Be VERY CAREFUL if you are buying a Tundra for towing

This is my biggest criticism of the 2nd and 3rd gen Tundra. Ford and GM both have half ton 4x4 crew cab trucks with 2k+ lbs of payload. They at least offer an option if you want your non-HD truck to be capable enough to handle heavier loads and tongue weights. Toyota does not.

My truck's GVWR is 7200 lb, but judging by all of the overlanders' rigs that weigh hundreds (and in some cases thousands) of pounds over that just sitting in the driveway, and having no issues for years and years in that configuration, it could easily be 7700 lb. Then I wouldn't be toeing the line being over GVWR on camping trips when my gas tank is full and under when I'm near E. At a GVWR of 7700 lb, I'd still be under the combined gross axle ratings.

I understand that Toyota set the number they did for a reason, but did you know that Toyota raised the hybrid trucks' GVWR substantially to compensate for the weight of the battery pack? Those trucks' GVWR is north of 7700 lb. Seems to me that Toyota has a market opportunity available to them. How many Tundra owners bail for HD trucks? Quite a few, it seems. How many of them would have stayed if their truck had another 700-1000lb of available payload? They could offer a heavy duty payload package. Give us a slightly less comfortable but far more capable option! An iForce Max truck with more rugged suspension in addition to that HD rear axle. Run all the tests. Give it a GVWR of 8400lb. Still a Class 2 truck, and Toyota would likely not lose as many people to HD domestics. Am I way off base here? Is there some other limiting factor for a "half ton" pickup?

 

Good to know thanks

 

The only other thing I can think of is that in my state, they have plate restrictions for GVWR. Over a certain weight, you have to get the vehicle safety lane'd, which can be a hassle. I don't think Toyota would do that considering that is one slice of the demographic, but maybe there is some federal thing that we don't know???

 

And the fuel in the gas tank...

 

Towing and payload are two different things. What is it you are worried about that you needed to start this thread?

 

Watch this video.
https://www.google.com/search?q=Pay...e&ie=UTF-8#kpvalbx=__vNiYvX7BrykptQP5MWWiAE17

 

Toyota Tundra Towing Capacities | Let's Tow That! (letstowthat.com)

 

While they are different, payload can get gobbled up quickly with tongue weight.

 

Absolutely!! I'm just making sure the OP knows the difference.

 

Considering no Tundra ever has exceeded 2,000 payload, I'm gonna go ahead and say that no Tundra has 2,290 payload... So that link is displaying false information.

 

This ^^^^^

If you were so worried about capacity (either hauling or towing) and you do it so often that a couple hundred pounds has you stressed out, I would ask why you even considered a Tundra in place of a 2500 truck?

 

Gotcha, hard to tell inflections with text lol

 

It’s a weight distribution hitch not a weight removal hitch , lol.

 

I meant reduced on the backside of the car or on the hitch. Some of the weight gets distributed to the trailer axles and some gets pushed to the front of the truck, hence distribution. That being said, I know it doesn't change the payload.

 

In the last 10 years I’ve owned 9 fords, 4 dodges, 3 Toyota’s, 1 chev… everyone is the same the gvw is overstated compared to published numbers fairly consistent that is 300-400lbs overstated.

 

WDH definitely does shift some weight back onto the trailer. I’ve seen 75~100 lbs put back onto the trailer axles after installing the load bars. This was with an 8000 lb trailer so it could be less transfer with a lighter trailer.

 

It would be relative, I agree. This makes me think I have to load all my gear into the bathtub at the back of the camper.

Now I am spooked. I am wondering of buying this truck is the right thing to do. Luckily I have about 6 months to think about it.

Funny thing is, I towed my TT down to Florida and back New Hampshire last year without issue. No sway, no uncontrollable feeling. I even went through the Poconos. The truck performed flawlessly on that trip in 4 other short hauls. I even got 9MPGs on all trips. I just got the feeling that I should have more of a buffer in tow capacity. I'll think on this more. At the very least, someone will get to buy a truck that I don't want sometime in September.

 

This is probably the ONLY dealer option that is actually worth a damn. May it serve you well.
I hope you never need it to save your ass, but if you do, you will be damn glad you have it!

