Rear overloads needed.....

I towed heavy for the first time yesterday with my 2013 4x4 Tacoma, it was my 24' enclosed race car trailer, 8.5' x 24'. Not sure exactly what it weights but the car inside 'Datsun 240Z' is ~2700# and an easy 500# more in gear. I pulled it a couple hundred miles round trip. Power wasn't to much concern I locked out OD and ran 60 mph and that was comfortable at ~2600 rpm. Trans temp stayed way down around 140-145*, I was glad to see that. Brakes were absolutely no issue at all and I have a nice brake controller on it as well. Issue was tongue weight was a bit heavy and the truck was on the bump stops, it brought the front up pretty high and rode a bit harsh. I googled overload options and came up with Timbren overload kit to look the best to me. I was curious if anyones used them here? It's a simple bolt on rubber bag like a air bag that bolts in place of the orig. rubber bump stop. less than 200 bucks on ebey. Part number

$270 TORTUN4 Suspension Enhancement System

TORTUN4 due to my tow package pring kit has 4 leafs rather than 3. For the 3 leaf pack it calls for a

$270 TORTUN4L Suspension Enhancement System

TORTUN4L

 

PM TW member Monkeyface , he just added Timbrens

 

Heavy duty leaf packs and or air bags.
http://www.suspensionconnection.com/2407.html

 

Oh and when I stopped to get fuel I only had 169 miles on the tank, and she held 17.7 gallons. Horrible millage I thought, the engine just didn't feel like it was under that much strain. My Scan Gauge showed to be using around 60-85 HP on average

 

Well the overload bags came in look forward to getting them on and towing to see the difference. I will post back for others to see the change good or bad in case your looking for something similar. I was impressed with the way it towed other than the millage and the rear setting on the factory overloads.

Ryan

 

Well I installed them the other day, the ride empty is def. noticeable. Probaly exagrated by me having 4-600# of tools in the bed at all times. I'm thinking there going to help a lot while towing the car hauler on the weekends but bumed that it affects the empty ride as much as it does...... I'll update after a good heavy tow again

Ryan

 

You should consider a weight distribution hitch. Configured and installed properly, it will distribute the load evenly across the truck and trailer. This will prevent the front end from rising up and the backend from lowering.

Excellent info here: http://www.etrailer.com/faq-weightdistribution.aspx

 

The ride is a bit stiffer unloaded but not to bad. It does make a world of diff with a heavy trailer in tow though. I'd recc. them for sure!

Tucker

 

Air bags are the better option than overloads. I added them shortly after I bought my truck and they have made it handle towing so much better. I still need to get a trailer brake controller; but the stability while towing now is great.

 

A real inflatable air bag or the progressive non air up style bags like I purchased? Mine basicly replaced the bump stop with a much bigger progressive bump stop from the way I see it. It keeps the truck from sagging and I'm sure the leafs enjoy not getting bent so far and worked as hard while towing. I have the 4 leaf towing pack but it was no where enough for pulling a loaded 22' car hauler loaded with race stuff and a 2600# car inside.

Don't remember the brand brake controller I bought but it's a damn good one, it does a great job. And was super easy to install, it came with the correct plug that just plugged in under the dash. It adj. 2 diff. ways the over all brake strength and the way [speed] that it comes in, these 2 cane be fined tuned to really brake well.

If the millage didn't suck so bad I would really brag on the way it tows this trailer to the track now. I'm used to driving Dodge trucks with a Cummins diesel since 93 then 99 then 05, so I know its a big diff. to get used to. First time owing a gas truck in a long long time.

 

I went with Firestone ride right's. The mileage is not awesome but it handles great.