Freaking Low Payload

I'm concerned we are very easily over our patheticly low payload. The car & RV dealership both gave me false sense of security. With a wife, four small kids & dog totalling 670 lbs, my payload gets eaten up quick. The only solutions I have are removing the tonneau cover when towing & filling the gas tank less. Driving separate isn't an option with gas prices these days. Any tips on lowering payload weight? Does the WDH help with anything? Taking it all to get weighed this week.

Edit: I have a husky WDH that is rated for 800-1,200 lbs.

 

Airbags would be the answer to your problem

 

What's the payload on your Tundra and what is the hitch weight on the trailer? A WDH will just distribute the weight therefore the ass end of the truck wont sag as much it will also help with sway. Here is a helpful link I used when I finally decided it was time to upgrade to a 3/4 ton http://towcalculator.com/

 

Airbags = More weight

 

Those don't increase your payload capacity...

 

Remove AC Compressor, door skins, floor mats, loose change in cup holder, etc.

 

I thought his issue is with truck sagging when towing. Tundra can handle a lot more with airbags. But if you're towing "2 bedroom apartment", you got the wrong truck

 

1335 after hitch weight is taken out. Hitch weight is estimated around 600 lbs, getting it weighed this week. Every spreadsheet I fill out had me at least 200 lbs over. But that was with 75 lbs of wood & 50 lb tonneau cover that will go in the travel trailer next time.

 

Where did he say anything about sag?

Just because the truck doesn't sag doesn't mean it can handle more. You can't increase the GVWR beyond 7200 lbs.

 

Our Tundras are the heaviest 1/2 tons out there. All those quality components eat up the GVWR.

 

If your hitch weight is actually around 600lbs you can probably just make it within rated payload. Will need to basically keep the truck empty except for people and load everything else in the trailer. Will need a WDH and most also have sway control. Probably a good idea to buy a hitch scale off Amazon so you can dial in your hitch weight by moving items within the trailer. You need to make sure your hitch weight is 10-15% of the trailer weight for proper control. What are the specs on the trailer?

 

Personally if I were pushing the limits statistically I would certainly invest in a WDH as it will help (although add weigh) but it re distributes the weight back to the front tires of the truck and the trailer axles and sort of locks the 2 together as 1.. Typicality they also have sway control built in, so IMO from a safety standpoint pro outweighs the con.. not a bandaid like a airbag...

 

I frequently drive with pallet of porcelain tile in trucks bed, i have sumosprings installed to help with squat. My truck also has ARE topper, never had an issue. Those trucks can handle more weight than it is written in your manual, with proper suspensions mods and assuming you have 5.7. And if you towing a lot fully loaded, that is a different subject of discussion

 

Don't they recommend that when towing to try and be at 10-15% below the limits of the vehicle that is being used to tow?

 

I bet my farmer father-in-law has a hitch scale or my brother-in-law works for a grain elevator too. Trailer specs are GVWR 7680, UVW 5140. Only other weight would be the two LP tanks on front. My biggest issue is the 670 lbs of family members taking up a large portion of my payload.

 

A pallet of porcelain wont get pushed around by the wind when traveling as much but a tall camper would. I have no doubt that the Tundra can tow more than what the manufacturer suggest or take on a higher payload. It all comes down to safety and also not being able to load anything in the bed.

 

First thing we did was have the RV dealership install a WDH rated from 800-1200 lbs. It's the only thing keeping me sane right now.

 

Take it to the scale like you said that's the best thing you can do. I personally think your right at the limit or over it. Do you plan on towing up a mountain or mostly flat land?

 

That is exactly what i wrote, if OP tows a lot and heavy, he needs a different truck

 

Yeah, all the numbers look amazing with plenty of room to spare with GVWR for the the truck & travel trailer. I just can't make the payload work without some serious inconveniences. Just trying to keep the wife & kids from driving separate.

 

I would assume you would be in under 6,500 fully loaded but without carrying water. Would need to dial in the hitch weight to 650. It can work with careful planning and packing light. Be sure to get a Scan Gauge or something else to monitor transmission temperature, especially since your 2021 doesn’t have a factory trans cooler. Drive in S mode, S4 on hills keeps the temps down.

I did a 32’ trailer for a year before going to a 3/4 ton. I’m assuming you must be about 28’ from hitch to bumper, it’s about as big as I would go with a Tundra.

 

I really hope Toyota adds a temperature gauge to the 2022 model it irritated me that I couldn't keep an eye on my temps in my Tundra

 

Had my Scan Gauge mounted on the steeling column, not ideal but it worked well. Install was easy but it took a little time to get the codes figured out on the setup. Can show four different readings at once, two sensors for the tranny.

 

I don't typically drive past the borders of the midwest, so likely not making it past

Got a WDH for the sag. Just realized this week my payload capability was that of a prius.

 

If it truly concerns you that much then you should buy a bigger truck. All the math in the world won't help you with your fears.

 

Generally speaking, if you want to tow bigger than 22'-24' LIGHT trailers, you're better off with a bigger truck. No half tons are really going to be more than a few hundred pounds ahead of the Tundra.

If you want to go diesel get a 1 ton, because the heavy engines smoke a 3/4 tons payload. You'll find yourself in pretty much the same boat otherwise.

You have to decide if you want the truck or the trailer more, then select the other to fit it.

 

Here are the towing numbers on my truck not trying to convince you to go to a 3/4 ton just info. I went from 1130lb payload and 8800lb of towing to this

 

yeah, 28 ft Forest River Salem.

 

Doubt we would jump into the world of diesel. As much as I'd love one, I'm barely handy enough to maintain a gasser. Good lookin truck in your pic btw.

 

I wish it was that easy. We went off the readily available data for towing without a second thought to payload. We'll just have to get creative since this is our first brand new vehicle & truck in general.