What's amazing is that Toyota hasn't released a fix for this problem. Tundra owners who have trucks with this issue have no solution from the manufacturer or aftermarket manufacturers.
The problem isn't the roads, potholes, or drivers who expect the truck to ride like a car. The bouncing occurs on roadways with consistently placed expansion joints that cause a resonating bounce in the rear end. Tundra trucks that have bed bounce shake the crap out of their passengers. The bouncing isn't subtle or intermittent. It is so obnoxious and perturbing that I can't believe the media hasn't picked up on it yet.
The problem isn't the roads, potholes, or drivers who expect the truck to ride like a car. The bouncing occurs on roadways with consistently placed expansion joints that cause a resonating bounce in the rear end. Tundra trucks that have bed bounce shake the crap out of their passengers. The bouncing isn't subtle or intermittent. It is so obnoxious and perturbing that I can't believe the media hasn't picked up on it yet.
I have never experienced bed bounce with my Tundra on highways with "consistently placed expansion joints". And I have travelled through several states that have concrete slab highways with "consistently placed expansion joints". However, in your great State of Colorado I have experienced terrible bed bounce on highways that have consistently placed deteriorated and worn expansion joints. That, IMO, is not a truck problem but a failure of the Government to ensure that highways are properly maintained.
The old adage: "The squeeky wheel gets the grease" is a fact and it does work. Get everybody you can to start writing letters to the appropriate government department. Headlines in the newspaper along with letters to the editor helps too.
Stuball
__________________
2008 CrewMax Limited 2WD, Salsa Red Pearl w/Biege Int., 5.7 Eng., Moonroof, Nav/Cam, XM Radio, Remote Start, Running Brds with Foot Lamps, Woodgrain Trim, Billet Grill, 3M protection, Weathertechs, Bedrug, A.R.E. LSII Tonneau Cover, Air Lift suspension and using Amsoil.
I have never experienced bed bounce with my Tundra on highways with "consistently placed expansion joints". And I have travelled through several states that have concrete slab highways with "consistently placed expansion joints". However, in your great State of Colorado I have experienced terrible bed bounce on highways that have consistently placed deteriorated and worn expansion joints. That, IMO, is not a truck problem but a failure of the Government to ensure that highways are properly maintained.
The old adage: "The squeeky wheel gets the grease" is a fact and it does work. Get everybody you can to start writing letters to the appropriate government department. Headlines in the newspaper along with letters to the editor helps too.
Stuball
yup. we have "consistently placed expansion joints" in texas too and no bed bounce (who thought up that term anyway). crappy roads lead to crappy rides. now, this thread really should die.
What's amazing is that Toyota hasn't released a fix for this problem. Tundra owners who have trucks with this issue have no solution from the manufacturer or aftermarket manufacturers.
The problem isn't the roads, potholes, or drivers who expect the truck to ride like a car. The bouncing occurs on roadways with consistently placed expansion joints that cause a resonating bounce in the rear end.
I'm not sure there will ever be a fix for the problem - as the problem isn't limited to Tundras. There are actually quite a few cars and trucks that will oscillate wildly on concrete roadways, at certain speeds. Tundras are not the only vehicle to do so.
The problem is actually the concrete road - and it doesn't usually matter whether it is new or old. I first noticed the problem some 25 or 30 years ago on a long stretch of brand new concrete interstate going North of Great Falls, MT. In a 1971 GMC heavy half van the oscillations were so bad my teeth were rattling. The only solution was to drive that stretch of road at 90 mph - which I didn't mind doing anyway. A Suburban I had later would do it also - but the speed range for the oscillations was different. If I wanted to keep the kids awake I'd find the max oscillation point and have their heads bobbing all over the place. I've been in other vehicles that have done it also.
So the problem is not new, and Tundras are hardly the only vehicle to do so.
Now, having said that, this week I did drive a fairly new chunk of concrete road just out of town with my (new this week) 08 DC SR5 TRD. Yes, it oscillates at certain speeds. If I had to drive all concrete like some of you guys in Cali I might be a bit hot about it too. As it was, I just adjusted my speed to eliminate the oscillations.
The cause of the problem is the concrete surface. I don't think it's the expansion joints that cause it. I believe it is because it isn't flat and uniform. The equipment they place the concrete with causes the surface to lump or cup near the expansion joints. Consequently, as you drive down the road, the vehicle is driving up and down a series of regular bumps and cups, up and down, at high speed. Just like wash-board, if you find the right (wrong) speed, the vehicle oscillates like crazy. The difference with the concrete is the bumps are farther apart - a stretched-out wash-board if you will. It just feels a bit different because the bumps are farther apart and the traveled speed is higher.
The best fix for the problem? Probably random placing of the expansion strips in the concrete roadways - instead of the measured same spacing. That might eliminate the harmonic oscillation.
