Possible Tundra Bed Bounce CURE FOUND

[rackman]

I am a first time Toyota owner and have owned an '07 Crew Max SR5 with the TRD package since March 2007. I live in New Jersey and have the bed 'shake'. I met with a factory rep. last week and took him for a drive. He explained to me that the rear portion of the frame is designed to flex to improve ride quality. Toyota's position is that there is no need for a correction as this is not a problem. However, this does not mean there would not be a recall in the future. I am a lifelong GM owner and do not understand why Toyota would design a frame that flexes, when my '01 and '03 Chevy HD's had stable beds/ frames and smooth rides for large trucks.

I tried installing a pair of Rancho RS9000XL adjustable shocks on the rear and although there seemed to be a slight improvement with a softer setting, it did not correct the problem. I now have some reservations about my switch to Toyota. As I told the rep. when it comes time to buy a new truck one of my considerations will be do I want a truck with a stable bed or a flexy one? Tundra sales will probably be affected somewhat if Toyota does not acknowledge and address this issue.

Based on what I have read and heard so far I think welding the cross members and perhaps adding tubular cross supports may be the only cure.

[DanielAcosta]

I have changed rear shocks as well as the rake on my truck. Today I am trying different tires as well as a different, heavier spare that I hope will emulate the foam spacer someone else reported as curing the bounce. Will be trying the SoCal freeways in a couple weeks and will report back.

[Griffy]

Originally Posted by moto22

I think some guys are referring to different things here. From where I sit there are 2 issues - and this is how I have termed them:

1. "Bed Bounce" - meaning the bed shakes back and forth and the suspension begin a harmonic oscillation that occurs on evenly spaced concrete road expansion joints. This results in a herky-jerky ride that is, from reports, extremely annoying. I have not felt this yet but have not been on a road that would cause it. Obviously all beds have some independent movement between the cab and bed - but the inability of the chassis to handle spaced bumps without doing the pogo pogo is a problem.

2. "Chassis Harmonic" - This is the one I feel - which is a vibration that reverberates through the chassis AFTER a single bump has been absorbed by the suspension. This, to me, feels like a shock that has lost its rebound control - though I know that is probably not the cause.

Interestingly enough, every truck I've owned or driven regularly has done both of those is varying degrees (worse in the 3/4 tons). My last personally owned truck was an '03 F150 SuperCrew, which did the same kind of things. I was able to tone it down a bit by installing some RMX Monotubes from Les Schwab. I did not expect it to go away completely, but the ride did improve.

I think a lot of the issue is that many Tundra owners just dont have a lot of experience with large trucks, particularly 3/4 ton type trucks (which the Tundra resembles a little more than the typical 1/2 ton). As a result, the reaction from the Tundra seems out-of-whack to them.

It IS a large truck, with a typical large truck frame (unlike the current F150 or Silverado). Its not going to act like a car or even an SUV in most situations. To expect it to, isnt all that reasonable. Load your truck up with cargo/trailer, and it acts exactly the way it should.

[frankg]

I live in southern CA in the Palm Springs area. The worst part of I-10 is in the Banning / Beaumont area. I drive it on a regular basis. Lanes 1&2 (left side) are the bad lanes. Lanes 3&4 (right side) where the semi's roll are fine.

I have owned many dozen's of trucks over the years. Currently I own 04 ec/sb duramax, 05 rc/lb duramax, 91 chevy 2500 rc/lb and 08 Tundra 5.7 rc/sb.

In this section of I-10 all these trucks will suffer from this bounce. I won't call it BED bounce because the whole truck will experience it. Some trucks are worse than others, all depending on wheelbass, weight and design. My Tundra is easily the worst in this regard. When driving on this stretch of interstate by myself, the passenger seat will be shaking so bad you'd think it would break off it's mounts. Believe me, it's really bad.

On the other hand, on most roads this truck rides like a Mercedes. Firm but smooth. I added a TRD rear sway bar and it seemed to help but it's still pretty bad. It's obvious that there is a problem here.

Having said that, I love this truck and am willing to be stuck behind the semi's when driving this road. When there is a fix I will be one of the first to jump on it. If anyone finds it, please keep us informed.

[jarheadfor4]

I drive a section of I-44 in Missouri and it is driving me nuts. My truck drives like a champ and very comfortable except for the concrete sections of highways.

I love my Tundra, but it is embarrassing when it shakes that bad and honestly, it makes my stomach sick.

I've ridden in every vehicle known to man and the shakes on the concrete sections are out of control.

[Skyler]

I live in Southern Cali and have had to deal with the nightmare vibrations too. I would try putting about some weight ( 200-300lbs.) in the bed near the tailgate for about 3-4 months while you're breaking it in and see if it mellows out. I had some polymer shackles installed and it helped somewhat but a bit pricey @ $479.00, but a noticeable difference. IMO try the weight in the back first for a few 1k miles and I think you'll notice a difference.

[Art64]

There is really no fix for this unless you modify your rear suspension. If you loaded your truck with 500 lbs on the bed, it will ride smoother on these roads. I've already replaced the stock shocks, installed sway bar, installed Class V hitch (SAP), replaced the overload springs with a 3-leaf mini pak. They do help a lot in cushioning the vibes. This week I ordered Alcan leaf springs to replace the factory springs. The springs will ride soft. I'm also going to install Firestone air bags for heavy loads. Hopefully this mod will finally end the bounce, vibes issues for empty truck. Costs a lot of money, but its worth it since I'm keeping the truck for a long time. Customized suspension.

