2020 Tow Ratings?

From looking at the maximum tow ratings I am a little confused. Looking at 4wd crewmax only (since that is what I have), the SR5 is rated at 9,800 lbs and the Platinum is rated at 8,800 lbs.

Does anyone know why there is such a hit for every trim above the SR5?

 

The different options weigh more .

 

Seat coolers weigh a lot

 

Forget max towing, watch your payload.

 

With the lightest Tundra (double cab 2WD) you get "X" tow rating. Add any weight (crew cab, 4WD, fancy options) you subtract that from "X" .

 

I get that extra options and weight would lower the tow rating.

Comparing the same cab and drivetrain, you lose 1000lbs going from the SR5 to the Limited (so it can’t be the seat coolers......lmao.) There must be something significantly different to cause this kind of decrease in tow rating.

 

Agree hard to believe there is a 1000#s of upgrades on any trim above SR5

 

And then you pick up 400lbs from the limited and above (9200lbs) with the TRD Pro? Just doesn’t make sense to me.

 

Tire’s, wheel’s(20”) and larger fuel tank and crew max cab, spray in bed liner etc. add weight. Maybe not 1000lbs but Toyota has to cover their liability.

 

Tires and wheels may account for a little but the TRD Pro has the larger fuel tank and you can get the spray in bed liner on the SR5.

 

I know what it is.

1. Limiteds cost more money
2. More money -> those buying it are wealthier.
3. Wealthier people -> must work more
4. More work -> less working out
5. Less working out -> fatter
6. Fatter -> Subtracts from tow rating.

Glad I could help you out.

 

Slightly amusing but not very helpful.

 

Yeah, but you laughed, so hey. *shrug*

On a serious note, I did find this thread: https://www.tundras.com/threads/tow-capacity-differences-b-w-2019-limited-and-sr5.45400/

It didn't resolve anything either; the consensus seemed to be "yeah some differences between materials and the like, but not 1000# worth of differences."

If I had to make a SWAG (scientific wild-@ss guess), I'd say that's simply Toyota playing it safe. In comparison to my older truck (2013 F150), the Tundra has 20 more HP/TQ (385HP/401TQ vs 365HP/385TQ) and better gearing (4.30 gears vs. 3.31), and yet the F150 is rated to tow 12.9K?

I'm not buying it. While this is simply my opinion, I think the difference is simply that Toyota is simply playing it safe - overly safe in some cases -by actually basing things like MPG and tow ratings on what the truck can always 'safely' handle, vs trying to 'be the best.' I've towed the exact same trailers/campers with my Tundra, and it's FAR more capable than my F150 was for damn sure. The only time I EVER got max mileage in my old F150 was downhill or flat with the wind at my back (and I'm not exaggerating at all); whereas I get exactly what the Tundra advertises around town vs highway.

 

This makes sense to me.

 

You make good points about the drivetrain but that's only one factor in the equation. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong but my recollection/ understanding is:

Ignoring all other factors (e.g. payload vs tongue weight), towing capacity = GCWR - GVWR.

So if the F150 has a higher GCWR due to heavier duty frame or suspension, it can have a higher towing capacity, figuring that the typical GVWR is probably similar to the Tundra's 7200 lbs.

 

That totally makes sense....but I had the standard F150, with an aux tranny cooler. I have a tough time believing that an aux tranny cooler and a stiffer frame on a 1/2 ton truck equates to a 3000# difference in towing.