The owners manual... Or punch the VIN in to Toyota’s website and it will tell you the payload and tow capacity of that particular vehicle. If it is a 5.7 with factory tow package then it will be between 9600 and 10200 lbs depending on bed/cab/trim configuration. For a while, you could get a 5.7 without the tow package which was kind of an oddball and was rated for much less; the only differences would be the factory hitch, a larger alternator, a factory transmission cooler, and the tow/haul button. Look at the vehicle for the tow/haul button on the end of the gear shift if it has a bench seat, or on the console below the HVAC controls if it has a center console. This is usually the easiest way to verify.

 

Thank you for the fast response. If it is at least 9600, I'm good with it. Going to look tomorrow at 3 trucks within 6 miles of each other. They have 156k to 185k. My first look will be for cam tower leaks. One is a one-owner, one is a smoker's truck, one a trade in. I use a truck very few miles/year, so hopefully one will last me a long time.

 

comparable to my 1 owner smokers trade in. but im the kinda guy who does whatever in my trucks cuz nobody gonna want em when im done with em anyway. From what I understand tow package trucks are rated at 10k.

 

I bought the truck. I just found a Toyota website where I can enter the VIN and get build info on the truck. The site gives an 8600# tow capacity. It also shows the truck to. have a 4:10 axle ratio. I think the standard ratio for the tow package is 4.30. Could this be the reason for the lower capacity? It is a 2008 double cab GRD model with 6.5' box, 5.7L and tow package.

 

If it has 4.10, and the 5.7, then it doesn't have the factory tow package.

Factory tow package with 5.7 gets 4.30 rear end. Tow hitch may have been added at the dealer, or after, but from the factory the tow package gets the 4.30. For reference, my 2010 RW Crewmax, with 5.7, 4wd, factory tow package and 4.30 had a tow rating max of between 10,100, and 10,300 from what I remember when I bought it new. I had looked at a truck with 4.10's, and hitch, no tow package from factory, and it was around 8100-8300. I am pulling from my memory, and I went with the factory tow package over just hitch truck.



And nothing that you add or change later can ever change or increase the towing capacity over what the vin/sticker states. Period. There are things that can make it handle the load better, but you can never actually increase the rating.

 

Toyota Vehicle Information

Punch the vin in to the link above - it goes directly to Toyota’s website and will give you the most accurate information. It may well be 8600 lbs and actually have 4:10’s, but by far the vast majority of 5.7’s with factory tow package come with 4:30’s; 4:10’s are the non-tow package gear for 5.7’s, as well as the tow package for the 4.6 motor.

 

The link you provided is the one I used. The owner used the truck to commute from Baton Rouge to Houston for work. I'm guessing that he ordered the 4.10 for fuel mileage.

 

does anyone actually stay within capacity tho. I know damn well that when Im done loading the truck with crap, wife, kid and dog that my capacity is already screwed... but I tow that 5k travel trailer anyway and just make sure to givwe myself LOTS of stopping room

 

I'm mostly concerned about the liability if I'm towing more than the rated capacity and get stopped or in an accident. I'm pretty sure the rear ratio factors into the rating, but don't know about anything more.

 

You can always add air bag assist and a weight distribution bar to increase the tow haul capacity safely.

 

While those are good additions, they do not increase your 'book/legal' tow capacity. They do make hauling at the upper limit much easier and safer, but only the manufacturer rating counts in the eyes of the law. Now, having said that I've been seeing things all over the net for 20 yrs regarding legal limits and folks worried about getting into some sort of legal trouble. In all those years, I have yet to see a verified case of anyone actually being called onto the carpet over an incident. Commercial vehicles for sure, but a private vehicle NOT operating under any sort of commercial enterprise I have yet to see anything.

One more thing to consider: Are your wheels up to the task? Back when I had a large slide-in camper I had the airbags to assist in hauling that heavy bugger around. It turns out the aluminum wheels were right at the limit of their capacity, and that was an 8 lug one-ton truck. I'm quite certain that my 5 lugs would not hold up to the same type of load, even if the rubber could.

 

From the 2008 manual

 

Heavy duty Airbag assist certification by DMV with the stabilizer and equalizer bar is verified by inspection complete with tag and paper documents. 10 ply tires and custom painted steel rims.

 

Actually, DHSMV Department Highway Safety of Motor Vehicles.

 

@Nwflboy - whereabouts does your dmv allow such things? I’m only aware of being able to register a vehicle like ours up to 10,000lbs as a commercial vehicle.

Granted, as has been mentioned, I’m unaware of any existing case where a private passenger vehicle was prosecuted for being over the GVW of the vehicle, so it may be a moot point.

 

@Nwflboy - whereabouts does your dmv allow suck things? I’m only aware of being able to register a vehicle like ours up to 10,000lbs as a commercial vehicle.

Granted, as has been mentioned, I’m unaware of any existing case where a private passenger vehicle was prosecuted for being over the GVW of the vehicle, so it may be a moot point.

Florida

 

They do it often. My wife works for DHSMV as an Administrative Law Judge/Hearing Officer. The other half of the building performs inspections for vehicles and mobile homes, investigates car dealerships, mobile home dealerships and mobile home parks.

 

(Note to the 40cpe: My apologies for hijacking your thread, hopefully your question has already been answered!)

