Suspension Upgrade Questions for newbie

Hey all!
Solo female 2016 Tacoma TRD sport 6' bed owner here! I have been looking into a Four Wheel Camper for some time now and I want to make sure I have all the necessary mods on the truck before jumping in. Im looking at either a Fleet model or a project M topper - does anyone have any advice on where to begin with suspension upgrades and tires? The current suspension on the truck is all stock with Khumo venture a/t tires. Let's hear it!

 

You got to consider future plans, Type of wheelin’ you’ll be doing and gotta be honest on how much you’re willing to dump on to your truck(money wise).

welcome.

 

Yeah definitely! I currently have a rtt on my truck and upgraded from a Subaru Crosstrek for the clearance and the difference in terrain you can do with the truck. I live around Oregon/Washington and do a ton of backcountry camping and snowboarding - I think I'd say the most im willing to dump on the truck would be pretty mid range - I want it to be quality, not incredibly expensive but also something that will last me a long time.

 

Will the camper be on 100% of the time, or close to it?

 

I usually recommend Bilstein 5100s and ICON RTX leaf pack for the rear as a good starting point. It's what i have on my 2006 Taco and i really like it. I had OME Dakar rear leaves and the ICONs are a better ride fore sure. whole set up isn't very expensive and will allow you to do quite a lot. the rear leaves will help with the added weight of a camper too.

 

Give @AccuTune Offroad a call.

 

Hey, I was always running stock or close to on my trucks, but found the leaf springs on the tacoma too soft with a canopy and a couple hundred pounds of gear, or construction projects etc.

You are going to get a lot of opinions and there is a lot to consider and plan around for your preferences.

I chose Dobinson's medium duty leaf springs that are rated for a constant load of 220 pounds for a double cab long box, but do really well with much more weight as well. Raised the back of my truck close to 2.5 inches unloaded, so you have to plan for how much lift you are going to get from different companies. I went with Elka rear shocks that are rated for 3” of lift on the back, and have Eibach coilovers for the front rated for up to 3 inches of lift over stock. In my case, I won’t be going over 2.5 inches of lift up front. Strictly function for me to support more weight with less sagging from the leaf springs.

Good luck.

 

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yeah the camper will be full time on the truck right now!

 

These are all such great suggestions! Thank you so much!

 

For what you are describing slightly more aggressive tires will do whatever you want to do. Something in a Cooper AT3 4S. Go up a size ~265/70-17. Good for mostly highway, some time offroad. Cooper ST MAXX if you want to bias more to offroad. Note the more aggressive tire the more road noise.


Cooper ST MAXX 255/80-17

 

Welcome aboard!!!! Have fun!!

 

I don't know if anyone actually checked the specs on these campers.
As far as I can tell the project M is the only realistic option based on weight from tje specs I saw. Can the fleet model be done sure but I would invest in a full size for that amount of constant weight.
Project M 377lbs
Fleet model 1050lbs
For the project M I would be suggesting a heavy duty leaf option that will support 4-600lbs static.
The fleet model your looking at the heaviest leaf pack you can find plus air bags and potentially frame gussets that's as you talking about a dry weight that is already max/exceeds gvm. That's before you sit in the vehicle or add anything else for supplies.

With that you would want a shock upgrade any off the shelf 2" offering from major suppliers will suffice with the project M. For the fleet model your looking 2.5 resi with custom valving to help manage that weight.

Now you come to matter of power. Project M set up throw a tune at it if you havnt already your good to go a re gear would be beneficial but not necessary. The fleet model will 100% require a re gear just to help manage that excessive weight with our gutless v6, may even want to consider a supercharger to help out.
This all assumes the back country adventures don't stray much from fire roads. But as you will find the more you mod you realise weight is the enemy of performance, reliability, longevity etc....

 

Before spending a dime: Every pound will matter. So I would be doing the lightest topper/canopy/camper as possible. Do your best to figure out as close to possible the weight of everything you plan to carry. Take time doing this because you will always think of more. Keep a spread sheet. Then when you think you have thought of everything divide the items into (must haves) and (like to have) columns. Use the (must have) total weight as your minimum packed weight. And as mentioned above will you be using this truck as a daily with no load. If so except that it may ride rough when empty. Better that way than for it to not handle the weight when loaded down. Then use the like to have weight total as your absolute max. But you may find you will need to do without some of the (like to have) Do you plan to go offroad or will it be just road maybe dirt road. Then you will have a starting point for what you might be needing. Not only will the weight possibly be an issue no matter what the higher your set up the aero will always be an issue. I also would be considering other brands. Just looked at what 4wheel camper wants for their installation and accessories some there is smoking something. This plastic $30.00 Rubermaid step on Amazon

