increasing load capacity/height

Hi All, stoked to come across this forum. Thanks to everyone for sharing the taco wisdom.
I just bought a 2019 Offroad 4x. Had a 99' forever which treated me ssooo well which i recently totaled..tears. Anyways I'm a carpenter by trade and been going in CIRCLES about the best way to increase load capacity so I can comfortably tote my enclosed 5x8 tool trailer and materiels etc when needed. PLaying with the many options of: adding leafs, sumo springs, air bags, a lift, spacers etc etc.... there are a lot of routes. I definately want a little more clearance as well for 31" tires etc. Would love to hear any of your recommendations or experiences.

 

In truth, there isn't a way to increase the load/tow capacity of the truck.

Anything you add to the truck will reduce the load capacity. All add-ons will add weight impacting the Cargo Capacity. Towing your trailer has the same issue, can't increase the tow capacity. Trailer tongue weight is considered as Cargo.

If you need to haul/tow more than the truck can handle, then you need a bigger truck.

Sure, there are things you can bolt onto the truck to help carry the load. But its a series of diminishing returns. Each add-on weight is considered Cargo, so this effectively reduces the useable capacity. If you take off 200 lbs, then add back 300 lbs, you have reduced your load capacity by 100 lbs.

 

Understood and I appreciate your input Knute. Maybe I should have worded my inquiry better. I am looking to help out support my ass end when I'm carrying loads. On my 99' I added super springs (leaf) which helped give me another 900lbs of weight in my bed which did a good job. I know there are many ways to support the rear end of my truck such as, springs, air bags, sumos, heavy duty lifts etc etc. that is my inquiry.

 

If you are going to be carrying a constant load of +whatever lbs, I’d look into Deaver u402 springs or Icon RTX leaf pack. Both can be bought / set up in varying weight capacity’s.
Keep in mind these options will need to be paired with longer rear shocks.

If the load or trailer is only like 1 day a week or intermittent and you like an OEM feel ride while unloaded or daily driving, I’d look I to Timbren towing bumpstops (I actually have a used pair for sale) or airbags.

 

I don't know the cargo capacity of the '99. I know these truck generally have around 1000 lb cargo capacity.

This includes driver, passengers, stuff in the cab/bed, add-ons and trailer tongue weight.

At 900 lbs, with you driving and a trailer tongue weight, I'd suspect you were well over the capacity of the truck.

Suggest you pull the trailer to a CAT scale, find out how much it weighs and get the tongue weight. Figure out how much the stuff in the bed weighs. Run the math, find out where you are on Cargo Load and Tow Capacity.

Then go buy the helpers or get a bigger truck.

 

Changing or adding springs does not increase your capability. It only helps how well it can manage the weight. Even a simple add a leaf will keep you out when it comes to this. I am sure the Tacoma can be pushed to its limits and then some without concern.

 

I don’t know about this. Legally - whatever that means - you are probably right but practically there clearly are ways to increase it (or to decrease it which is what everyone with their permanent tents and overland crap does).

example: you add all the tow package items to an otherwise non-tow package truck. VIN search or door stickers or whatever will not care but so what?

another example: install deeper gears, heavy duty suspension, supercharger or V8 swap, brake upgrades and frame reinforcements (or axle upgrades, sky is the limit) and obviously the truck will now be able to handle more weight...

 

Sure, you can do all that.

But and a BIG BUT it is.......what about the Frame? Reinforcements will help, will you do the entire frame?

After you go thru all those mods, wouldn't it have been a more useful path to get a bigger truck with all that already on it?

Say perhaps as GMC/Chevy 2500, Ford 250, Dodge 2500.......

 

Best place to look is SAE J2807, the recentish standard in use for determining ratings.
http://www.trucktrend.com/how-to/towing/1502-sae-j2807-tow-tests-the-standard/

At the end of the day, the law won't look at your truck and say 'oh yeah those new springs, we'll just add an extra hundred pounds to the rating'. A lot more to it.


@golden camel How heavy is your trailer anyway? If its within the tow rating as is, I'd probably just look at some new springs and some better tires.

 

PM me if you want to know what I did. This is 3400lbs unloaded and about 4100lbs or so loaded with water and gear

 

I personally have the ICON RXT leaf pack at option 3 (I have a constant load of about ~500lbs over my bed, including the steel high-clearance bumper with dual swingout and full size tire and jerry cans) paired with ICON 2.0in Extended Travel shocks and DuroBump bump stops. If you had my setup WITH sumo springs or Timbren Towing Bumpstops, you should be good to go!

 

Thanks all for the responses. Really appreciate you taking the time write. My trailer only weights 1500-2500lbs depending on tools. And in the bed of truck i'd like to comfortable tote 200-500lbs when needed. I dont tote the trailer more then once or twice a week to jobs if that. So I dont want to sacrifice ride quality on an over kill/expensive setup if possible. Just want to look at all the options so I can do the upgrade one time the right way. Once again i'm very appreciative of the options coming thru.