Best Suspension Options for Towing

Hey guys -

I have a 2014 Tacoma Sport. I recently purchased a 22ft. trailer for 2 Polaris RS1's. The trailer is about 1050Lbs and the machines together with full fluids are about 3000Lbs for a total of a 4050Lbs load. The truck is rated for up to 6500Lbs. Its definitely a fairly heavy load for the truck, but I still get to where I'm going, albeit a little slower. The only thing I don't like is how much the rear of the truck sags with the trailer hooked up.

I've done a lot of research on the internet and have come up with a couple possible solutions:

1. Icon 1.5" progressive add a leaf w/ Biltein 5100 shocks in the front and back. $600
or
2. Blue or Black SumoSprings - $220 -$240

What's the better bet here? The truck has 40k miles on the clock. And after spending the coin on the trailer and machines the best bang for the buck would be great. Eventually I'll be purchasing a larger truck to tow with, but I want to wait to see what the 2022 Tundra's are all about first. What's everyone's thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

 

Of the two choices you provide I would pick the sumo springs. The aal's will lift the vehicle when you're unloaded giving you lots of rake and aren't exactly designed for what you want. They will probably wear out prematurely if you are going to be towing a lot and eventually sag as much as stock suspension. The sumo springs to my knowledge won't lift but prevent sag. More better in this application imo. But the ultimate choice I would pick would be airbags. Lots of adjustability and made for towing.

 

I’d take a look at the Firestone ride right airbags. I have these with daystar cradles and it’s great when towing and/or completely bogging down the bed. Cradles if you’re ever off-road. If I recall correctly you’ll be in the sumo springs price range.

 

If you go with SumoSprings go blue. The blue ones will work fine because your towing not carring the load and want to keep your ride quality when not towing. The black ones are more dense and would be overkill since you're not carrying the load in the bed of your truck and will create a firmer ride when empty or not towing.

Here's a link to Q&A's that helped with my decision.
https://www.supersprings.com/which-density-is-right-for-you/

 

My 5x10' utility trailer with golf cart is about 1200 lbs, tongue weight about 250 lbs. I have Air Lift air bags and 25psi levels the truck (stock springs). On the truck now for 6 years and still going strong. Lifetime warranty.
Unless you off road and chassis articulation is an issue, Daystar cradles aren't necessary (IMO).

 

I have the blue sumo springs. They really limit the squat from heavy tongue weights and I haven't really noticed any change in ride quality when not towing

 

Airbags, as mentioned above.

 

Another vote air bags. Can be adjusted for different weight loads and keeps your same ride quality when not towing.

 

I say sumo springs.

I had firestone airbags for about 3 yrs and it got to be a hassle with the constant leaks I was having. It would be every year I would need to make a warranty claim with firestone on a leaking bag. I don't know if was the type of bag (cylindrical shape with vertical walls vs donut with round walls) causing pinching, or the fact that I was a high mileage, high off road, heavy hauling, heaving towing use case b/c of work (crop advisor) that causes excessive wear on the bags, but I got sick of the down time the firestone bags were causing on my truck.

Airbags also limit suspension travel much more than sumo springs

I really like the zero maintenance aspect of Sumo springs. You don't have to maintain a min 10 psi in the bags.

.

 

Can you run a weight distribution hitch? That's the better solution since it transfers weight off the rear axle. Search YouTube for airbags vs weight distribution and there is a pretty good video that covers this.

You'll need to account for the weight shift and make sure that you don't exceed your trailer axle's load rating.

Also, make sure you have the correct tongue weight on the trailer, to far back and it'll cause sway.

I towed our travel trailer (24ft and 5,500lbs loaded) for a year on stock suspension using a weight distribution hitch.