Best way to adapt truck for carrying heavy loads?

[dfout]

I'm just starting to outfit my 2003 Toyota Tundra with camping gear, and already I am starting to notice sag in the rear end. (Granted I have a 2.5" leveling kit in the front)
What is the best way to go about getting my truck to sit level again? What would be the best option for adapting my truck to hold the weight of all the camping gear?
I have seen a bunch of stuff out there, I just have no idea where to start.
I plan on putting a RTT on the back, and already have an extensive drawer storage system that weighs quite a bit.

 

[quickfarms]

The springs on vehicles compress when the weight is increased. Pickup trucks sit tail high until they are loaded then they should be level.

You should remove the leveling kit. We do not use leveling kits on work trucks.

If the truck is going to loaded all of the time a long add a leaf is a good option.

If the truck is not going to be loaded all of the time air bags are a good option

 

[LR Max]

Buy a bigger truck.

Seriously. If you are maxing out your tundra, go get a 3/4 or 1 ton truck. It'll handle all of the weight better and components won't wear out as quickly.

Or get a trailer. Then get the airbag helper leafs and off ya go.

 

[comptiger5000]

I agree, leveling kits on trucks are dumb. They sit tail high stock specifically so they don't look saggy when loaded up. Everyone above has it pretty well covered for what to do. And realistically, if the truck spends most of it's time with more than 1000 - 1200 lbs in the bed, ditch the 1/2 ton and get a bigger truck. It'll just do the job better.

 

[drewactual]

I'm just starting to outfit my 2003 Toyota Tundra with camping gear, and already I am starting to notice sag in the rear end. (Granted I have a 2.5" leveling kit in the front)
What is the best way to go about getting my truck to sit level again? What would be the best option for adapting my truck to hold the weight of all the camping gear?
I have seen a bunch of stuff out there, I just have no idea where to start.
I plan on putting a RTT on the back, and already have an extensive drawer storage system that weighs quite a bit.

dang, man....

I'll try to respond to your concerns...

2003 Tundra, leveling kit, sagging rear springs (leaf springs?).... I'm assuming you don't carry weight often enough to warrant a 3/4 ton... Leaves get tired, and make that W shape, and sometimes that has little to do with how they were used but instead because of how they were made. I've had springs lose shape on a truck that rarely saw more than a couple hundred pounds in the bed... it happens.

buy new springs. superlift make a nice set that has a progressive ramp (as most do) but the first couple of inches are a nice linear push... that is the proper way to get your attitude right again- new springs..

work arounds venture from good to bad as you'd imagine... good ones are add-a-leaf's... bad ones are blocks. airbags will certainly help while you're carrying loads, and help manage the load, but isn't going to help you raise the ******** back up on an unloaded truck- using them that way is outside of their design envelope...

the only way to do it properly is replace the leaf packs. you can do it in a hour or so if you soak the bolts a day or so prior with liquid wrench or something equiv.

 

[kmlacroix]

Remove the leveling kit, replace the springs on all 4 corners. If you need more clearance add a proper lift. If you need more load, you need a bigger truck.

 

[p nut]

What's the combined weight of all you're putting in the bed? What's the payload for your truck? Be careful not to overload your truck, for safety and other reasons. I have a 1/2 ton as well, and with a ~1500lb payload capacity, I have to be careful what I load for extended trips, especially if I will be towing a trailer.

I think all others have already voiced good suggestions: new springs, add-a-leaf, airbags.

 

[kmlacroix]

Payload is often calculated, by the manufacturer, from the base unit, full fluids. Options, passengers, etc subtract from that. Remember weight is not equal on a vehicle. You have GVW, Payload, and axle loads.

 

[dfout]

Thanks y'all, these have been good suggestion.
p nut
I am fairly certain that the 03 SR5 Tundra has a payload of just under 1500. Currently, I think i have about 200 pounds (constantly) in the back. Adding a tent and the rack to put it on, will bump it up to around 500. Hopefully that is all that I will end up carrying on a daily basis, but for some camping trips it might start to push the 800 mark, no more.
kmlacroix
The leveling kit was installed when I was in high school, and I am agreed that it needs to go. I would like to look into a proper lift, as Im putting larger tires on it this summer. Hopefully I don't need any more load, other wise I just have to much stuff.

As for getting a new truck, slightly out of the option, although believe me I wish I could get one.

Everyone else
So in summary, it kinda sounds like this is what I need to do:
1. Ditch the leveling kit, get a proper lift if I still want a slightly higher ride
2. Replace my springs, or add a add-a-leaf, that can handle the added load that will constantly be riding around in the back of the truck
3. Probably should consolidate and reconsider everything that I am putting in the back of the truck.

 

[p nut]

My truck (Ford) has a sticker in the door jamb that specifically states the payload for my particular truck. From what I've seen, this can vary greatly between trim levels. Some have 2k lb, while others are barely into the 1k's. Remember to count passenger weight as well.

 

[comptiger5000]

Sounds like the Tundra should be plenty of truck for what you're carrying then. I'd worry about ditching the leveling kit, making sure you have good springs in there and lift it if you need the extra clearance.

 

[anickode]

My Colorado was sagging in the back... they're notorious for that. I carry about 400lbs of tools and equipment in the back on a daily basis for work. I ended up finding a set of heavier springs that were dimensionally the same (K5 blazer spring is a perfect for Chevy Colorado). It wound up giving me about 2" of lift over the stock empty ride height. Looks great, handles great, doesn't sag... I'm very happy with the result.

 

[tgreening]

I'm going to buck the trend, because I dislike an ******** high truck. I like a level truck, always. Unless your rear springs are shagged out, I say leave them. It sounds like your payload is going to be well within specs for your truck, so no rear springs needed unless as mentioned, they're on their way out anyway. Leave the leveling kit. Bear in mind that if you are going for a "real" lift in the future, say 4" as an example, you'll likely only get 4" up front and somewhere around 2" in he rear anyway. IOW, a taller leveling kit.

Anyway, leave it as is and slap some bags back there. They'll take up whatever sag you might get while loaded, and be invisible once you remove the load. A plus is it won't matter what your load is, you can always have a level truck. Springs won't get that for you. You will start out ******** high, hopefully hit level at your preferred load, and continue to sag past that if you have the need to add additional load.

My last truck sat level if it was empty or had 5k in the bed. It would auto level matter what. Shoot, it would bleed air as I burned fuel out of the tank, just to stay level.

 

[dfout]

tgreening
I have glanced at air bags, but Ive always wondered how durable they are. My truck is a few miles shy of 200,000, and a lot of those were hard, loaded down miles (my dad bought it new and always have weight in the back). The springs are not terrible, but they are definitely on their way out.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

You adapt it the same way you would any other truck, by using the appropriate springs and shocks....