2nd Opinion on Truck Squat

[TimberXX]

1. I am buying a new truck. Here are my constraints:

I am between a Toyota Tacoma or a Lexus GX.

I tow a 5,000 lb boat, 5,000lb dump trailer (single axle), and misc dual axle uhaul trailers, about 4000 lbs

I am concerned about the squat on the Lexus GX, can someone give me their thoughts, here is my math

Lexus

• GAWR Rear 3800
• Weight of Truck 5198
• Payload 1315
• Towing Capacity 6500
• Weight Dist Front to Rear 52/ 48

Tacoma

• GAWR Rear 3280
• Weight of Truck 4505
• Payload 1095
• Towing Capacity 6400
• Weight distribution 56/ 44

Lexus Math

• 3800 GAWR Rear
• Subtract weight of truck times weight distribution (0.48) is 2495
• Available rear load 1305 (over the axle, doesn't account for the hitch distance )

Tacoma Math

• 3280 GAWR Rear
• Subtract weight of truck times weight distribution (0.484) is 1982
• Available rear load 1298 (over the axle, doesn't account for the hitch distance )

The rear load on each of these trucks is nearly the same. While the tacoma has leaf springs and the GX has multi link, would you think the truck would squat the same?

 

[Snobdds]

I have a landcruiser and even the bigger platform struggles with towing confidently. I had to tow a side x side back to town for a friend that broke down. Just a small Side x side made the landcruiser squat. The wheelbase was not a good towing length. The engine was fine.

The springs Toyota uses are progressive in nature...meaning as more weight is applied, the stiffer they get. Good for comfort and offroad, but horrible for towing.

When towing, you want suspension and chassis stiffness. If this is just once or twice a year, you'll be ok. If this is all the time, you will not like it.

 

[crashz]

The Tacoma has one clear advantage that I see. The springs can be assisted with air bags to provide more stability and reduced squat. Airbags or other devices may be availible for the Lexus, but likely not as many choices and more expensive.

 

[dfkrug]

The Tacoma has one clear advantage that I see. The springs can be assisted with air bags to provide more stability and reduced squat.

I assume the Taco also has available helper leaf springs, as well as air bags.

Interesting dilemma. I do not think the maker wants US buyers to tow anything. Or carry much of anything in the PU anyway.

I wonder...does the Taco or Lexus offer any kind of wiring help for an electric brake controller? It was a bear installing my controller in my small Taco (2004), and I ended up just hooking up to the brake light for the signal and running a long thick wire for the power.

I tow a 12' bed dually trailer sometimes, and I have certainly overloaded the power of my wimpy V6, which is nothing like the awesome Toyota V6 you get today. I shoot for about 400# weight on the hitch, which does lower the bed somewhat, but it's not bad. My truck (V6 4x4 manual Xtracab) weighs 1000# less than the current Taco, but the payload is 1600#, which is almost 50% higher.

 

[bnold]

Doesn’t the GX have air suspension with auto leveling?

 

[tshep]

As in "Can I get enough squat?"?

 

[bcp]

Sorry, but I can't help. I don't know squat.

Bruce

 

[bnold]

I’d vote the GX will overall handle the load better.

By handle, I mean stability and braking.

The GX is overall a heavier vehicle.

I’ve not towed with a GX (driven one though). I have towed with an older LX 470 and a couple of tacos. The light rear end on the tacos is not pleasant.

5,000# is stretching either one, but for intermittent use would be fine with some care in operation.

 

[TimberXX]

Thanks for all the replys, some good thoughts here.

I have a curt bluetooth brake controller, so the wired controller isn't needed.

the helper bags are a good idea

the base lexus doesn't have the air suspension.

 

[nyone]

Why do you suspect the Lexus is going to squat? Because it dosnt have a pickup bed?

If either one of them squat to much move weight off the tongue some. None of the trailers you mention dont have a load that you can move back/forward.