$36 Rubbermaid Two-Step Folding Foot Stool 14" High White 300 Pound Capacity Small Step Stool for Adults/Kids for Use in Library/Kitchen/Bathroom/Garage/Closet

Amazon.com: Rubbermaid Two-Step Folding Foot Stool, 14-Inch High, White, 300 Pound Capacity, Small Step Stool for Adults/Kids for Use in Library/Kitchen/Bathroom/Garage/Closet : Home & Kitchen is $60.00 from 4wheel camper. Like I said, they are smoking something.

 

Here's a list of parts that make it easier to haul our Northstar Truck Camper:

Hammer Hangers

$190 TORQUE Airbag Air Bag Suspension Kit for 2005-2023 Toyota Tacoma 2WD 4WD and Prerunner 2WD Rear Helper Bag Spring Towing 5000 lbs (Replaces Firestone Ride Rite 2407) (TR2407)

Airbags (plumbed individually)
E-Rated Tires
Durobumps (up front)
Dobinsons Lift Kit
KD Max Tune
4:88 gears
(LCA) Frame Brace Kit
Spindle Gussets

Up Next:
Powerbrake kit

Here are some details on the shark fin removed

BTW, There's a Four Wheel Camper thread over here

 

I would respectfully suggest that the OP check out this website if they haven't already; TONS of good info there!

 

In that case, I'd highly recommend skipping air bags and going directly to a new leaf pack in the rear of your truck. I don't recommend them if you'll be going back and forth between loaded with camper and empty bed, that's when airbags really shine. I have the Deaver U402 Stage 3 Expedition leaf springs. Have been running them for over 5 years and have treated me extremely well. The specs say they will you give you about 2 inches of lift (on a 3rd gen) with 700-1000lbs of constant bed weight. My truck sits really nice when loaded with my Scout camper. My goal was no lift, but I am running 32 inch tires (1 inch taller than stock). I went to this size to get the specific E load tires I wanted. You will definitely want E load tires. They are far stiffer and have much higher load carrying capacity. They allow running higher pressures (I like about 60psi in the rear) which makes the truck feel much more stable when loaded.

What type of terrain will you be on? Forest roads and trails, or just pavement for the most part? I honestly have shifted more to campgrounds since picking up the Scout, but still hit forest roads now and again.

 

i love having air springs for leveling on uneven ground

 

hi all, i also am female solo newbie to tacoma cab over camping.

I have a 2016 TRD Sport dbl cab, 5 ft bed. I am looking @ the Scout Yoho
So suspension.......
Les Schwab said they can install Firestone air bags..... or is there a better quality, more recommended air bag?
I will be on west coast highways, national park paved roads and some fire roads, no bouldering or extreme off roading.....
I think the tacoma has tie downs that will work but do I need to upgrade them?

thank you!

 

Depends on your needs. I wanted to keep my 1.5” lift with my Eagle. I ended up with Bilstein 5100’s up front set at 1.55” with Toytec AAL, Airbags, and 5100’s in the rear. At that time that was the best, cheap option. I took it off-road frequently, mostly forest service roads, but also some more aggressive places that some stock 4WD SUV’s couldn’t make it, but nothing extreme.


If I had to do it over again I would likely go with a full rear leaf replacement with either an Alcon or Deaver leaf pack and maybe airbags, depending on how it sat in the rear. Bilstein 6112/5160 as well.


Biggest “upgrade” I did for the camper though was Load Range E and AAL’s. I did/do not have any armor (bumpers, sliders, etc.)


My camper was on my truck full time, my truck is also my DD.

 

Have you joined the Scout Campers Owners Facebook group? Lotsa good info over there directly pertaining to the Scout campers, I'm one of the main admin's over there.

As for your suspension, I think that really depends on whether the camper will be on full time, or removed frequently for using the truck without the camper. In that case, airbags like the firestone's, are probably your best option. If the camper will be on your truck pretty much full-time, a heavy duty leaf pack is probably the better option. Just depends on use case.

Tie downs are somewhat questionable. Not sure I've heard of anyone actually breaking the front ones, but multiple people have installed heavier duty tie downs in the front, including myself. You can find my tie down modifications over on the 3rd page of the Scout Yoho truck camper thread. It's not overly active, but the FB group mentioned above is VERY active.