[can't stop spinning]

I just picked up my 08 dc 4x4 yesterday morning, and the bed shakes like crazy. The roads where I live suck, and have lots of rough joints/cracks in them. You can see the bed shake everytime you hit a joint. About 1/2 the bumps cause the box to shake the cab of the truck. It's very easy to see the bed still shaking or vibrating even after the bump.

I've never driven another 1/2 ton on these sections of roads before, but I have driven 3/4 and 1 tons, and they all feel a lot more solid, and don't shake like my Tundra. My Dad's 96 Dodge w/ almost 300k on it feels more solid on these joints then my brand new truck. It's rather disappointing after spending 40k on a truck to have this happen.

[steelpony5555]

also, all trucks that are in two pieces (i.e. not avalanches, el caminos etc) have parts of the body that move independently from one another. its a fact of life. if you guys think this so called "bed bounce" is an issue, try driving in an 80s or even older pickup. the beds werent even lined up when parked most of the time. things have improved tremendiously over the years but some people just cannot accept a truck is a truck and the bed wiggles. who cares

.
Ditto---over the past 10-15 years or so the big 3 started catering to the women and now the suspenions on their 1/2 tons is no different the a full size sedan. Drive a 1/2 ton chevy with a load in its bed and feel how mushy it feels---just like an old station wagon--but they had to please the little women--and if women had to drive an 80's or later pickup they would not have the sales of 1/2 tons they have now--they now build them as the family vehicle---a truck is built to give it's best ride with at least 1/2 of their max weight on-I said a "truck" now--if you want the car like ride them buy a big 3--Tundra is a truck and over bumps the bed is gonna bounce and if there's lots of bumps it's gonna be a basketball---You guys in Ca. dont know what bumps are till you get to Pa. or N.Y. --we got bumps you could lose your mother in law in---this truck does have a stiff suspension just go to a chevy ford lot and jump on the rear bumper and then jump on a Tundras and then tell me it's not stiff--Japan built it as a truck and a dang fine truck it is..

[dafoot]

I am glad this issue continues to be on this site. Toyota reads this site. They need to be reminded this problem has not gone away. I live in ND. My 07 bounced like craze over a certain part of I94. My 08 is the same way. It's my belief their is a design flaw that Toyota needs to correct.

[GMoney749]

Originally Posted by steelpony5555

.
Ditto---over the past 10-15 years or so the big 3 started catering to the women and now the suspenions on their 1/2 tons is no different the a full size sedan. Drive a 1/2 ton chevy with a load in its bed and feel how mushy it feels---just like an old station wagon--but they had to please the little women--and if women had to drive an 80's or later pickup they would not have the sales of 1/2 tons they have now--they now build them as the family vehicle---a truck is built to give it's best ride with at least 1/2 of their max weight on-I said a "truck" now--if you want the car like ride them buy a big 3--Tundra is a truck and over bumps the bed is gonna bounce and if there's lots of bumps it's gonna be a basketball---You guys in Ca. dont know what bumps are till you get to Pa. or N.Y. --we got bumps you could lose your mother in law in---this truck does have a stiff suspension just go to a chevy ford lot and jump on the rear bumper and then jump on a Tundras and then tell me it's not stiff--Japan built it as a truck and a dang fine truck it is..

Amen.

[Griffy]

Originally Posted by steelpony5555

.
Ditto---over the past 10-15 years or so the big 3 started catering to the women and now the suspenions on their 1/2 tons is no different the a full size sedan. Drive a 1/2 ton chevy with a load in its bed and feel how mushy it feels---just like an old station wagon--but they had to please the little women--and if women had to drive an 80's or later pickup they would not have the sales of 1/2 tons they have now--they now build them as the family vehicle---a truck is built to give it's best ride with at least 1/2 of their max weight on-I said a "truck" now--if you want the car like ride them buy a big 3--Tundra is a truck and over bumps the bed is gonna bounce and if there's lots of bumps it's gonna be a basketball---You guys in Ca. dont know what bumps are till you get to Pa. or N.Y. --we got bumps you could lose your mother in law in---this truck does have a stiff suspension just go to a chevy ford lot and jump on the rear bumper and then jump on a Tundras and then tell me it's not stiff--Japan built it as a truck and a dang fine truck it is..

Indeed.

[TUNDRA-ID]

It has been mentioned before, the road condition will have an effect on the ride of the vehicle. Some vehicle will handle it a little better than the other on certain road conditions. The Tundra handles very well overall. I've been driving the same freeway to work 5 days a week for the last 10+ years. I driveway about 6 miles of freeway and 2 miles of it has older concrete that will cause any vehicle to feel the "bounce". As I remember the Tundra does not bounce any worse than my last 2 pickups (2002 GMC crewcab, 2005 Nissan Titan), but maybe just a tad stiffer.
My brother-in-law borrow my pickup a couple weeks ago and he gave me his 2007 Ford Expedition to drive to work. It bounces also on the 2 mile stretch of the old concrete freeway. No as bad, but noticeable. The Tundra is best pickup I've owned so far and I've owned several pickup trucks since 1992.

[TOMMYDAWGG76]

???????

[GraetWhyte]

Maybe this is really a banging on the bed from the spare. Maybe it just needs to be tightened. After I installed the spare lock I noticed that I may have not gotten it as snug as it is from the factory so every now & then I get a thump on the bed from the spare area.