Payload Upgrade

I'm quickly approaching the 989 lbs max on my 2023 TRDOR SB 4x4. I had always assumed that the payload for the model would be around 1150 lbs (give or take based on options), but never realized whatever options I installed decreased the load by 150+ lbs (the option option I added was LED headlight and blackout overlay). well.. just gotta live with it.

Is adding leaf the best way (or the only way) to increase payload? Do you HAVE TO do anything other than adding leaf (for example, changing shocks, etc... asking b/c not a big fan of lifting truck)?

Does more leaf mean more rake (when no load)?

My goal is (if possible) to just add springs in the rear and increase payload without changing anything else. Is this possible?

thanks!!!!

 

OP- I would suggest an AAL, new leaf pack, or add some airbags. I run AAL and Firestone bags, the bags make the biggest difference when loaded with weight(i run mine at 40PSI when loaded and towing my camper)

 

Just a clarification for you. You cannot increase payload, that's the number listed in your door jamb. You can, however, increase how well your truck handles when running at, or over, your rated payload.

Do you have a use case that makes you think you actually need more payload?

 

Flame me if I’m wrong, but i didn’t think air bags, AAL, etc. increased the payload at all.

 

Nothing you add will increase your payload. There a ton of factors that go into determining how much payload a truck can carry. If you want a bigger payload I’m afraid you’re going to have to buy a bigger truck.

 

I guess that's what I'm trying to say. Need to be able to carry more human/cargo above 989 lbs. Mostly forest trails, light offloading... nothing too crazy.

Bed rack: 160lbs
RTT: 160 lbs
Slider: 180 lbs
Two Persons in truck: 360 lbs at minimum.
Awning: 50 lbs
Two scepter with mount and liquid: 180 lbs

Total for above is 930lbs. so with food/ice/gear, I'd be over the payload.

What can I do to "increase how well your truck handles when running at, or over, your rated payload."?

 

If the truck will be loaded like that all the time, I'd get a custom leaf pack designed to carry the load. I'm a fan of Deaver U402 Expedition Springs, I run stage 3, but that would probably be overkill for you. If you will be unloaded most of the time, or intermittently, you might look into air bags so you can decrease pressure for similar ride to stock when unloaded, and then air up the bags when you load the truck up.

 

make senses, thanks for correcting that. Why do people add a leaf or get a set of HD leafpack? What does that help?

 

Thanks. Truck is exclusively for trips, camping, etc.. so yeah, the gears and tent will not come off. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

Payload is what Toyota says your truck can reliably handle in normal use. Anything beyond that and you won't be as safe, as the brakes aren't designed for more, the suspension isn't designed for more, etc. It'll wear things out a lot faster than staying within Payload. Folks like me blow past payload, but we know we are at much greater risk of things failing. I try and drive accordingly, slow down, leave more space, try and be prepared for the inevitable case something breaks...

 

That makes sense.

What's the purpose of adding a leaf or a leaf pack? Just prevents sagging in the rear?

 

Your looking at a full leaf pack. It will sit better and ride better. I'm running into this issue currently. I have easily 3-400lbs additional load at any given time and that can be 6-700 before driver/passenger.
As stated payload doesn't "change" I don't think we have a way to certify a GVM increase like the aussie land.

Now the downsides are if you don't carry this weight all the time the truck will run rougher and much taller when unloaded. So if this is a 20% of the time deal air bags might be better suited. The truck should always have some rake or be just level when fully loaded.

This is a comparison of loaded vs empty minus the tent. It's about 3" of sag and I gain a good 1/2-1" upfront it drives miserably with the front unloaded that much.


Currently on OME Dakar 111's going to dobinsons 112's at the end of the month.
Interesting tid bit dobinsons rates their leaves -400lbs on a LB vs a SB only site iv seen seperate listings

 

It depends on the leaf pack. Some are for carrying more load, some for lift, some for softer ride, and some for longer travel.

In your use case, you want to maintain ride height in the rear when loaded (no sagging). The first image below is similar to what comes on your truck, 3+1 (3 regular springs, and one overload (the flat one)).




