How to increase payload

I am maxing out my Tacoma's payload capacity (~1100 lbs) with cargo in the bed. What modifications could bring the payload up significantly, say to 2000 lbs? Has anyone been able to achieve this?

 

Im sure heavy duty leaf springs would help a ton, but you have to remember that the bed is a composite plastic, NOT metal. Therefore, it’s not as strong. Why do you need to increase your payload? You’re better off using a trailer than stuffing your bed full of heavy stuff.

 

Trailer.
You cant increase the rated payload without new components such as frame bracing, suspension upgrades, bigger rear end.
You can improve how the truck handles load by upgrading springs, or adding airbags. But your truck wont be a 1 Ton unless you do some work and spend $$$$$.

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld!

 

Long run, trailer will be cheaper and cause less damage to the truck...

 

You may read into a lot of false information, but the payload is in fact determined by structure, axle, suspension, and brakes. Upgrading springs will make it sag less, but the truck isn't designed for it.

I've overloaded an F150 with air-ride to 2200lbs (wet soil is heavy!!!) and it wasn't even remotely safe. I hit a bump and thought the truck was going to flip over.

 

Feel like this is a Friday post....

 

Welcome to TW

 

I have hauled an 1800 pound load of copper scrap in my 4 banger. It was a fun trip down the mountain to the scrap yard. The truck will do it, not recommended but for me it was worth it cashing in...

 

Welcome to TW!!

 

Air bags, helper springs and a trailer, or buy a full sized truck

 

Buy a bigger truck, or a trailer. FWIW very few 1/2 ton trucks are rated for 2000 lbs and some 3/4 tons are not. You probably need a trailer.

There is no way to safely or legally increase payload above what is on the sticker. Modifying the suspension or adding air bags etc. will help improve ride when loaded right up to max, but they won't increase what you can haul. The trucks frame, suspension, brakes, and steering are all designed to work at no more than the weight listed on it. Just because you're able to modify things so it sits level with 2000 lbs in the bed changes nothing.

There has probably never been a truck that wasn't overloaded at some point. For short distances on rare occasions going over by a couple of hundred pounds probably won't break anything if you drive carefully. But if you need to haul that much it ain't safe to do in a Tacoma.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Thanks for the replies, guys. Tell me what you think of this: A friend of mine told me that everything is essentially the same--besides cosmetics--between the Tacoma and the Hilux. Tacoma has a payload of ~1100-1400lbs, depending on bed length. The Hilux specs says its payload is 1040 KILOGRAMS, i.e, 2,300 lbs. So do Americans just get the toy version of the truck, and Europeans, the real thing? Or are the trucks the same, but Toyota thinks they have to tell Americans the rating is lower for liability purposes?

 

Damn. That difference is insane.

 

I don’t think that the differences between the Tacoma & Hilux are only cosmetic.
If I’m not mistaken, the Hilux has a fully boxed frame (adding to payload capacity).
I wouldn’t be surprised if it also had a different rear axle (for example, an axle with full-floating shafts, which would greatly improve payload capability).
And I doubt that the Hilux’s rear springs are the same as the Tacoma (which wouldn’t be hard to beat the Tacoma’s payload capabilities).
The Tacoma has been tailored to the North American market and doesn’t necessarily need to be competitive in the payload department since there are so many full size options (including the Tundra) that are available in the US.

 

Before the arrival of the Tacoma in 1995, the Toyota pickups sold here in the US were essentially the same as the Hilux in the rest of the world, but once we received the Tacoma the similarities with the Hilux started to change.

 

Interesting. The Tundra though, is a large but still light truck, with only 1600 lbs payload capacity.

It seems like there is no small-medium size (Tacoma-sized), heavy duty truck in the US. So disappointing, because that's exactly what I need for my business, and trailers aren't really feasible for me.