Figuring out the curb weight and hitch weight rating?

1. How can i figure out the curb weight of my truck (empty truck with no passengers etc)?

2. How can i figure out the HWR (Hitch weight rating)?

thanks

 

1. Best way is to go to a truck scale and weigh it. Good rough estimate is to subtract your door jamb sticker payload rating from the GVWR of the truck.

2. Assuming 4x4 your maximum tongue weight is 640lbs and maximum tow rating is 6400lbs.

 

thanks! so basically HWR= tongue weight? I kept looking in manual and couldn't find hitch weight rating

 

In most cases, yes. Some vehicles have a tongue weight for towing a trailer and a different hitch weight for something like a big bicycle rack. I don’t recall seeing that difference for a Tacoma though.

 

i saw different weights in the manual if you install a trailer ball on bumper or hitch. is this what you are referring to?

 

No. That would be a bumper pull rating versus a tongue rating. What I’m referring to is the difference between a tongue weight rating where the weight is also supported by trailer tires as opposed to hanging five bicycles off the hitch where all the weight is levered against just the hitch.

 

Just to expand upon the truck scales, the most common ones out there are the CAT scales available at highway truck stops. Usually around $10-15 per weigh. Their website will help you locate one.

Tacomas generally don't have that high of a payload to work with for towing, so it's good to know exactly how much weight you're working with. Typically you end up lower than the number on the door jamb when aftermarket parts or just other cargo are added to the vehicle either by you or the dealer. ex: Tonneau cover added later on

 

thanks

 

so basically take my gvwr - whatever my truck weighs empty (including any cap etc) and remainder is my payload or what cargo i can carry?

 

Pretty much, and it should fairly closely match what the door jamb sticker says.

You’ll find that payload number is probably around 1000lbs and it disappears really quickly. Hitch a 5000lb trailer and you only have about 350lbs left for a driver, passenger, kids, dogs, snacks, whatever.