 

I dont think they would be anywhere near that limit. My F150 is a 7700 lb gvwr and there are HD F150’s that have an 8200 gvwr

That should be included in the sticker payload.

They are not two different things if you intend to tow >2/3 the maximum tow rating unless you plan on not having anything in your truck besides you, and your trailer is perfectly balanced with a 10% tongue weight

 

Im curious how heavy the OP's trailer weighs to cause that much concern. We have a 4500lbs trailer that weighs 5500 lbs loaded and I dont' see it as an issue when our 22 Crew Max 4x4 6.5 bed comes in. Does anybody have a pop up camper they put in a Tundra?

 

5500 lb trailer has a ~650-700lb tongue. Assuming he doesn’t camp by himself there is at least two people and another 300-400 lbs. This guys truck would only have 200 lbs left on paper without factoring weight distribution hitch weight or anything else(generator, kids, dog, etc)

I also have a 5500 lb trailer and my assumption is that I am very close the GVWR towing with my F150 and 1560 lbs of payload. Especially because I have a Leer topper. I might even be slightly over.

 

This is a widespread problem and in no way is it limited to the Tundra, F150, etc. My 22 Tundra is a SR5 with TRD package and I added the TRD running boards. My truck is rated at approx 11,000 lbs towing and approx 1300 lbs. payload.
Based on a lot of research and talking with lots of experienced towers, U should not tow at more than 70-75% of Ur vehicles rated capacity. I tow a Lance travel trailer that is 5,500 lbs loaded and it is a very enjoyable experience. I estimate that I would feel good about towing a travel trailer up to about 7,500 lbs. I try to watch my payload based on my estimates.
The Tundras are light duty trucks and are not built to tow heavy loads. If U want to tow a 9,000- 11,000 lb trailer, U need to buy a diesel and /or a 3/4 ton truck.
Weight distribution / anti sway hitches do not increase Ur towing / payload capacities.

If U want to tow safely and enjoyably, don't tow at Ur truck's rated towing capacity. If U want to believe any manufacturers towing ratings. Good Luck.

 

trailer is 1880 according to the sticker on it from Manufacturer. Checked model and options and the Buick was a little over 6400lbs on website. Did I weigh it to verify? No. Just went off the online info for fully loaded 2008 model as it literally had every single option available for that year model that I could tell.

 

If his trailer had an 800lb tongue weight and he adjusts the WD hitch to put 50lbs back on the trailer and a 1,350lb payload that would leave 600lbs for occupants.

I always read that the payload excludes one 150lb driver but dont exactly believe that.


Long story short I dont see an issue. That is plenty of trailer for a 1/2 ton type of truck.

 

I dont know what kinda car that is but

I dont know if that is accurate because my f350 dually diesel super cab 2wd weights right around 7500lbs with a full tank of diesel and DEF.

But still that trailer looks like 6500-7000lbs. And if you think it handled fine that is good because I really wouldn’t want to tow much more with a 1/2 ton (not to say I haven’t).

 

Because thats what the forums go by. The trailer puts tongue weight on the truck.

Rule of thumb is at minimum you should never exceed your GAWR. The GAWR importantly will meet your tire rating at the specified psi on the same sticker.

 

Gross axle weight rating.

If you mess with the suspension mess with the tires too. Thats gonna be the most dangerous situation, tires.

 

The limiting factor on Tundra is the GVWR first but could exceed GAWR with a really high tongue weight.
GVWR (7000-7375 lbs depending on cab/bed/driveline configuration) < GAWR (3860 lbs for rear) < Tire Load Rating (2469 lbs each).

I’d be worried about exceeding GVWR because it affects the springs. Riding on the bump stops is bad for ride and bad for handling. So if the payload is actually 1310 lbs, OP will have a hard time towing a heavier trailer with more than two or three passengers while staying within GVWR. One work around is to decrease tongue weight closer to 8-10%.

 

So if the Platnum spec sheet says 1665 lbs why is everyone saying it is more like 1300lbs? That is still more than my Titan’s payload spec sheet of 1200 lbs and I have been towing 7200lbs trailer loaded with a WDH/sway control hitch.