Towing capacity

Got a 2021 SR5 v6 I know what it says the weight capacity is, but I’d like to hear firsthand, what is the safe max tow weight

 

Check out the towing section you posted this in. Way too many variables beyond weight.

 

Yeah I’m aware of the variables, was thinking of getting a lightweight camper around 3000lbs max was my thoughts

 

Do all ‘21’s come with the tow package already installed? If so, anything under 4k will be fine. 3500lbs DRY seems to be about the sweet spot for these trucks. You CAN tow more than a 4K dry trailer(Multiple people on this site doing it) safely but it won’t be fun.

 

Yea, the weight is just fine. I’m saying if you poke around the towing section you can see a variety of trailers being towed. With reviews on how it’s going.

 

Idk pretty sure all the v6’s do

 

This ^

4,500 lbs loaded is about the real world capacity on a Tacoma. Yes it’ll tow more and you’d be fine but it won’t be fun. My camper is 5,000 lbs dry and the Tacoma really struggles and gets pushed around

 

When you calculate your weights, don’t exceed any of the values for tow vehicle or towed load. For me it works out to be about 80% of combined weight rating.

 

This information should be on your window sticker.

What is safe will depend heavily on your driving. If you are patient and keep the speed down, a 3000# camper should be fine, as it's well within the rating.

People who speed and drive aggressively while towing are dangerous no matter what they're towing.

 

Tow rating is how much weight your trucks drivetrain is rated to PULL. When manufacturers list tow ratings they assume a 150 lb driver in the truck with no other passengers or cargo. Most Tacoma's are rated for 6400-6500 lbs

The limiting factor is always Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and payload. GVWR is the maximum amount of weight the trucks suspension is rated for including any cargo and passengers inside the truck. Payload is determined by subtracting the trucks actual weight when it rolled off the assembly line from the GVWR. Payload varies by individual truck depending on many factors such as bed length, cab style, 4x4 vs 4X2, etc. but most Tacoma's fall between 1000-1300 lbs. The heavier your truck, the less available payload.

You just have to look at the stickers on the drivers door jamb to find your trucks payload. And if you've modified the truck with heavier bumpers, sliders, a winch, a cap, etc. those have to be accounted for too. If your truck is not stock you need to weigh it and subtract that number from GVWR to determine the true payload. My listed payload is 1200 lbs, but I have a 180 lb cap on the truck. My true payload is 1020 lbs.

Then you can start doing the math to determine how much weight YOUR truck can handle. Figure 13% of the trailers weight as tongue weight. A 5000 lb trailer would eat up 650 lbs of my available 1020 lb payload leaving me 370 lbs. I weigh 220, my wife 140. I could handle a 5000 lb trailer, but only if I don't carry anything else in my truck. If I didn't have the cap then I'd have another 180 lbs for cargo. Leave my wife at home and I have another 140 lbs, but she won't be happy.

Real world, around 4000-4500 is a sensible maximum, with 3000-3500 being more comfortable. If I needed to pull 6500 lbs I might do so for the rare trip for a short distance with nothing else in the truck. But I wouldn't go out and buy a 6500 lb travel trailer planning to use it on a regular basis.