Freaking Low Payload

The squeal sound shouldn't be related to towing but bring it up with the dealer and get it solved. When you truck pulls with the trailer on is it after you make a turn? I've seen some WD hitches that bind after a turn and cause a pull in the truck with the wheel off center.

 

Fully agree. The 'payload police' is a real thing. Severe load imbalance is a much bigger concern than being 10% over the rather arbitrary limits.

And yes I'll call them arbitrary since we'll never know how they were created. Take a look at the Ford payload charts some time and you'll see that they increase their allowances with even just an engine change.

 

I'd agree the payload on a Tundra is underrated. Mine lists a limit of 1310 lbs and I'm about to put a 1100 pound Four Wheel Camper in it, which plus me, my wife and our gear will be a bit over for sure. However, even Four Wheel Camper as a brand still makes them listed for Tundras. Obviously there's the legality of being over if we have an accident, but unfortunately I'm going to take the chance because I know in reality it can handle it just fine.

 

I think on the legal aspect you will be just fine. Your not going to be in any legal hot water being a couple hundred pound over payload and insurance will cover you if you have an accident. The reality is insurance companies cover clients for drunk driving, distracted driving and any other infractions and it's no different if you were towing over payload.

 

True. Maybe I should just take the sticker that shows the payload capacity off, then how would they know anyway! Haha

 

I'm not following how just because you don't know how automotive engineering is done that means the limits must be arbitrary.

 

I'm not sure if it's true but I've heard that the GVWR and the front and rear axle ratings printed on the other door sticker should be used and that the payload number on the yellow sticker is more of a recommendation by the manufacturer.

 

Do tell. I'm all ears when it comes to first hand experience.

 

Wow, that sounds awful. So you had to pay $320k out of pocket? Were you able to settle that amount down at all?

 

If you have a serious travel trailer accident there usually isn't much trailer left to actually calculate an accurate weight of the trailer. Tanks will likely be split open and all fluid weight is history.

 

To me as long as you use some common sense you are fine. Like I said earlier anytime you load up your family and go to the lake or go hunting with some buddies, you are probably over the payload capacity, but I can also take a look at my truck and tell if it's over loaded or not. I'm not going to load a ton of bricks in my bed, but I'm also not scared to go over the payload by a couple hundred pounds either.

 

Wow , those were some crazy medical bills , Reminds me how thankful I am for living up in Canada , thank goodness for free healthcare !

 

Not exactly free, but at least you are not out of pocket large sums at one time.

 

Thank you for that link. Just got back from the scale & crunched the numbers. We just squeak under what everything it's rated at.

 

Loving the comedy going on with some of these comments.

So far we have open admissions of Gross Negligence, Willful Negligence, and now here comes free healthcare willful and gross economic negligence.

You know when people become unopened to reality when they are presented facts and still don’t change their minds. 2+2=5.

 

Yeah, not helpful. But then again opinions are like a$$holes...

 

Of which, I am Supreme.

I will say I admire your diligence in the matter of staying in spec.

 

I was in the dealer for service and checked out the Tundra on the sales floor. 975 lbs payload. 10,200 lbs towing capacity but minimum tongue weight of a 8000 lb trailer should be 800 lbs meaning if you alone weight more than 175lbs or so you’re payload is maxed. Forget the family and coolers.

 

No, because driver is already 'included' with the vehicle and doesn't factor into the payload rating. The advertised payload is your wife, kids, dog, generator etc - not you.

 

How can they legally do that when no drivers weigh the same?

 

they use an average adult weight. Which is probably 100lbs lighter than the average truck buyer in 2021 usa

 

The J2807 standard assumes there is both a driver and passenger in the vehicle, each weighing 150 pounds and that the tow vehicle also include up to 70 pounds of aftermarket hitch equipment.

 

I believe the SAE rating system that is used includes 300lbs of people and 70lbs of added hitch (such as a WDH).

 

Kinda like the 1st Gen TV advertisements back in 2002 where they fit 4 guys in the Access Cab. They were each about 4’10” Tall and 98lbs.