Increase towing capacity by upgrading rear suspension and brakes?

I have a 2012 5.7 Tundra. Is it possible to increase the towing capacity by upgrading rear suspension and braking components, etc...? I came across a great deal on a 5th wheel camper rated at 13,960 GVWR and want to know if I can upgrade components to handle the extra weight?

Example. Replace the stock rear leafs with https://ironman4x4america.com/suspe...rings-kit-suited-for-2007-2021-toyota-tundra/

 

nothing you do can increase the manufacturers towing limits. Look for something lighter, man.

 

You don’t have your cab or drive type listed but let’s assume it’s a CM 4wd. You’re likely looking at around 8800-9000# towing capacity with about 1250# payload. A 14,000# 5TH WHEEL trailer will probably have an actual weight of 12-12500# or so. 15% pin weight is pretty standard so let’s say 1750# pin weight in the bed of the truck. That 500# over the recommended payload (before you ever get in with any of your family and gear) and 4,000# over your max towing (which is a farcical spec to begin with due to the payload limitations). These numbers are not 10% out of spec, they are almost 50% out of spec. Just too much trailer for a Tundra. Not to mention the wheelbase of a crewmax 5th wheel towing a challenge.

 

^^^^^
True.

 

The standard answer is no. However I pulled a 26' 12,000lb race car trailer with my 2000 Tundra for years without an issue. With the trailer, the race car, and all the equipment I bet it was over 10k lbs. Weight alone wasn't the only issue. I had about 40 miles of interstate I traveled going each way with two long hills I had to climb. The front of the trailer was flat and once above 50 mph it started to act like an anchor. But the Tundra did it without an issue. Can you do it? Yes, you can pull it. Will you damage your Tundra, not likely. Will it be legal? That's a different question. Is the trailer a 5th wheel? If not a proper weight distribution hitch will probably be needed. How often do you plan on towing it and how far? If it's once or twice a year, and not very far, I probably would try it. If it's across the country every week I would be looking for a 1 ton dually. Even if your Tundra can do it will you feel comfortable doing it?

 

2012 5.7 Crewmax Rock Warrior 4x4.

 

No. That is too heavy for a Tundra.

 

Those are sweet trucks. Most around here think 5500# is the sweet spot for large campers, 99.8% are TT not 5th wheel. only a couple guys I've seen tow 5th wheel with Tundra and every one of them was outside specs. I tow a large TT around 7800#. You feel it back there for sure. Pulls and stops fine with a properly adjusted WDH and trailer brakes. I only tow about 50 miles to the lake and back most times. If it was 6 hours, I'd go smaller trailer or bigger truck to make it less fatiguing.

 

Brother you are in 1-Ton duality range right there.......

 

I believe I'm rated at 10,000lbs. My original question was if I upgrade the rear suspension, brakes, etc... Can I tow it?

 

Why are you choosing to ignore good advice? You got the answer. We're not trying to rain on your parade, but we're not gonna lie to you. For your sake (and others'), don't try to pull a 14k 5th wheel with your truck.

 

Not ignoring anything. Just asking an honest question. I'm not saying towing the 5th wheel with my truck as is. For example if I replace my rear leafs with https://ironman4x4america.com/suspe...rings-kit-suited-for-2007-2021-toyota-tundra/

 

13,900 gross is going to be at least 10,500 empty. Even before figuring hitch weight(just hitch itself) and pin weight you are way out of bounds for any half ton

 

CAN you tow it? Sure, it will pull it.

Can you safely stop it in an emergency situation, or avoid that guy who cuts you off then hits his brakes 'cuz he doesn't want to miss his exit without going into an unrecoverable sway event? Maybe... Maybe not.

Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

And even if you could tow that without potentially endangering yourself and those around you, it would not be a fun or relaxing tow.

Suspension mods, etc. might help you better handle a heavy load, but there is nothing you can do that increases your towing capacity.

I'm gonna' go with the short answer... No.