Can Toyota design and implement a fix that will cure the Tundra at all speeds? Might be tough, given the cause of the problem.
Toyota Motor Corp. can fix the problem by installing softer leaf springs but that will clearly lower the load capacity of the bed and costs around $1500.00. Toyota doesn't even want to do this because, if they install one, they must change out all tundra's...can you imagine the price of that? Toyota should do something to cure this problem if they stand by their product, if not I say the hell with them....last Toyota I buy and will steer any friend/family member away from any car toyota has to offer. So far , I have had polymer shackles installed and it did help somewhat, but still had to put about 200 lbs. in the bed to keep the shaking/bouncing down to a minimum, not sure if its worth it to spend anymore $$ on my own, will never be able to recoop the cost since people have stopped buying the tundra now, Toyota can't even get rid of the 07's and they're knocking off huge amounts on the 08's hahaha...good for you Toyota, close down another Tundra or step up and fix your engineers f ups. Sorry if i'm "hatin" but those of you who don't have the bounce or vibrations, you just don't know how annoying it is. THIS IS A LEGITIMATE THREAD!!!!! it needs to keep going since Toyota does look at this site. If someone does find a cheap cure PLEASE let us know.
Last edited by The Phoenix; 03-15-2008 at 08:37 AM.
Welp, you tried the "truck" thing and it doesn't seem to suit you, maybe it's time to go on back to driving a car.
Lower the payload?
Softer springs?
Are you ficken kidding me?
If you aren't going to use the truck as a truck, here's a novel idea...
Don't own one or you should pay for the modifications it takes to make it ride like your old car.
ROTFLMAO
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Welp, you tried the "truck" thing and it doesn't seem to suit you, maybe it's time to go on back to driving a car.
Lower the payload?
Softer springs?
Are you ficken kidding me?
If you aren't going to use the truck as a truck, here's a novel idea...
Don't own one or you should pay for the modifications it takes to make it ride like your old car.
Sadly, you just pin-pointed 90% of the 'problem'.
The other 10% is to account for random variations in the universe
I'm getting really sick of all the people on here saying the bed bounce does not exist. If you haven't experienced it, then how do you know it isn't there? That's just plain stupid. If everyone had that attitude, we'd still be living in caves. Not to insult anyone, but I feel insulted when I read all the posts discounting what some (like me) HAVE experienced. And I have experienced it right along side a f-150 that wasn't bouncing (and don't give me that go buy a ford, or go buy a car it's a truck crap). If we have the technology to put a man on the moon, take off and land on a nuclear powered aircraft carrier, or whatever, then Toyota can fix their design. Maybe the roads are messed up, but Toyota should design a vehicle capable of tackling such roads, like everyone else does. It's a 1/2 ton and should handle like one.
My experience, watching my 1 month old son's head shake wildly back and fourth due to bed bounce. Can you say lawsuit Toyota? I had to slow to about 50mph before it stopped. For those of you in Washington, drive South on I-5 between Mount Vernon and Everett, or North between Mount Vernon and Bellingham and you will experience it. Both have about a 5 mile stretch that create the conditions for this to happen. Truck feels like taxiing a jet with carrier pressurized tires (and if you haven't experienced that, I guess it doesn't exist either). By the way, everywhere else, truck rides smooth as silk!
So for all you "non believers" out there, STOP reading this thread. Do something better with your time, because you have nothing constructive to say. Therefore, I will not respond to any negative comments or go back and forth debating this issue, because it's not up for debate. I know what I, and others have experienced and you don't.
I have been a long time truck owner and first time Toyota owner, used all the trucks more or less lightly. Although there are many things I like about the truck the bed shaking is driving me nuts and, in my opinion, my truck has a problem. My bed shakes excessively at the tailgate and when you go over some bumps you feel an after bump oscillation that allows you to enjoy the feeing of one bump two or three times. If you do not have this problem you are lucky and saying you know more about how my truck rides than I do is not helpful in resolving this problem.
Just look at the Ford video and watch the rear bumper. It '"flexes" along with the bed. Since the bumper is securely mounted to the frame rails, this indicates, conclusively, that the frame is "flexing". Perhaps the reason some people do not experience a problem is that the amount of "flexing" that occurs varies with each truck. I am starting to believe that the only fix is to weld the cross members to the frame rails, install heavier rear springs and maybe add some cross support. Although I am not an engineer, I am a potential (lost?) customer and unlike Toyota I am trying to figure out a cure for the shake and bake bed.
08 DC with TRD. I cant say that I have experienced the "bed bounce" or "boob bounce". This is my first pick up, and my last vehicle was a 04 suburban. I will say that the suburban rode smoother, but the Tundra handles better. Tundra seams a bit stiffer going over bumps or railroad tracks. But I knew going into the Tundra that it would ride a bit stiffer, so I'm ok with it.
