Suspension for dirtbike hauling

I'm gonna be haulng 2 dirtbikes a good deal soon. 250/280 lbs respectively. I'm wondering if I should start thinking of beefing up the rear suspension and maybe doing something to the front too. I'd like to lift the truck eventually but I just dropped 3 grand on a KTM so I'm not sure I want to drop another grand on a lift right away. Just curious what my options are!

 

You can do an add a leaf to help but I wouldnt bother beefing up the suspension to then just change it in a few months to the suspension you really want. Truck will sit about level with your bike in the back.

If you are lifting later on, then thats just money and effort down the drain.

 

dirtbikes are light weight. I wouldn't worry about it too much until you start hauling them and see how the truck handles. I put wheelers hd springs in my truck, but I haul a quad and tow a trailer at times.

 

I've never had many issues hauling 1 or 2 bikes in my 1st gen. Granted i have some lift in the rear. You can tell they're back there but not enough to make me want to beef up the rear suspension more. If needed i'd just throw in an AAL and call it good.

 

Remember, the more you lift the back, the harder it's going to be to get the bike in there. I switched from a full size to the tacoma for that very reason. I've had a couple thumpers back there, and didn't seem to bother the truck.

Might want to look into the tailgate reinforcement by Relentless Fab though. I've yet to mess mine up, but the horror stories might be enough to sway your vote towards getting one.

 

The stock springs on the 2nd gens are crap. 200 lbs and it will sag. Aal is pretty cheap, but your rear will sit higher than the front. You could slap some spacers on the front as well. Just to hold you off till you get a lift

 

I have the 3+1 leaf pack From the drive line vibe tsb with a wheelers single leaf 2in aal and 5100s in the front at 1.75. Keeps the stock rake but handles my dirtbikes much better than stock

 

Airbags FTW.

 

Airbags for me, very happy with the adjustability. I keep them at 5 lbs empty, and 20lbs with 2 bikes in the back. Without them I would bottom out a lot and because of the rear sag my headlights were blinding oncoming drivers.

 

Yep Airbags here too. Firestone Riderite

 

Get a tailgate re-enforcement plate from Relentless or KBVoodoo for sure.

 

I have the ride rite airbags on my TRD OR Tundra and had a problem with breaking bolts on the lower mount.....heard there were some issues with the TRD Suspension and Air bags. Finally got some Poly "buckets" that let you have the bags attached only at the top so when the springs flex a lot the bag simply lifts off of the lower perch and then sets back down when the suspension compresses. Anyone running air bags had any problems with the Taco's?