Why won’t Toyota provide actual payload numbers?

[alpineovernappa]

after reading countless threads on the Tacoma and tundra forums, it seems universally true that the gross vehicle weight rating of any given Toyota Truck minus the curb weight as noted on a certified scale is nowhere near the payload sticker that Toyota provides. In the truck world, it’s fairly standard to have a payload sticker on the door that is within 5% of that actual net weight number, whereas Toyotas can deviate as much as 40% from the actual payload allowance.

I’ve spoken to multiple dealerships, who always provide me with the number that is given on Toyota‘s website for that specific trim and body style. Unfortunately, that number subtracted from the gross vehicle weight rating is still nowhere close to the payload sticker. Most recently I went to look at a TRD OR with zero options. The payload sticker is nearly 500lbs lower than what the Toyota chart and dealership management tell me it should be.

I know Toyota has always been a very conservative company, but this discrepancy seems to fall well outside of their reputation for being precise.

The actual payload of these trucks is much more competitive than Toyota is advertising when comparing curb weight to GVWR.

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[Cariboo Ryan]

I agree. I have looked at the door jamb of numerous 2024-25 Tacomas and doesn't matter the grade, options or transmission, they all say payload of 1,200 pounds. I go by the specifications on the Toyota media site, where the GVWR and curb weight is broken down by every model.
https://pressroom.toyota.com/vehicle/2025-toyota-tacoma/

 

[Wife bought my 24 TRD]

after reading countless threads on the Tacoma and tundra forums, it seems universally true that the gross vehicle weight rating of any given Toyota Truck minus the curb weight as noted on a certified scale is nowhere near the payload sticker that Toyota provides. In the truck world, it’s fairly standard to have a payload sticker on the door that is within 5% of that actual net weight number, whereas Toyotas can deviate as much as 40% from the actual payload allowance.

I’ve spoken to multiple dealerships, who always provide me with the number that is given on Toyota‘s website for that specific trim and body style. Unfortunately, that number subtracted from the gross vehicle weight rating is still nowhere close to the payload sticker. Most recently I went to look at a TRD OR with zero options. The payload sticker is nearly 500lbs lower than what the Toyota chart and dealership management tell me it should be.

I know Toyota has always been a very conservative company, but this discrepancy seems to fall well outside of their reputation for being precise.

The actual payload of these trucks is much more competitive than Toyota is advertising when comparing curb weight to GVWR.

These trucks are only meant to haul bags of groceries and look good on the road.. after adding some mods, all the suspension would do is bottom out. So I upgraded to him, the king, this iafter adding some mods, all the suspension would do is bottom out. So I upgraded the widow with a custom king total chaos suspension with Dobson 819 rear Springs and problem solved

 

[ToyTaco]

With nearly every truck we've owned in the past, the GVWR minus empty weight (when new, prior to any mods) would closely match the payload rating on the truck's door jam sticker.

Just CAT scaled our new '25 Tacoma, empty (no driver), with a full tank of gas. Weighed 4815 lbs. GVWR is 6305 lbs. Using the GVWR minus empty weight method to calculate payload rating, this would seem to indicate a payload rating of 1490 lbs. However, the payload rating on our Tacoma's door jam sticker is 1200 lbs.---290 lbs. lower.

For what it's worth, our Tacoma can only support 1215 lbs. on the rear axle based on its RAWR of 3275 lbs. and scaled empty rear axle weight of 2060 lbs. A number of trucks we've owned could support a GVWR minus empty weight calculated payload rating on the rear axle alone. Our Tacoma cannot.

This 1215 lb. remaining rear axle capacity may play a part in the somewhat lower than expected 1200 lb. payload rating of our Tacoma. Hard to say for sure.

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