What are some rear support options to stop squatting?

Two days after I bought my 23 SR5 (on 1/20/24) I drove to Lyons GA to purchase my new 12' dual axle trailer. I have not tried to figure out the tongue weight yet, but my squat was noticeable (maybe 3-4") with only the unladen trailer tonnge attached to my hitch. As it was going down I had nightmares about my then new 88 GMC - it was a horrible squatter, but worse yet a 7 month horror movie.

I'm not looking for lift (at least not yet), but I'd like to shore it up a bit, say maybe airbags, or spring assist.

Suggestions?

I did a search but nothing obvious came up, but I'm certain it's out there.

 

Add a leaf to the rear . If u want to get fancy u can do air bags . Be cheaper just to add a leaf .

 

You could try Hellwig helper springs. ~$260, easy install, level under load.

 

Look into a weight distribution hitch

 

How much does the trailer weigh?

You have many options, tons if threads on this.

Add a leaf to your current pack. Helper spring. Bump stop helper sumo spring. Air bags. New leaf pack.

This trailer sounds like it’s very heavy, a weight distribution hitch is a must.

Typically most feel 5000lb or more is way too much for Tacoma and it will struggle with its duties.

 

Best: Full leaf replacement pack. Icon RXT or similar. May require small lift in front to match.

Better: 3 leaf AAL. Headstrong add-a-leaf or similar. Also may require small lift in front to match.

Good: Suspension helpers.

• Airbags - pro, infinitely adjustable. con, you are adjusting it for every ride.
• Roadmaster Active suspension - pro, also adjustable, easiest to install or take off. One of the only helpers that also reduces axle wrap/sway. con, you need two wrenches and a jack to adjust them, at about 10 minutes per side. Sometimes forgetting to set them has your truck riding stink-bug when empty.
• Bushing/bump-stop cushions - pro, usually the cheapest solution, and also one of the most popular. A set it and forget it setup. Con, it will be the same rate of stiffness whether empty or loaded.

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Not good: 1 leaf AAL. I don't think anyone goes this route anymore.

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Roadmaster Active Suspension. And weight distribution hitch helps.

 

How heavy is this trailer? What do you intend to haul on it and how heavy is that? Do you know your GVW. Dual axles are typically 7-14k.

 

Sumo Springs....

 

They wouldn’t let me drive away with a dual axle trailer at u haul. Had to get a little one.

 

How often it will be used *may* influence your choice..

 

specs on trailer?

As mentioned, full leaf pack is the right way. The OE springs sag when hauling Mee-maws groceries, when the prunes are on sale.

 

First off, make sure you have proper draw bar drop. If you are to high. It's lifting front axle of trailer up. A tandem empty, shouldn't sag your at all. My 14ft enclosed didn't sag mine at all. It did when loaded (5k in it), but minimal with Sumo springs.

 

My rear end started to sag from all the weight I had so i got Firestone Ride Rites. No longer sagging but the ride is much harsher/firmer. I'd recommend an AAL or new leaf pack

 

Thank you each for the input. The trailer weighs 1,350, so pretty light. The most I have to carry, and only for short (largely level) distances, is my Kioti CK2601 (9x3 manual) Tractor and bucket (2,640# for the tractor, plus 930# for the KL4030 loader and bucket . My wife has a CanAm Defender HD10 Limited (2,180#), and I have a John Deere Z920M with a 60" deck (1,283#). So at the most the trailer will carry between 3,500-3,800# of weight, plus the rolling weight of the trailer at 1,350, so well within the advertised tow weights for the truck.

As of yet I've only towed the trailer empty from NE GA to home in N FL, and no problems obviously.

Possibly tomorrow, I'll throw the tractor on there, and tow it around to get an idea of power, tow, ride, etc. I still need to add 4 hard points, because I did not tell them I needed those, so break out the Hobart Ironman Mig.

 

Definitely get trailer brakes for those weights, even for short distances, which is about all you’re going to make it with those weights and the Tacoma.

 

Weird. I've rented the 6x12 dual axle at least a half dozen times with no issues.

 

Yah. I think it was just that guy, maybe he was jealous of my truck…

 

Agreed, my new trailer has a rear brake axle, and I have a 7 way connection, so I'm good there. Spot on for the distances. The furthest I'd pull a load in a day is 200 miles from my house to my fathers in Panama City. The tractor is obviously the heaviest, and that might be a bit of a load on it. Hopefully I won't be having to make that jog with the tractor.

 

This trailer has dual 3,500 lb axles, so it would max out at 6.150 max on the deck.