Tundra payload

[Pimms]

I’m still in the process of finding a replacement tv for my gen 3 Tacoma. Have now looked at the big 3 but since I am a Toyota fan I wanted to throw the Tundra into the mix. Looked at new 2019’s this afternoon and found payload numbers to be pretty disappointing. 1185 on a Limited model crew cab. 1320 on a SR5 double cab. These are door sticker real world numbers and seem to be nearly 300 lb less than the specs state. I was hoping for at least 1600 on the double cab. Do any newer model Tundra owners have actual payloads over 1500 and if so, how is it achieved?

[Piggy Bank]

I doubt it--I just looked at their website and that 1600 pound number (footnote #59) is a math number that doesn't account for any added weight used for upgrades or optional features over the pure base model.

But I will tell you that we have a 2014 5.7L Limited crew max short bed 4x4--We love this truck and towing with it.

Factory stickered at 1335 pounds capacity less the 49 pounds yellow sticker for add-ons. I would not hesitate to recommend the Tundra.

[Tuco]

Go get the truck you like, buy a good hitch and set it up right. Stop worrying about a few hundred pounds over the door sticker. There are plenty of people in camp towing much bigger SOB trailers than yours with those trucks! GL with this thread, your going to need it...

[ROBERT CROSS]

I have used axle ratings to determine carry capacity.
Downside..you need actual weight on the axles to figure it.

Example...our Burb axle ratings. frt, 4180 rear, 5500lb.
Weight on the axles full gas...frt 3740, rear, 3640lb.

Tires and axles under max ratings when Stream'n.😘

Bob
🇺🇸

[Pimms]

Thanks. I’m hoping to keep the answers Tundra only as I am well aware of the other options out there.

Although our 23fb spec says tongue weight of 450, others have said real world is more like 600 or 650. We don’t want to be worrying about going over payload and would prefer to have reserve.

[Adventure.AS]

Originally Posted by Pimms

...

Although our 23fb spec says tongue weight of 450, others have said real world is more like 600 or 650. We don’t want to be worrying about going over payload and would prefer to have reserve.

With a properly set up weight distribution (WD) hitch it will move 1/3 of that weight to the front axle of the TV and 1/3 back to the trailer axles, leaving maybe 220 lbs on the ball.

[Piggy Bank]

Also possible due to the layout of that trailer that people are loading it with all sorts of heavy stuff under that front bed, instead of spreading out the weight better.

Our first trailer was a 22 sport--also has a front bed. First really really long trip I had too much heavy weight under the bed because it was "out of the way" and it was less comfortable to tow that way. No problems once we moved things around. Where the weight is sitting matters too.

[Pimms]

Originally Posted by Piggy Bank

Also possible due to the layout of that trailer that people are loading it with all sorts of heavy stuff under that front bed, instead of spreading out the weight better.

Our first trailer was a 22 sport--also has a front bed. First really really long trip I had too much heavy weight under the bed because it was "out of the way" and it was less comfortable to tow that way. No problems once we moved things around. Where the weight is sitting matters too.

I appreciate all the input thus far but to stay on point. Is it possible to get sufficient payload from a new Tundra and have room to spare? Given the actual rated payload is on the yellow sticker that seems to relate more to the tires, could payload vary with a different tire?

[NyceFlyer3]

According to the Web:
When the 2019 2WD Toyota Tundra is equipped with the 5.7-liter engine, you can tow up to 10,100 pounds. That should be plenty of strength to take whatever you need to wherever you want to go. The Toyota Tundra also has Trailer-Sway Control (TSC) to help you when the road or weather get difficult to deal with. They also advertise a payload of 1660 lbs for the 5.7L 2WD Model - meaning on board the truck. Toyota advertised numbers comply with SAE J2807 standards, meaning they're realistic, too.
IMO that truck would pull a 23FB like crazy! The only issue is stopping - one option would be to get the TRD wheels & brakes, which might come in handy if the trailer brakes fail going downhill..

[Pimms]

Absolutely agree the Tundra would be more than sufficient to pull our 23FB. But how much added weight can we put in the bed once the trailer is hitched; i.e. payload?

[Pimms]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

I have used axle ratings to determine carry capacity.
Downside..you need actual weight on the axles to figure it.

Example...our Burb axle ratings. frt, 4180 rear, 5500lb.
Weight on the axles full gas...frt 3740, rear, 3640lb.

Tires and axles under max ratings when Stream'n.😘

Bob
🇺🇸

Bob - This seems to me to be the most realistic way to determine actual carrying capacity, but not practical for someone shopping for a tv. It seems I am at the mercy of the yellow door jamb sticker unless I'm missing something.

[ROBERT CROSS]

The GAWR's are not on the sticker for new vehicles?


The last dealer I worked at was 7mi away from a CAT scale. I got weights for at least 8 people who were shopping for TV's.
(FWIW...I was not in sales)

We also had customers who made arrangements for overnight trials where they could do what they felt necessary to decide on a purchase.
It really depends on the dealer and what they will do for a sale and a happy customer.👍

Bob
🇺🇸

[Pimms]

Being a newbie I have a lot to learn about weighing on a CAT scale and I realize I will need to familiarize myself with this, many other threads on this topic, I'm guessing, but could you point to a quick tutorial; youtube or what have you?

[Pimms]

There is no option that I can find on the Tundra on-line build site for towing mirrors. Dealer I visited today confirms this.

[KCCO]

Oem Toyota tow mirrors are available - whether you can order them on a factory build or not.

[Pimms]

But for power extend and fold?

[azflycaster]

I had my 2016 Tundra configured by the Fleet Manager at the Flagstaff dealer and towing mirrors were included. I don't know if this has changed.

[Piggy Bank]

Regarding mirrors, I understand that you can add Tundra OEM tow mirrors that are powered, but they are wide enough that I would have to fold them in on a daily basis to park in and out of my home garage. They are several hundred dollars. We did look at changing to these, but decided we didn't want the extra width to manage.

We use the strap on McKesh tow mirrors with convex spots on both sides. Purchased on the Hensley hitch website. Total about $150. They are nice and wide and you can see great with them. The 98% of the miles I drive that I am not towing, they are not on my truck, so each day when I back in and out of my garage my standard mirrors are not in the way.

To answer your other question about can you build out the model you want and get more payload-I say that is a really good questions. I think you might check for some on-line Tundra forums and see what they say. I suspect that you might not be able to hit 1500# in the real world with the 5.7L engine, which of course you want for towing. Other things that might add weight that of course you want for towing are 4x4 for pulling onto pavement from gravel roads, those nice big tow package add ons like good brakes and transmission coolers, and also good tires.

I would also add that my favorite feature is the full roll-down back window on the big cab model. It's delightful.

[Martee]

My 2014 Tundra Platinum 4X4 has payload of 1375 lbs. Currently towing a 2018 FC 25FB and have about 21,500 miles towing in the past year. No issues.

Added TRD sway bar, and this incredible small cost item, greatly improves towing performance. Highly recommended. Also encourage upgrading the unreliable Toyota factory brake controller to the Prodigy P3.

Initially i was using the Propride at 220lbs and it worked well, but then switched to the much lighter Reese Stediflex Weight Distribution Hitch and he truck drives and tracks much more comfortable.

[pteck]

The Tundra is a great tow vehicle. Don't let those that are overly critical on a single number dissuade you. Many have towed much much more trailer with great success.

It's well within Toyota guidelines. With a Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of 16,000 lbs., the Tundra rated to tow anything from 6,400 to 10,200 lbs. There plenty of capacity to go around.