not based in scientific method just the seat of the pants dyno...

 

No problem but you can also get a system with anti-sway control built in for a 2 in 1 solution.

 

Airbags all the way.
Adjust to ANY load unlike sumo and no harsh ride like aal.
More $$$ but you get what you pay for.

4wheelparts showed me the setups, took their advice and never looked back.
Excellent advice and installation by them.
Over 1.5 years running with them and love it.

 

I was also concerned about sag when towing. It turns out it wasn't that much of an issue. And that's towing a boat+trailer that weights 5800lbs or so. No pics as the season is over here and I didn't think of taking a pic this summer.

 

@2016Tacoman @SCJeffro
Air bags will reduce squat but will not improve your vehicle handling or safety. Air bags only change the way your suspension reacts under load. Weight distribution will reduce squat and will transfer weight to your front axle and trailer axles relieving the burden from your rear truck axle. A WD hitch can be spec'd with trailer sway aswell.

 

https://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Suspension/Firestone/F2176.html
"4,800-lb Capacity. Ride-Rite air springs enhance your factory suspension for safety and stability when you are hauling heavy loads. They reduce strain on your rear axle, keep your vehicle level, and adjust to load size for a consistently smooth ride."

https://www.sdtrucksprings.com/suspension-air-bags/firestone-air-bag-kits
"air springs will increase your level load capacity and improve handling especially when you are hauling heavy loads or towing a trailer."

Added with ebrakes on trailer its awesome. That prevents the trailer from diving on braking. Don't think you can use wds's with surge braking with the way they work.
Plus when I load up just the bed, I can level it from the squat.
Plus I don't think you can use wds's on all Al frame trailers.

 

Except air bags are only meant to level out the truck when there is a load placed on the rear axle. Air bags do not relieve the weight on the Rear axle and do not improve trailer tow handling more than a WD hitch does. The air bags do not shift the weight to your forward axle and back to the trailer axle and only function as another set of helper springs.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XBZu39pQ8Gg

 

What air bags do is re-center the load vertically in shock travel so that weight doesn't lever the front wheels when you hit a bump and bottom out. It doesn't change weight distribution but riding level goes a long way to returning the ride to a more normal feel. Air bags are load/ride adjustable, helper springs aren't. In either case I would still compensate by carrying some load forward of the rear axle. My tool bed box is set up to pully to the cab so the heaviest items are at the front and lighter, bulky items are to the rear.

 

I don't think anyone here is arguing that you shouldn't use a WD hitch for towing heavy loads, or load the trailer correctly. Even then, though, there will be weight on the hitch, and having something to help level the truck will give you better stability (the suspension can go up and down rather than bottoming out quickly). I've towed the same load (U-Haul car carrier with surge brake) with and without air bags, and it was much better with air bags.

 

Custom shackle/shackle flip.

 

I haven't towed anything yet but before/after with 1000 lbs in the bed is night/day with bags. Not only is bottoming out eliminated but sway is greatly reduced. Driving with overloaded springs is a good way to wear them out prematurely. Do your best to learn the advantages and best use for each mod and pick what works for your needs.

 

Understand but IMO airbags I could see better used when only hauling payloads in the bed of your truck. The WD hitch would still be a better choice when towing 5k lbs. or more. The air bags would definitely keep the truck level and keep your headlights down. However the air bags will not balance the weight of the truck and trailer. In a hard braking incident the the weight on your trailer could shift forward and press down hard on the tongue and turn the rear axle into a fulcrum point, since the truck can no longer squat appropriately due to inflated bags. This will force the rear down and take weight off your front tires and compromise your steering, braking and over all safety. This is what I know.

 

What are ya towing? A good weight distributing hitch would be a good idea. Or alter the loade so there isn’t so much tongue weight.

 

Adjusting the shock will improve ride but it’s not gonna keep the truck from sagging in the rear.

 

I have a question about the airbags. I see a lot of people with different make trucks using them. Seems to me that they are being used to overload a truck. Isn’t that real hard on the axle bearings?

 

Well, that would be incorrect use, but I am sure people do it. You could say that people using a HD leaf pack are using it to overload their truck as well. And yes, that would be hard on bearings, brakes, drivetrain, etc.

The Pro just needs a little help to remain level once you load more than 400 pounds in it. I only use 15 psi with around 600 pounds.

 

If you have good trailer brakes and set properly that won't happen so much in a hard braking incident imo. Won't force rear down.
I can set the trailer brakes so it pulls the Taco back actually but that's too much imo.
If you have a large load that needs a WD hitch you should realize you need trailer brakes first off.
No trailer brakes, I agree with your good point.

 

My first use was on my '05 Double Cab 4x4 Tacoma... and it was to enhance the weak springs that allowed the suspension to bottom-out when I hit any bump with any load in the bed or even back seat passengers.

I kept the airbags when I traded up to my 2010 but didn't install them on it until 5 years later when I also upgraded the shocks. The 2010 had better leaf springs than the 2005, as it didn't bottom-out under the same conditions... but I got a sense they were getting weaker so it made sense to put the Ride Rites on my newer Tacoma.

While it is amazing how it firms up/ levels the truck with heavy loads, most of my truck is either a light load or no load and the airbags still help... I run 15-20 psi typically when daily driving to provide the firm spring feel a truck should have and add air when I do put a big load in... up to 35 psi.

Yes, it is possible to crack an axle if you overinflate them... they are rated for over 100 psi but the force of these rubber bags is stronger than the steel axles and I have heard of broken axles from overinflating them! 5 psi is the minimum and I would say 40 psi is probably a max for our Tacomas. See my chart of the lift they provide at various pressure levels:


Measuring from the street up to the wheel well, past the center of the wheel, empty truck bed, 3/4 tank of gas in tank, 265/75-16 tires:

Left (driver's) side:
5 psi = 36.5"
15 psi = 37.25"
20 psi = 37.75"
25 psi = 38"
35 psi = 38.5"
40 psi = 38.5"

At 5, 15, and 20 psi, the right side was .25" taller but the same at 25-40 psi.

Looks like 2" is the max lift, but with more pressure, the ride is surely stiffer. You can feel a big difference between 5 psi and 25 psi. I usually run mine around 15 psi.

Today I set it so both sides were level (37.75") with 20 psi on the driver's side and 18 psi on the passenger's side.