Will The Roadmaster RoadActive Suspension Enhancement Eliminate The Need For A WDS?

Published 01/24/2023

Question:

I have a 2017 Tundra 4wd and am interested in the RoadActive suspension kit. My 3 questions are, will this be noisy/rattle when unloaded? Will it affect articulation? and will I still need a weight distribution hitch if I add these?

asked by: Jamie

Helpful Expert Reply:

The RoadActive Suspension Custom Leaf Spring Enhancement Kit # RAS34FR for your 2017 Toyota Tundra is an excellent upgrade that will serve you great.

As far as noise goes, you really shouldn't notice any excessive noise or rattling when unloaded. When it comes to articulation however, you will notice there to be a difference if you plan on getting after some more severe off-roading. But, if you are doing some light off-roading or backroad driving you won't notice a difference.

Finally, in regards to a WDS, you should know that these two things provide different functions. A suspension enhancement like the RoadActive Suspension Custom Leaf Spring Enhancement Kit # RAS34FR you're asking about is designed to assist more for loads that are carried in the tow vehicle, and a WDS like Strait-Line Weight Distribution System w/ Sway Control # RP66084 is designed to redistribute tongue weight from a trailer across all the axles of the tow vehicle more evenly.

In a lot of cases a WDS and a suspension enhancement are used together as even when using a WDS there is still some noticeable sagging.

I recommend trying one or the other first and see if the other is needed, however if you wanted to just get both and use both let me know what your trailer's tongue weight is and I'd be happy to help further.

For reference, the Reese Strait-Line mentioned above has a tongue weight range of 600-lbs to 1,200-lbs, so if your trailer's tongue weight is in that range you can use this system.

I have also attached a FAQ on weight distribution hitches for you to check out as well.