Below is an example of a Deaver U402 Stage 3. Mine have 9 leaves, and 2 overloads. The overloads only start helping when the springs have already sagged down to them. There is a whole lot more metal to help support your load. Again though, these are overkill most likely for you.



They come in three ratings.



For a 2nd gen, like mine, they say you should get 3 inches of lift with the weights listed. I have heard it is 2 inches of lift for a 3rd gen. Since you aren't looking for lift, and your truck will be 550 pounds or so of constant gear, you might look into stage II. I probably wouldn't recommend stage 1, simply because 99% of people underestimate the weight they are hauling. Things add up fast. Fridge, snacks, beer, soda, battery packs, sleeping bags, pots and pans, RC cars, camera equipment, the dog and all it's stuff, the list is endless.

I'm a Deaver fan, but there are other brands you could look into as well.

 

In that case, I would skip the bandaids, and get a proper full leaf pack. You will thank yourself in the long run.
You may have to have a custom pack made, as you don't want lift, and many aftermarket leaf packs also add lift.

 

wow. thanks both for detailed info. Learn something new every day.

So I think I'll do my best not to exceed payload. With that said:

(1) I measured about 35.5 inches on both front and rear with the gears that will stay with the truck. Of course, when I load more stuff into the truck, it'll most likely be between the front and rear wheel, so I won't have sagging issues.

(2) I just noticed the stock leafpack on my truck has a slight negative arch. I wonder what'd happen over time. Should I be concerned? I'd like to stay as stock as possible.

 

(1) I have no idea what the stock measurement is but the popular methodology is to measure the center of your wheel to the fender directly above it. This way, your tire size doesn't affect the measurement. Better apples to apples comparison across different setups. That measurement is available on here somewhere, I was just looking up the 2nd gen one yesterday.

(2) Negative arch on the stock leaf pack is normal. It'll just keep getting worse with time, until there isn't much space between your bump stop and the frame. The leaf pack these come with will quickly start to sag if used regularly with the load you are hauling. They'll wear out, and that's fine. Just know you'll need to replace them at some point. I think the ICON RXT leaf pack might be worth looking into. I think you can adjust it by adding or removing certain leaves to get the ride height and capacity you are looking for. That'd be another great product to check out on here.

 

I went with Dakar Heavy Duty leaf packs from Old Man Emu on my 2009 (obviously not a 3rd gen, but same idea applies). I have a ~350 lb AT Atlas pop-up topper and a ~50 lb drawer that live on/in my truck bed 24/7/365. This truck is 90% used for backcountry camping, mountain bike road trips, etc, so I am not too worried about unloaded ride quality around town and such. I am typically right around GVWR when fully loaded out for a trip.

I first tried just an add-a-leaf on the stock leaf pack, but it wasn't enough. Very happy with my Dakar leaf packs. There are other more expensive and more custom options, but this one hit the right blend of quality/price for me. Since the extra weight I added is nearly permanent, a heavy duty leaf pack made more sense than airbags for me.

As others have said, you can upgrade your truck's suspension, brakes, etc to make it handle extra weight better, but you cannot legally adjust Toyota's rated GVWR. In rare (but real) circumstances, you could face extra liability if you cause an accident and can be proven to be over your GVWR.

 

Thanks for the info. This helps alot.

 

I like this idea, too. Thanks for sharing your experience. Yeah, looks like I'll need a good set of leaf packs at some point. For now, I'll leave as is until it breaks or looks ugly. I'm sure Toyota has put some engineering into it and hoping that the leafpack would survive. LOL

It's possible you could get in legal trouble, but the the offroad/overland community don't seem to care. Look at all the youtube videos flexing their gears on Tacomas. Unless I am bad at math, they all exceed payload.

 

I'm pretty sure Toyota engineering built these trucks expecting it to haul 400 pounds in the bed 2 times a year, lol, and nothing but people in the cab the rest of the time! It is geared towards passenger comfort, not load hauling.