Possible Suspension and Leaf Upgrade?

Hello guys,

Super new to TW but I have only ever owned Tacoma's. Just got rid of my 04 Tacoma and got a 2020 SR SX Package 4WD V6. Anyways, back to the main topic.

I am planning on getting a camper shell sometime soon and it will likely level the truck out. I am planning on sleeping/camping in the truck occasionally on weekends sometimes with and probably sometimes w/o my girlfriend.

All in all do you guys think I would need an upgrade for my weight capacity? Considering it will be the shell, our gear and two people sleeping in the back? I know there is probably threads about this already but most of the threads I find are overlanding w/ RTT and a bunch of other stuff, not just casual truck sleeping/camping.

Thank you all for your time.

 

So camper shells weigh a lot, and cause a lot of body roll.

I'd suggest heavier leaf springs and air bags along with a rear sway bar to reduce roll on corners.

Tacomas aren't ideal for campers, most we see in the shop have inverted leaf springs. Even when upgraded. It's just not meant to take that much weight constantly.

 

So would you suggest something like HD Dakars? I am not planning on having all the camping gear and sleeping platforms in the back all the time, only when we need it. On a regular basis (during the week days) it will just be the camper shell on the back of the truck and maybe an additional 50 pounds of miscellaneous stuff.

Would I need something as heavy duty as HD Dakars or something smaller? I am planning to upgrade my suspension eventually to 5100's but that will be once my current suspension gives out.

 

What is the weight of the camper shell?

I'd say minimum air bags and add a leaf. So the AAL will do the work during the week, then the bags take up the slack during outback mode.
Ideally 5100s, sway bar, full leak pack and air bags when loaded.

 

I cannot seem to find the exact weight online but I believe it is going to be somewhere around 300 lbs. Planning to get a Snugtop Hi-Liner w/ a few added accessories.

I appreciate your advice/input.

 

Those rear sway bars 'look' like they get in the way but it's probably a good idea for a camper. Those ass ends on tacos are jumpy the way it is.
While on the topic of stability a wider stance and or wheels might be beneficial.

 

For a shell, you don't need anything...

 

True the stance on the SR is pretty bad at +30. Planning on upgrading that as well.

 

But with occasional camping gear and two people sleeping in the back at least once a month. You do not think there would need to be any upgrade in the rear?

 

Agree with 1999. Probably best to just get the shell to start with, and once you get it fitted out how you like it, you can upgrade the suspension (if necessary).

Occasionally putting 5-600 lbs in the back is within what these trucks can handle.

I've never heard of heavy duty springs plus airbags for a 300 lb shell, that seems way overkill to me, and sounds like it would ruin the ride.

 

Appreciate the input. I could wait until the rear starts to sag or I feel bottom out before upgrading (which I will probably do because ya boy ain't rich). But yeah 600-700lbs would be only occasional and all the time would be about 300-375 lbs in/on the bed.

 

I was thinking a proper pop out camper lol, a shell isnt much, so a simple air bag setup is fine.

 

I kept stock springs (for now) using lift block, medium shocks and medium sumo springs, lost over 1/2" rake hauling 400#'s of fertilizer yesterday.

 

I was thinking of the bigger heavier truck top campers.

 

Aal equals lift, not extra carrying capacity.

 

right but it will help prevent the bed from sagging under a heavier load.

 

Regardless of what your load is or what spring you use in the stock location (spring over axle) and the flexy frame you may never be really happy with the ride quality. The only way to reasonably deal with this a to go thru the work to convert to spring under axle setup. But yes add your load than it will be much easier to determine the best solution based on what the load does.