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Adding Rear Suspension to Toyota Tundra with Weight Distribution System to Reduce Sag  

Question:

This pertains to 2016 Toyota Tundra SR5. I tow a travel trailer. It is about 3500 lbs dry weight. I also use a weight distribution system. I assumed I would always go with the timbren for my vehicle but I have read some of your other posts and how the two can work against each other. Is there anything else I could use with my weight distribution system to avoid/reduce sag.

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Expert Reply:

Before adding any rear suspension enhancements I first recommend making sure that your existing weight distribution system is properly adjusted and rated for your setup. Make sure your total tongue weight (which includes both the loaded tongue weight of the trailer plus any added cargo weight coming from behind the rear axle of your Tundra) falls within the system's operating range.

Typically a properly rated system will get a truck back up to within an inch of stock height at the rear with a trailer attached. If you are within this range I recommend leaving everything as is. This type of sag will not have any effect on the truck's suspension or ride.

If the rear sag is a bit more pronounced on your truck then a rear air spring system will be your best option to bring it back up. Jounce-style springs like the Timbrens that you referenced work great to better support loaded weight but because of their design they will still allow for some sag since there will still be a gap before the axle comes into contact with them.

With an air spring system like the Firestone # F2445, which is what I recommend for your Tundra, you are able to inflate/adjust the bags to bring the rear of the truck back up to stock height when under a load.

The potential for the two systems to work against each other has to do with the adjustments you would need to make on the weight distribution system once the air bags are in place. Because the air springs will work to bring the rear of the truck back to level, you will in turn need to decrease the tension on the weight distribution system. This has the potential to reduce the system's effectiveness when it comes to sway control.

If you are wanting to get back to level then this is your best option but you will just want to be aware of this potential.

expert reply by:
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Chris R

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