How do I eliminate squat

[Tundra 2014]

Check out Timbren's, they usually handle more load than the Sumos. Very similar and 0 effect when not loaded or towing. Helped a lot on my Tundra.

[Vetteman71]

Originally Posted by wellsy

My truck doesn't squat much and I still have great great steering control. What can I do mechanically to help in getting my truck to level? Looks to be about 2 inches of squat, I have an equalizer WDH. I'm perfect on trailer hitch weight. Maybe stronger leaf springs?

Look into the Sumo springs for your tow vehicle, they seem to be all the rage now vs air bag expense. It is a closed cell poly item. looks like a bump stop on steroids!

[wellsy]

Originally Posted by rsdata

YOUR DRY spec weight is 3806# without propane tanks and battery. Probably closer to 4,000# with these items and minimal cargo and 14% gives me 560# tongue weight. You posted earlier 300# passengers and 200# of cargo. So your marginally over your payload... as was pointed out earlier.

a WDH hitch will not buy you any additional truck payload... neither will airbags...

airbags will help with leveling the truck though... and the Airlift 5000 is a good choice. I had a garage install mine ( on a Dodge Maxi Van ( extended van 3500... plenty of payload but the overhang past the rear wheels gave me squat) with manual air lines brought to the hitch area and they charged me $100.

One additional point from post #16 of your previous posted question "I need help to figure out if I can tow safely"... that shows P rated tires, on your stock Tacoma which will introduce some squat as they are soft tires.

I personally would upgrade to LT rated tires with more sidewall plies. THis will give you less squat because the tires will handle higher pressure and have much less side-to-side squirm and truck lean especially on turns. This tire setup is also safer as it will reduce the tendency for the trailer to fishtail.

Good luck, and drive slowly and safely until you get all of this figured out.

Oh good idea on the tires, didn't think of that. I will need tire in about 3 months about the time we start to travel...It really is just for looks if I'm being honest.

[Theo]

Originally Posted by wellsy

{snip}...It really is just for looks if I'm being honest.

Have you been to the CAT scales yet? Done your 3-pass weigh and entered the numbers in an available worksheet? Are you under all ratings?

My guess is you're way over both your rear axle weight rating AND your payload. Tires and bags won't fix "unsafe". Hope I'm wrong, but before you try to travel, do the worksheets. Be safe.

[ARhappycamper]

Originally Posted by Vetteman71

Look into the Sumo springs for your tow vehicle, they seem to be all the rage now vs air bag expense. It is a closed cell poly item. looks like a bump stop on steroids!

Exactly what I am looking at. People with them say the ride is fantastic as opposed to the rear hitting the bumpstops like when porpoising across some bridges and the like.

[PenJoe]

Originally Posted by D W

Have you scaled the rig empty, and the rig with trailer? That is the only way you'll know if you're transferring enough weight to the front.

Two inches may not seem a lot, but remember what Mr. Newton said, "For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction." In other words, 2" of sag on the rear axle will affect the front axle and/or suspension. It will also move your rig's center of gravity rearward.

Not mentioned yet. Any change from level and especially tail sag affect the headlight aim when driving at night. Oncoming traffic will be flicking their lights believing the brights are on-or may even reciprocate. Both can become serious safety issues.

As for the argument of helper spring vs air bags, springs can not be adjusted with variable loads while air bags can.

[SLPD8295]

Originally Posted by Tundra 2014

Check out Timbren's, they usually handle more load than the Sumos. Very similar and 0 effect when not loaded or towing. Helped a lot on my Tundra.

I just put the Timbren on my F 250. Was super easy install and they are rated at 6000 lbs.

[Matheny9]

wellsy, use sumo springs. they are a snap to install, a little pricey ($300) but works good. rated at 5000#lb

[Dreedo]

Airlift Airbags. Inflate when towing, deflate when not towing to preserve smoother ride. Works great on my RAM 1500. I tow 25' MiniLite and do have a WDH, but still felt that the rear end was about 2" low. Airbags fixed the issue.

[Luvsand]

You didn’t specify what year Tacoma. Some Tacomas fall under a recall for weak rear springs. Toyota has now upgraded them from 3 leafs to 4 leafs. You can read all about it on the tacoma forums. I have a 2011 tacoma sport 4x4 crew cab long bed. I had my springs changed under a Tsb before the recall. It helped some but I added Roadmaster RAS (active suspension)and it fixed the squat. Gave the truck a little raised rear which I like and it sits level when loaded.

[freebirds77]

Had the Air Lift on my 2008 Taco and it did make the tow more enjoyable keeping the rear bump stops from hitting. With the spring rear you seem to get more squat and compression in the bumps. On my 2013 Ram 1500 went with same set up and did make ride smoother but hard to keep bags inflated and with temp swings always having to adjust (did not have on board air). On my 2021 Ram 1500 I went with the Timbrens, I love them. Install and forget, only contact under heavy load on big bump, does not affect ride, and just touches with trailer on and WDH set. Well worth it and took 5 min to install. From my experience towing a few things over time, a spring rear end tends to squat more than a leaf rear.

[Brother Les]

Timbrens are on my truck. Solid.

[ARhappycamper]

Originally Posted by Matheny9

wellsy, use sumo springs. they are a snap to install, a little pricey ($300) but works good. rated at 5000#lb

It's a Tacoma. No doubt the Solo 1000 pair is plenty.

I just ordered the Solo 1500 pair for my F150.

[bbells]

Air bag suspension add on.

[Kaysman]

Add airbags!

[rocknrob4]

I installed a set of air bags on rear suspension and works like a charm. Towing a 20 tt

[pitzhauler]

They make a leaf spring adapter kit( can install it yourself) can't remember what it's called, but I hear it can help a lot to beef up springs.google leafsprings.

[Comanchecreek]

I vote airbags. I use an Air Lift setup. Has worked great for years. Not difficult to install. I "T'd" the air lines together and ran a single line into my console. It pressurizes both bags at the same time giving you exactly equal pressure in both bags. I installed a ball valve so I can dump the air from the driver seat. The newer bag systems have a bump stop built in so you won't ruin the bag if your air pressure drops to low. I haven't had that problem, but it can be a concern. The air fittings are available anywhere. I bought mine at NAPA.

[Brother Les]

Originally Posted by pitzhauler

They make a leaf spring adapter kit( can install it yourself) can't remember what it's called, but I hear it can help a lot to beef up springs.google leafsprings.

These spring adapter kits are mainly for to help weak leaf springs that are on the verge of needing to be replaced.



I have 'overload' leaf springs on my F-250. The rear of the truck must drop an inch and a half or more before these 'overload springs' engage. That much drop leaves my front end 'light'. Timbrens have taken care of this problem for me and have kept the truck straight and level.

[Theo]

Originally Posted by Luvsand

You didn’t specify what year Tacoma...{snip}

OP has a 2018 Tacoma TRD Off Road with the 3.5 V6 and a payload rating of 1000lbs. TT is an Apex Nano 213RDS with a GVWR of 6000lbs.