Nwflboy, can you provide a link to the Florida code that covers the modifications and increasing the GVWR legally? I can understand increasing your registration GVW, but not the actual manufacturer rating. I can register a trailer up here for less than 4K lbs, or greater than 4K lbs. The only difference is the fees I pay, supposedly to cover the increased wear and tear on the roads from heavier hauling. Either of those options have absolutely nothing to do with the manufacturer's GVWR, and everything to do with actual weight on the road.
Pickup trucks are assessed a fee based on the class of truck, where a '1/2 ton' truck pays less than a '3/4 ton', pays less than a '1 ton'. Those classes (class 1 thru class 8) are rarely aligned with the actual manufacturer ratings though, especially in recent times with 1/2 ton trucks being rated to haul loads that exceed the ratings of 1tons from 20 yrs ago.
Quite frankly I would be amazed that ANY state would take on the liability of allowing that. But, you do happen to have a pretty amazing governor down there right now so anything is possible.

 

I, personally, don't know the specifics other than visiting, talking to them during my inspection. They share an office complex with my wife's along with State Troopers. They did, however, discuss the detailed inspection procedures as they examined the modifications to my truck complete with trailer. Climbed under it, around it, under the hood took it to the scale house. Drove it. Along with the sticker and documentation explained what they were doing, asked me questions. I own a farm, had to provide proof of insurance, policy limits and liability. Mine is a 2015 with only 46,000 miles. 10 ply Michelin LTX tires, heavier springs/shocks with automatic airbag load assist and aftermarket heavy-duty brakes and rotors. Had mine setup strictly to haul heavy loads with a custom built 8' x 14' dual 7200lb axles with dual electric brakes, fold up, fold in half, spring assisted and hydraulic assisted ramp, interchangeable tongue for 2 2/2" ball, pintle, etc. With stabilizer and equalizer bars. Just happy I got mine done. I'm now disabled and couldn't do the little I am able to do without it already setup as I did much of the work myself before becoming disabled.

 

So what weight ratings did they assign to your vehicle? Farm vehicles are often given certain latitudes in my neck of the woods but I can’t speak for DMV endorsements/ratings.

 

14,600lbs

 

@Powertechn2 - good memory. The above-posted image from the manual confirms as much.

 

Powertechn2, I got my info from the Toyota site by entering the VIN. The site listed the truck as having the tow package, and it has the tow/haul switch, wiring for the brake controller, trans temp gauge, trans oil cooler, and trailer connections. The site said it has a 4.10, and gave the 8600# rating. I haven't verified it. I didn't get an owner manual with it, but have one ordered and supposed to be here tomorrow. The model code is USK51L CRTSKA if anyone can look up the capacity. It is a 2008 base double cab.

 

OK, my 2008 tundra owner's manual came in the mail today. My model code USK51L CRTSKA in the manual shows 8600 on one line, on the second line it shows 10,600 pounds with a foot note indicating "with towing package". Mine has the tow package, so I'm a happy camper. I've learned something, thanks for all the helpful comments.

 

Yeah, the older trucks had a ton of footnotes. One that sticks out in my mind was to the effect of black/painted bumper vs chrome changed the towing capacity or payload, I forget now. But that was an odd footnote.

Glad you got it figured out.

@Powertechn2 - good memory. The above-posted image from the manual confirms as much.

Thanks!
Yeah, I missed the pic, I just really dug these trucks since 2007. I bought a 2007 FJ in 2006 when they were first arriving, was on pre-order etc... I happened to have had a brand new Tundra as a loaner once, thought it was sick, and did a lot of research. So in 2010 when I outgrew the FJ for camping, I got a Tundra. And I have an odd encyclopedia type memory that stores a bunch of useless information that only comes out if it is a situation where it is useful.

 

Gross combined? Or trailer weight with a GCVW of over 20k?

 

are you driving on a cdl? why are you so concerned about weight and being legal... from what I understand my class D is good for up to 26k lbs.... could be wrong. I know for sure my class A is good for 80k

 

I have a class A CDL with, doubles, triples, hazmat, passenger and motorcycle. I've had it for 41 years. As long as one takes all the necessary steps for safety, compliance with certifications and proper insurance - I don't see the big deal folks are making about this. If they had a Chevy, Dodge or Ford they would accept their limitations and move on. The Tundra is the best in class and easy to make even more functional, completely out classing all others.

 

thats a hell of a license... for passengers is that 10 riders or 15? whats the limit before needing that endorsement?

 

Buses that haul any number of people for churches, schools or commercial. I also have a tanker endorsement.

 

Ill go ahead and admit it, every time I tow I am over weight and I know it. Does anyone actually stay within capacity on a 1/2 ton truck tho? By the time I have all my crap, kids, dogs, and wife in the truck Im already close... then I slap a 6k lb travel trailer on the bumper and that rating is done for like a fat kid in dodgeball. I have a decent weight distribution hitch and I give myself ALOT of room to stop, but still, not exactly the safest set up on the road

 

Ill go ahead and admit it, every time I tow I am over weight and I know it... kids, dogs, and wife in the truck Im already close... then I slap a 6k lb travel trailer on the bumper…. not exactly the safest set up on the road

Why in the heck would you risk your entire family’s safety and well being????????

 

Owner/operator? I inherited a truck but shes a work in progress. Currently driving a 2018 kenworth daycab with the stupidest of automatic transmissions