But its a truck, if I wanted a smoother ride I would have given more $$$$ to GM.
I love my new toy, no issues, looks good, I think Toyota did a nice job on this truck.
__________________ CBTMA Member, 2008 Tundra DC, SR 5, Salsa Red Pearl, 5.7, Running Boards, Bed Liner, TRD Package,White LED Lights in Interior, Alpine SPS -1752 Speakers, Extang Tonneau
I have been a long time truck owner and first time Toyota owner, used all the trucks more or less lightly. Although there are many things I like about the truck the bed shaking is driving me nuts and, in my opinion, my truck has a problem. My bed shakes excessively at the tailgate and when you go over some bumps you feel an after bump oscillation that allows you to enjoy the feeing of one bump two or three times. If you do not have this problem you are lucky and saying you know more about how my truck rides than I do is not helpful in resolving this problem.
Just look at the Ford video and watch the rear bumper. It '"flexes" along with the bed. Since the bumper is securely mounted to the frame rails, this indicates, conclusively, that the frame is "flexing". Perhaps the reason some people do not experience a problem is that the amount of "flexing" that occurs varies with each truck. I am starting to believe that the only fix is to weld the cross members to the frame rails, install heavier rear springs and maybe add some cross support. Although I am not an engineer, I am a potential (lost?) customer and unlike Toyota I am trying to figure out a cure for the shake and bake bed.
Agree! I have been driving pickups for over 20 years. My 07 had the bounce. The new 08 has the bounce. I test drove other pickups over the same conditions, no bounce. It's my belief Toyota has a design problem that needs to be corrected. The 08 is my 4th Tundra. If Toyota does not take care of the bounce in the 08. Sorry to say, it will be my last Tundra.
...I'm not sure there will ever be a fix for the problem - as the problem isn't limited to Tundras. There are actually quite a few cars and trucks that will oscillate wildly on concrete roadways, at certain speeds. Tundras are not the only vehicle to do so....
...The problem is actually the concrete road - and it doesn't usually matter whether it is new or old. ...
...So the problem is not new, and Tundras are hardly the only vehicle to do so....
...As it was, I just adjusted my speed to eliminate the oscillations....
...The cause of the problem is the concrete surface. ...
...The best fix for the problem? Probably random placing of the expansion strips in the concrete roadways - instead of the measured same spacing. That might eliminate the harmonic oscillation....
You had some good points, I'm going to address them in the order that you brought them up:
You're right, this problem also affects '97 Ford F-150 and some F-350's (that's why the F-350's have a passive dampening system). Great, now I'm comparing my tundra to F-350's <sarcasm>.
The problem ISN'T the concrete roadway. When civil engineers design road surfaces they don't start with "what expansion joint distance is going to cause the least amount of constructive interference in 2007 Toyota Tundras?".
Again, you're right the problem isn't new - I just expected more from Toyota.
Adjusting speeds to compensate for the harmonics is possible, however going above 83 mph or below 55mph (my trucks "sweet spot") in a 70mph zone is not acceptable.
Again, it's not the concrete surface. It's the physical configuration of the truck and suspension.
Lastly, the concrete roadways that cause these problems are less than 5 years old. They are 30 year structures. That means if I went to the highway designer and said "you designed your highway wrong and I think you should spend 40 million replacing a stretch of road that makes my truck bounce unreasonably", he would just laugh at me and probably comment vehicle choice.
By the way, the problem clearly isn't a simple one to fix. I work with someone with the EXACT same truck (07, DC, TRD). His truck doesn't bounce.
The best fix for the problem? Probably random placing of the expansion strips in the concrete roadways - instead of the measured same spacing. That might eliminate the harmonic oscillation.
Exactly my thoughts too. Then, when the edge of the concrete slabs wear down at the expansion joints, at least the harmonics problem would be reduced or eliminated.
Stuball
__________________
2008 CrewMax Limited 2WD, Salsa Red Pearl w/Biege Int., 5.7 Eng., Moonroof, Nav/Cam, XM Radio, Remote Start, Running Brds with Foot Lamps, Woodgrain Trim, Billet Grill, 3M protection, Weathertechs, Bedrug, A.R.E. LSII Tonneau Cover, Air Lift suspension and using Amsoil.
Re: Possible Tundra Bed Bounce CURE FOUND
Re: Possible Tundra Bed Bounce CURE FOUND
CBTMA Member, 2008 Tundra DC, SR 5, Salsa Red Pearl, 5.7, Running Boards, Bed Liner, TRD Package,White LED Lights in Interior, Alpine SPS -1752 Speakers, Extang Tonneau
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