2020 Tacoma and Helper Springs

manyman297

In preparation for our 2021 400 BD's arrival I'm doing some research on helper springs. I know Mandy Lea uses Hellwig helper springs on their Tacoma and I'm also considering Sumo Springs. Does anybody on here have any experience with either? Sumo Springs look easy to install but I don't know if I like the idea of using the frame as a supporting point load while towing. The Hellwig leaf springs look a little harder to install but seem to make sense because you're utilizing the entire leaf pack to carry the load. Thoughts?

Denny16

The truck’s towing receiver is attached to the frame, so the frame is actually pulling the trailer.  The suspension is loaded by the truck cargo (including trailer tongue weight), and the helper springs just keep the back end of the truck from going down past level, to keep weight on the front axle also. The springs are not towing the trailer, the truck frame is.  You can also use air bags in the coil springs to help level the TV up.  You should consult a vehicle suspension specialist or shot that installs towing equipment on trucks to get a better take on which unit is better for your situation.

I had a thenJeep Dealer’s shop replace my rear springs and shocks, with progressive tension springs designed for my truck for towing heavier loads.  Going with a purpose designed solution for towing is always the better option, and not a bandaid (helper spring) approach.
cheers

manyman297

It's not the towing (or pulling) I'm wondering about but more the upward forces Sumo Springs put on the frame. Just seems like helper springs are just making your leaf springs stiffer and not placing loads where they weren't really design to be placed like the Sumo Springs do.

The Hellwig springs, I believe, are progressive tension springs. They're supposed to ride fairly normal without a load but stiffen the leaf pack as weight is applied. Sumo springs are just essentially giant bump stops.

Denny16

Sounds like the Hellwig springs are closer to what I had installed.  Having a normal ride when not hauling or towing is nice.
cheers

GatorEgg

I’ve had 5 personal owner Tacoma’s and 37 company ones.  They notoriously have don’t suspensions.  All except my latest 2019 have had Airlift bags on them.  They worked great. There inflated when you need them, not when you don’t.  This latest truck decided to try something new.  I went with Wheelers 1.5 AAL.  It’s ok but will be going back to Airlifts next.

HuCamp

Have a 2020 Tacoma with 500# Sumo springs. If you have the off-road model, the suspension is designed to be 'soft' so it will squat when loaded (about 2" with my Tab400). The Sumos do not contact the frame when unloaded, so no effect on normal ride. With the Sumos, my TV only squats maybe .5" now. Much more solid ride, much less oscillation.

manyman297

Yeah, I have the off road model and heard about the “soft” suspension. 2” is quite a bit of squat. What year is your Tab? 

HuCamp

Might have only been 1.5" but it was visually "not level" (dipping in the back). My (std) Tab is a 2021 and that was dry-weight (so minimal tongue load).  The Sumos corrected that to my satisfaction. Super easy to install as well with zero maintenance. 

ColoradoSun

HuCamp Sounds like you have found the 500 lbs capacity Sumos to be adequate to level the Tacoma while towing the 2021 T@B 400. I'm considering adding a set.

HuCamp

Right, keep in mind that the carrying capacity of the Taco is less than 1000 lbs total (passengers, cargo, etc), so you really should never be getting close to using 1,000 pound capacity Sumos. 500 should be plenty adequate. 

schatten

I second HuCamp.  Towed 2018 Tab 400 with 2018 Tacoma Sports 4x4 4door with Sumo springs and it drove and towed it nicely.  Highly recommend it.  I found rear suspension to be slightly firmer then before the Sumo without the trailer but it is almost not noticeable. 

4ncar

HuCamp said:

Right, keep in mind that the carrying capacity of the Taco is less than 1000 lbs total (passengers, cargo, etc), so you really should never be getting close to using 1,000 pound capacity Sumos. 500 should be plenty adequate. 

This figure includes tongue weight, so if you have 350-400lbs of tongue weight, plus 300 lbs in Passengers...starting to cut close, which doesn’t surprise me the tail is sagging...

HuCamp

Spot on @4ncar. Now my question is: do you think that cargo weight includes or excludes the fuel weight? Have gotten conflicting messages on that one. 6.3 lbs/gal * 21 gals = 130#!

GatorEgg

HuCamp said:

Spot on @4ncar. Now my question is: do you think that cargo weight includes or excludes the fuel weight? Have gotten conflicting messages on that one. 6.3 lbs/gal * 21 gals = 130#!

Google knows all.

But to answer, it includes a full tank of fuel.

4ncar

@HuCamp: that’s an excellent question. I would guess yes, need to include, but it’s just a guess. I bi5 of research is required 🧐

Bayliss

@HuCamp, and others, I’m no expert on your specific question, but I will take a stab at answering it.

From the research I have done, it appears that the reason there is no clear answer, and so much confusion in getting a straight answer, is that the various sources (including RV owners) use varying or  incorrect terms.  What needs to be determined is the “payload capacity.”

The formula for determining payload capacity is:  Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) - Curb Weight = Payload Capacity.

I have concluded that part of the confusion is that a full tank of gas is included in the “curb weight” (i.e., empty weight) of the tow vehicle.  Thus, it is not included as part of the “payload capacity.”  A simple way of viewing “curb weight” is to think of it as the weight of a vehicle when it leaves the factory, including a full tank of gas and topped-off fluids.  Anything beyond that, such as add-ons/accessories, the driver, passengers and cargo (including trailer tongue weight), will be counted toward the total available payload.

GVWR - This is the maximum amount of weight the vehicle chassis can safely carry/support.  Put another way, it is the maximum total safe weight of your tow vehicle, including the curb weight, the weight of the driver, passengers, fuel, any accessories added to the stock vehicle, and cargo.

CURB WEIGHT - This is how much the tow vehicle weighs when empty, BUT includes a full tank of gas and topped-off fluids.  If it is not included on the manufacturer’s label on your tow vehicle door post or some other source, the best way to determine the curb weight is to weigh the vehicle while empty, with a full tank of gas.

It is important to remember that after determining your tow vehicle’s payload capacity, you need to deduct the “tongue weight” of your trailer (i.e., 10-15% of the combined trailer weight and additional cargo it is carrying) to determine how much payload you have remaining to add to your tow vehicle.

If I am wrong in my conclusions, I am all ears and open to any contrary input.