Payload Stickers?

That's all logical possibilities, but it could also be that Toyota is more conservative in year payload designations. Some manufacturers bump payloads year to year without any kind of significant changes to the vehicles. Marketing is just lying as much as you can get away with, after all.

 

Seems to be the case. GM made almost everything on their new trucks aluminum and the cab flexes so much that the rear window leaks on pretty much every truck and they still don't have a fix for it 3 years later.

 

Something else to consider for whoever looks to payload numbers (myself included) is that the Tundra payload will be actually lower than the sticker as they don't include the running boards and tailgate steps (I am assuming everybody will need them), while the competitor's are already included. Anybody has any clue how much they weight?

 

They all have their own means for determining GVWR and payload, and it's a secret. Stock tires and weak springs are a big factor in why 1/2 tons have low ratings. Most people buy these for commuting, and they don't want a stiff ride. You have no legal obligation to stay under it, and if you upgrade tires and suspension it will handle a higher load just fine.

 

The air suspension isn't the missing link.

One of my local dealers has a SR5 CrewMax 4x4 with the 6.5' bed and air suspension (nice vehicle...), and the sticker was still around 1,400 lbs.

I guess I'm looking at a Big 3 truck with an extended warranty...

 

What sort of load are you planning to carry, and why does the sticker worry you?

 

A little late to the party

Someone had mentioned that an insurance company will deny your claim if you are over weight and that it is incorrect they will cover you they will not deny you. The issue pertaining to being over weight comes down to liability and any possible injuries that may have resulted from the accident. If the other party were to hire an attorney and challenge the liability decision set by the insurance carrier they may ask for the specs on the trailer/load that was being towed at the time of the loss and the specs for the vehicle that was doing the towing. There are many scenarios so I won't go further, hopefully you all find the right truck and tow safely I see too many people towing way over their limits and its not safe no matter how many modifications are done to their trucks. Also just my two cents and its been said before if Toyota really designed their trucks to tow more that what is stated on the door jamb why not just up the numbers? they would only help their sales.

 

The OP is talking about payload, so I think he's interested in hauling something in the bed, not towing. Put on some good shocks, heavier rear springs, and e-rated tires, and the Tundra will handle a 2500 lb load better than a stock 1 ton. You will never get a ticket for being over GVWR (because it isn't illegal or unsafe), and your insurance co will never deny a claim.

Is it possible that if you cause an accident that an opposing lawyer might try to use your weight against you somehow? Sure, anything is possible when it comes to lawyers. You might need to hire an engineer to show him he's FOS in that case...

 

Got it I read the post incorrectly.

Correct me if I'm wrong a manufacturer also takes how much weight a frame can handle as well. I would assume that when they take the payload rating numbers into consideration the frame is part of that equation. How would you "beef" up the frame to handle the extra load that it now has to carry?

Like I said there are many scenarios when an attorney would get involved. Most of the cases I have been a part of have to do with injuries and if they would have been any less serious if the individual that was found at fault for the accident was under the payload/towing specs provided by the manufacturer. In most cases the majority of drivers in this country are under insured so in some cases the attorney may be asking for more than what the policy can cover depending on the severity of the injuries or even possible death.

In my opinion if the car/truck is not rated for what you are trying to haul/tow stay away from it and buy something better suited to do the job

 

A lot of us are worried about payload while towing due to the fact that the trailer tongue weight is directly subtracted from available payload. And some people prefer to stay within the manufacturer's capacity recommendations regardless if it's a "law".

 

It's fine if someone wants to stay under the ratings... just discussing the logic and tradeoffs of that approach.

Nearly everyone who has even a light camper on a Tundra is over GVWR. Add armor, big tires, camping gear, passengers, etc. And a bunch of them go out in the desert and get air over the whoops with that load. We have 15 years of data on the 2nd gens and this abuse. The frame is plenty sturdy. I talked to a guy who had an enormous camper on a DC Long like mine. Him and his wife were living in it, camping in the woods and traveling around. I bet it was over 5k lbs. Said it handled fine. I think that's a bit much, but... half that load with proper upgrades? No worries. The 3rd gens are all new, but it's still a heavy truck for a 1/2 ton, and I'm sure they designed the frame to take way more than the rating.

The problem with getting something "better suited to do the job" is that it has to be a GM/Ford/Ram....

 

I agree with this on a case by case, if you are hauling at 2000 pound block of steel insurance may be able to check, 2000 pounds of rock dumped out all over the highway after a crash, not so much...and my story will be it was 800 pound load and ill stick to it (nobody is checking at that point). However my extremely overweight 30 foot travel trailer, insurance in a crash, even if it's not my fault will crush me, police report will state that overweight vehicle and improper loading contributed to the crash and fault would be put on my vehicle as well. Just gotta roll dice and hope not to crash, (knock on wood)

 

No, they won't. They'll pay.

