Helping Tundra with Rear Sag

[ColoradoRick]

Since I have no experience with truck mods to help towing I figured I'd ask the experts.

I'm noticing the rear of my Tundra drops a few inches, probably 2-3, whenever I hook up the trailer to it. I've made no modifications to the truck and she did come with the tow package.

Is there something I can do to the truck to decrease that sag?

[dannyabear]

Air bags

[ColoradoRick]

Yikes air bags are big money, no whammies!! Are helper springs any good?

[fireftr27]

Yes air bags can be expensive. I went that route with a remote control air pump. Firestone air bags with airlift remote control and pump. Works great.

[Ken K.]

Whatever happened to weight distribution kits and heavy duty trunnion bars to keep your rig level.

[Roving Ron]

Do use a weight distributing hitch? If not, try that first. I have a 2008 5.7L Tundra and added Easy Lift 5000 air bags with an onboard compressor so that I could ease off one link on the bars on my EZ Lift WDH when towing our Rockwood 2703WS (gross wt 7400lbs, tongue wt about 900lbs)


Grey Nomads, Ron and Sue

[RPAspey]

What trailer are you pulling? Do you have a weight distribution hitch? I load my Tundy up, then use the airbags to bring the ball back to original, then use the WDH to level her out.

BTW, air bags are less than $200. Its the air compressor that's expensive.

[Greyhawk]

If cost is an issue, try the Monroe Load Adjusting Shocks.
MONROE SHOCKS & STRUTS :: Load Adjusting Shock Absorbers
I put a set on my 2008 Ford F-150 and they really worked well. The OEM shocks were worn out anyway. Just keep in mind that the ride will be stiffer when running without the trailer. If you don't want the stiffer ride, your only option is adjustable air shocks.
And, of course, the WDH is a must.

[asquared]

As asked above, do you have a weight distribution hitch? It may need to be adjusted. A really good way to figure that out is to head to a www.catscale.com and weigh the truck and trailer combo. Make one pass with just the truck with the front axle on scale pad 1 and rear axle on scale pad 2. Make the second pass with the truck and trailer, no wdh. Have the truck as in 1st pass and the trailer axles on scale pad 3. Make a third pass with the truck and trailer with wdh (set up on scale pads the same way as in 2nd pass). Your goal with the wdh is to get your front axle weight as close to unloaded weight as possible without going heavier. This should help level you out some.

Here is some great info on WDH:
Travel Trailer Hitch Set-up Procedure
Weight Distribution (WD) Hitch --- How it Works

[HONDAMAN174]

Coloradorick- I had the same sag issue that you are dealing with. At first I looked at Firestone airbags but even at the lowest price of 325 then the time to install my mental math was well over 500. Then another member told me about sumo springs - a helper spring. Called the company and they were great to talk with. Gave me two different options which would be no cost for me to change if I didn't like the first setup. Took 20 minutes to install!! Hardest part is being on your back under the truck.

Did a 400 mile pull the next day and wow what a difference! I'm running around 950 TW and then with my bed cap and cargo I'm pretty well maxed out. These things stand about 5 -6 inches high and when compressed 50% that is 1000lbs assist. So, now my butt only drops about 1.5 inches when hooked and wdh set which isn't bad considering how much weight is back there. And could really tell the ride difference down I-40 with the sumo springs soaking up most of the bumps/cracks/crappy road. I spent 200 with my wholesale discount and I don't have to maintain anything. Let me know if you have any other questions or want the name of the great people at super springs.

PS- they can custom make coil spring helpers if you have a vehicle that needs a little lift. Turned a few Honda customers on to them and Odyssey and pilot owners are loving it!

[ColoradoRick]

Well I'm not sure if I have a WDH hitch. It has two beams that have to be clipped to the trailer and I have to jack up the hitch to get them on and off. I know it's for anti-sway bit is it also WDH?


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[RPAspey]

Originally Posted by ColoradoRick

Well I'm not sure if I have a WDH hitch. It has two beams that have to be clipped to the trailer and I have to jack up the hitch to get them on and off. I know it's for anti-sway bit is it also WDH?


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

Yes, that's a weight distribution hitch.

What trailer are you pulling? What's the hitch weight? Its kind of important as without knowing, we have a hard time helping to determine whats going on. Still could be a setup issue or a Tundy issue.

[fonzie]

Post picture of your hitch set up, it takes all the guessing out of it....also this might do the job for you...

http://www.sdtrucksprings.com/tortun...ndra-2000-2014

[PhoneDude 8289]

I did the firestone air bags installed myself about four years ago. Easy install & took a couple of hours. Spent about $200 on the bags, no compressor and the bags have served us well for the past four years. When I'm ready to hook up I put 30# in the bags, when not towing and running around town the bags have 5# in them. Got about 1600# on the pin according to the scales.

[ColoradoRick]

Thanks, everyone...and I dug out my RV file to get more information. (Yes, I do have a "4-way equalizer/sway hitch")

It's a 2013 Rockwood Model 2904SS. I'm looking through everything and don't see hitch weight but found these:

Dry Weight: 6205
GVWR/PNBV is 7683

[pappcam]

You need to readjust or get someone knowledgeable to adjust your WDH so it's transferring the weight correctly. There will always be some sag at the back. You need to measure the front fender height before hookup and after hookup as that's the main defining measurement on setting up a WDH.

[gbpacker]

Originally Posted by ColoradoRick

Since I have no experience with truck mods to help towing I figured I'd ask the experts.

I'm noticing the rear of my Tundra drops a few inches, probably 2-3, whenever I hook up the trailer to it. I've made no modifications to the truck and she did come with the tow package.

Is there something I can do to the truck to decrease that sag?

I tow a 23SS trailer with a 2004 tundra equipped with a equalizer hitch.

With no further adjustment truck does not sag. Do you have an a equalizer hitch?

With no further adjustment truck does not sag. equalizer hitc?

[danc]

I have a 14 tundra and use a w/d hitch. if the w/d hitch is adjusted correctly you shouldn't get much sag maybe a inch or so. i also changed out my rear shocks to rancho rs9000xl which made a difference in the ride.

[MOUNTAINGNOME]

I have a Nissan Frontier that really squatted when I hitched up. Wanted something that did not need messing with. Called Supersprings and had the springs in a couple of days. About a half hour per side to install.

The springs stay on all of the time, can be adjusted for heavier loads if needed. The truck handles and rides the same as it did without the springs. Supersprings has a number of options.

[Boso]

That is a very easy fix not expensive go to Timbren springs no upkeep trouble free added them to my 250 had a 2-3 sag with fifth wheel install in 30 min.