 

Every answer is not based on the question I asked. The answers are based on my Tundra "as is".. Example. Replace the stock rear leafs with https://ironman4x4america.com/suspe...rings-kit-suited-for-2007-2021-toyota-tundra/

 

You’d probably shorten your tranny’s life as well.

 

I push the limits with my camper... I wouldn't even think of towing that...

As for building one to tow it... I just don't see it happening...

 

Actually they are based on exactly the question you asked.

You asked "Is it possible to increase the towing capacity...?" The answer to that is no, it is not possible to increase towing capacity.

The towing capacity of your Tundra "as is" is exactly the same as the towing capacity of your Tundra no matter what you do to it.

Towing capacity doesn't increase, ever. (Caveat: It seems like I've heard there are ways to get it increased in FL based on specific modifications which then need to be inspected, approved, and signed off by DOT and DMV to get an official new sticker.)

I know it's not the answer you're hoping for, but that's just way too much trailer.

 

I tow a 7000 lb trailer and have done a few truck upgrades over the years. My original response of “no” still applies but here is more context.

If you add air bags and update the rear leaf springs, you will flatten out the sag in the suspension from the extra weight of the fifth wheel. You can get it to look flat for about $1500. That’s about $500 for the airbag kit and $1000 for new springs and shackles. With that you could add an extra 1000 lbs to the bed and your truck will look flat.

Then you could replace your front coilovers with a higher spring rate. That will help the overall load.

For brakes, there are kits and options available but they are more performance focused vs towing in my opinion. The cost benefit isn’t strong enough in my opinion.

However, even with modifications like this you aren’t really adding capacity to the truck. If we were talking about the high end of the max towing range they would assist. Unfortunately the numbers you are talking about are just too high. The frame is still a C-channel and has its limits. The axles still have maximum capacities. You’re going to be too far beyond the capabilities even if you modify the truck.

 

So looking at the heavy duty spring in your link... Your only gaining 880 lbs max of payload... I don't see where that added to the trucks original payload is gonna add up to the weight you want to pull... That's why I said above... "I don't see it happening"

 

That is definitely a LOT for a Tundra. That said, I dragged an 8-1/2x32', 10K+lb bumper-pull toy hauler full-time, all over the western US (mountains) for two years. My GCWR was just below 17K (scaled) and the truck never so much as sneezed. Still pulling my new 8K toy hauler just fine to this day.

Purely my own opinion, but if you could come up with a beefier rear suspension, I honestly think the drive train would handle it. Toyota intentionally overbuilt the 2nd gen Tundra to try to compete with domestic brands' larger units. As for beefing-up the rear, my only question would be if the cost of doing that would wipe out the savings on the trailer. ??

 

The spring upgrade is an example. But essentially it all would need to be done. Brakes, etc...

 

I need to replace my rear springs as one is broken. Only reason I'm exploring the option.

 

In my belief... Stronger leaf springs makes for a much stiffer ride when empty...

I know this is apples to oranges... I see your example spring is dual/double action... I did this on my golf cart for carrying people on the back seat... But when empty (by myself) it's a much stiffer/harder ride than what the stock springs were...

 

So Essentially what I'm trying to figure out is since I need to replace my rear leafs, will it benefit me in towing by going to a beefier spring? If not I'll just replace to stock and save the money.

 

Wow! Anything over the GCWR is illegal. Anything that leads to an accident while you’re over the GCWR, will be on your dime as any insurance company will void your policy. Is it really worth the risk to losing everything?

 

If the modifications add weight to your truck the payload is decreased. If the modifications decrease the weight of your truck the payload is increased. Hope that helps.

 

It's absolutely possible. Not advised, but you could potentially do things to make it easier on your truck.
I highly recommend against it though. God forbid, if you're ever in an accident and towing a trailer that heavy with a Tundra you could get sued to oblivion and back. I'm talking about life ruining debt in the millions, and insurance will hold you liable for knowingly towing an unsafe amount of weight.

 

Have you factored in payload of your truck or just looking at its tow ratings?

 

No man. I understand you really want it to work, but the answer is no