 

they may pay, but when the contributing factor of the MV Crash is my overloaded vehicle I will be found at fault or at least partially at fault on the report, which will result in raised rates or being dropped altogether. At least in NJ with NJTR1 accident reports, and thats only if (a big if) the cop knows anything about payload and most don't. I drive a 38 foot class A diesel pusher motorhome, most cops would know more about a spaceship before they could say anything about what loads I can safely carry on the highway.

 

In what situation would you be found at fault if over GVWR, but not if you were under? If you failed to brake or lost control of your vehicle, you'd be found at fault in either case. And if the other party are the ones who failed to brake or lost control, your load is irrelevant.

A Tundra hauling a 2500 lb camper with appropriate mods, will handle and brake *much* better than your 38 ft motorhome, and be much safer from the perspective of other road users. It wouldn't even be close. And yet a 90 year old with horrible reflexes and eyesight can legally pilot that motorhome anywhere he wants to go, so long as he has a simple driver's license.

The reason cops don't know anything about "loads that you can safely carry on the highway" is that there is in fact no such thing. It is the driver's responsibility ensure that their vehicle is safe to drive, and to use it in a safe manner. The cops only get involved if it is visually obvious that your vehicle or yourself are unsafe, or you cause an accident.

 

I agree with you, load should not have anything to do with it. But I will attempt to explain what situation you could be found at fault. At least in NJ, and I’m not talking bad about cops. I’m a cop for the past 22 years.
Let’s say someone runs a red light and smashes into the side of your vehicle and you are overloaded obviously with squat to the point anyone would say that truck is loaded to much. Now let’s say the driver who hit you sustained seriously bodily injury and it’s necessary for a full accident reconstruction report. The fact that your vehicle is overweight contrary to law will be noted in the report and even that it had nothing to do with the initial impact your unsafe vehicle will be given some type of contribution towards the impact. It’s not fair but it happens all the time.

“Vehicle 1 proceeded through intersection against the red traffic signal causing impact with unsafe Vehicle 2. Investigation reveals vehicle 2 was overloaded in an unsafe manner when struck by vehicle 1 who disregarded the red traffic signal.

summons issued to vehicle 1 and 2 for violations.


I know, it probably won’t ever happen to you, but I see this kind of stuff all the time. And people come in and complain that insurance won’t pay because of the way the cop wrote the report.

But it u upgrade ur truck and drive safe I agree with you that it would be fine.

 

In this case, the pickup driver was already in violation before the accident and could have been given a ticket for having a load that was obviously unsafe. The accident just called attention to them. This is true for any sort of violation isn't it? For instance if it was determined that the pickup driver was on their cell phone, or driving with an expired license, they'd get a ticket for that, but it wouldn't necessarily have anything to do with the accident or fault.

 

Cell phone definitely. expired license not so much. And you absolutely correct that the crash just calls attention to it, point is probably moot as most cops don’t know about payload or they don’t care.

 

Since being over GVWR is not in itself illegal, should they have a reason to care? I'm just trying to get some clarification, and your experience as a cop is valuable.

 

At least in my state being over GVWR may not be the issue. But operating an unsafe vehicle is. And that could also lend itself to careless driving.
The officer would have to articulate what exactly made the vehicle unsafe in court per the statute. But to write the violations it’s left to the individual officers discretion.
As far as payload it would have to be dramatic, like a 2wd 1999 Tacoma with 4K of tile in the bed riding on its axles with smoking breaks. That could get u pulled over and issued unsafe operation.
But if u just have a payload that’s 500 pounds over being in a serious crash will trigger a more in-depth crash investigation that could reveal the overweight and may result in your vehicle being classified as unsafe.

it’s a lot of “what ifs” and I must say it’s unlikely.
But it happens

 

I bought my RV in Tampa FL and drive it back to NJ first time. Took a safety class at the dealership but definitely was not confident behind the wheel. I Never used air breaks before and nothing is required as far as endorsement on driver license. Dealer gave me keys and that was it.

Mandatory driver training for RV and motor home would help with the crash issues I think.

 

Only if it's the limiting factor in the GVWR.

 

How bout all that arguing about driving under the magic number, I mean payload stickers

 

Ok, so lets get back to payload. Here is a 2wd, DC, with just power softtex seats, bedliner and floor mats. WTF! A 2wd, DC long bed has a higher payload by like 30 lbs than a 2wd, DC short bed!? What configuration will net 1750 of the advertised 1980 lbs payload?

 

it will have to be an SR most likely

 

Still not sure as like has been posted here, under the weights/specs it does not look like it. Dealor today had an update of all model #'s (?) that corrected earlier specs. Do the airbag (avs models) have higher payload? Nice looking truck tho.

 

wow , that pic with the hood up really gives you a feel of how long the front end is. will be interesting on the test drive if I like that or not

 

My Chicks 2020 Tacoma is the same way, no issues whatsoever and thats her being a 5'2" grandma. Nice truck, just 2 small for the 5ver.