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Topic ClosedJust bought a 2018 179 - towing issue

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HillbillyMedic View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Just bought a 2018 179 - towing issue
    Posted: 19 Mar 2021 at 9:12pm
2018 179 towing with my 2015 Tacoma Sport.

I think I need to beef up my suspension.  

Anyone have any experience doing so?
Be careful.
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Mar 2021 at 10:04pm
Check out SumoSprings. I added a set to the rear suspension in our Frontier and they make a big difference. I don't know about the Tacoma, but on the Frontier, they just replaced the stock bump stops on the rear leaf springs. I started with the blue ones and changed to the black ones because I needed a bit more firmness. They were the right choice for me. I did not get them for the front, but I should probably do so.


You could also check out the SuperSprings.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Mar 2021 at 2:28am
Do you already use a weight distribution hitch? If not then I’d recommend getting that set up first and see if that resolves your concerns with your Taco.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Mar 2021 at 8:44am
With my older Frontier, the leaf springs in the back seemed to be too soft, even with a WD/sway control hitch (Hensley Cub). The SumoSprings made a big difference.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Mar 2021 at 10:03am
I’m not suggesting that suspension mods aren’t necessary in some cases, just that the wdh should be done first. The reason is that it reduces the load on the TV rear axle, suspension mods don’t help with that. Once the wdh is done if the rear suspension still feels too soft then is the time to stiffen it. Suspension mods come with a downside, which is a less conforming ride when not towing. You’re modifying the manufacturer’s carefully engineered suspension system after all.

In my case my Highlander feels like it needs a stiffer rear suspension when towing without the wdh tensioned, with the wdh properly tensioned its fine and the nice comfortable ride Toyota is still there when not towing.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Mar 2021 at 10:53am
In my case, the SumoSprings help even when we are not towing. When we hit a bump before, the suspension would bottom out against the bump stop. The SumoSprings make for a much better ride and better handling. As for the Tacoma, that is, as you say, situation dependent. I agree that WDH should be first and Sumo/SuperSprings if still needed.
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mjlrpod View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Mar 2021 at 1:00pm
I run only WDH on my frontier, and I think that would be the best place to start. 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 Mar 2021 at 6:54pm
I did what StephenH did. Black sumosprings on the 2017 Tacoma TRD off road along with my WDH on our 179. Still use them with the 195.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Mar 2021 at 6:34am
If you are unhappy with the ride on your vehicle when not towing by all means make the mods that you want to do to improve that.

But if you’re considering doing that just for towing then it’s possible that you need more tension on your wdh. Without tensioning my wdh my rear axle load increases by about 750 lbs (my tongue weight is 500 lbs) when I connect the trailer. After tensioning it I cut that in half, to about 380 lbs, with about 250 lbs getting redistributed to the front axle (putting its load slightly higher than it was without the trailer), and about 120 to the trailer axle. I know the additional 380 lbs is there but it’s not a big deal, the 750 lbs really felt and looked squirrelly.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Mar 2021 at 7:41am
I ran a Taco and had no issues with weight. I actually removed the WDH and it ran better overall (sway bar only). It really does come down to how you load 'both' your trailer and truck. 

I took it to an extreme and built a spreadsheet (with some help to get it right). May seem overly done, yet the result was the removal of the WDH and a level truck.

I put close to 18K miles traveling the US and Canada in all types of terrain.



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