payload capacity

I went with the HD wheelers and pulled a leaf from each pack. I don't exceed capacity, but I didn't want too much squat when pulling a camper.

It started out lifting the rear about an inch, but settled. I'd say it looks about the same height as a stock Tacoma 4-leaf pack. It should be a bit more firm than the toyota 4-pack.

I did put a set of icon c/o in the front to bring the truck just about level.

I didn't want to go the airbag route because I wanted the spring to be ale to droop off road.

The wheelers set up like I have them will droop enough to tear the brake line I bet, so plan to get a longer rear brake line.

 

I'm at 90k miles on a '06. I've loaded over 1ton once, and about 4-5 times a year I'm right at (probably over) the 1400ish GVWR. So far no problems aside from the sagging leafs. Which are getting replaced next summer

 

There's the listed rating and it's there for a variety of reasons. Stress on the frame/bakes/handling of the vehicle, legal reasons, and others. Every system is designed to have some over-capacity since material quality varies or has a chance of varying.

So hauling 2,000 lbs might not make the frame snap or bearings go out right then but it certainly will decrease the service life of the load bearing and drivetrain components.

That being said if it was once a year or less I probably wouldn't worry about overloading the bed (if the trip is short and local). If it's more often or a longer trip then I'll get a trailer or start looking at other trucks.

 

A former coworker of mine took his new 2010 tacoma and filled the box up with top soil, it was riding on the bumps. Over the course of a weekend he distributed the top soil over his lawn. It was still on the bumps when he was finished and the box was empty...

He took it to the dealership and they told him nothing was wrong with it lol. He had to convince them that the truck is not supposed to ride on the bump stops. Anyway after he fought with them for a few days he got them to replace the rear suspension and then he traded it in for a Tundra not long after that.

In my area lots of guys put airbags on the rear of their truck so that they can carry two sleds on a sled deck, or a side by side in the box. Yup side by side as in polaris rzr or can am commander lol. Anyway air bags are super common for people who tow so I'm sure increasing your payload a bit is safe as long as you're within reason.

 

I am, to my knowledge, the King of exceeding payload capacity on these trucks. Before I say what I have done with my truck I would say, if you want to know 'can it be done"? the answer is yes, but "should it be done?" NO. I have not bent or broken anything on this truck doing what I do. But loading 3800lbs into the bed and driving it anywhere is wrong and unsafe....but it can be done. I think I would agree with one of the earlier posters in saying that the true failure point of these components is higher than they are rated at.

This is a yard of 3/4 blue with ten bags of decorative rock plus the rack and shell 3800lbs. Kids, I am a deranged professional, please don't try this at home

 

Dodgam!
Getten er dun did!

 

Don't feel so bad about taking her to the limit anymore

 

What did you have going on for the rear suspension! doesnt look like she is sagging at all!

 

beast, almost 4000 lbs... I am impressed

 

Before I loaded my camper on the truck I got the truck weighed.


I was in the truck, 185lbs. when weighed, another 20lbs. in the cab and a 20lb. bed mat in the back. Gas tank was full. After loading the camper, 540lbs., hooking up a trailer, and adding the wife I was 70lbs over gross @ 5420lbs. I was about an inch off the bump stops. I had the Road Master Active suspension system on the truck set for a 20% boost. After one trip I looked under and could tell the bump stops were coming in contact with the frame. I've since removed the Road Master systems and installed air bags. I was considering replace the stock 3 leaf springs some heavier after market springs in addition to the air bags, but after watching a program where a 1 ton Chevy dually was fitting with a Firestone air system I decided on just air bags. On the Chevy the heavy duty springs were removed and replaced with weak single leaf springs and some big air bags with on board compressor. The results were the Chevy could be lowered, backed under a 5th wheel, then raised to pick up the 5th wheel. Now whenever I load I adjust the air bags to bring the truck back to stock height.

 

OK, so I know the capacity is 1200#'s give or take and I've read everything about "could vs should" and all that. I'm going to make a 30 mile trip to a garden center to buy some biobricks on saturday. I could buy 1/2 a pallet or a full pallet, the full pallet is about $40 cheaper than the 1/2 pallet per brick. There are 1000 bricks on a full pallet and that adds up to about 2000#'s.

SO...would it be stupid to make a single trip (30 miles, mainly 2 lane roads but a little 4 lane highway) with a 2000# load?

Or make 2 trips (120 miles total) with only 1/2 pallet each trip?

I'm all stock but have a set of helwig helper springs installed.

 

IMO you'd be fine... But I'm sure some will disagree. Just make sure to have them load it slowly, and watchtower the springs, if you look like you're gonna be ridin the bumps (which you probably will) then know you're gonna have to take it extra slow.

 

DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT DO IT!!!
Maximum gross weight rating(passengers plus cargo) is 5500lbs.
Empty weight approx(no passengers) = 4000lbs
Payload max = approx 1200lbs

(these are approx #'s for dbl cabs)

I believe 2000lbs will even exceed the helper springs limit.

Heck, why not rent a Home Depot truck cheap and risk their truck instead?

 

I was going to recommend a trailer but by the OP's post, he seems to be going the frugal route.

 

I love it. I know it isn't safe and you shouldn't, but for some reason it is nice to see somebody using the truck like people used to. Just don't be stupid and leave lots of extra space.

I put air bags on after pulling my boat for a year, it makes a huge difference and now think Toyota should make it an option from the factory. Since installed I have pulled several trailers around 4500# - 5000# on the freeway 2 lane roads, and into fields. It is great to not have the back of the truck hang down, seems much more stable. Can't say enough good things about air bags. Makes these great trucks resemble the older ones as far as capability.

 

I have about 1200-1500 lbs of payload in my taco 30 % of the time. My truck is rated @ 1050 lbs payload. I've got the full OME setup (including Dakars) and airbags @ 50 PSI when loaded. It handles great both on an off road with the extra weight. I have 19K trouble free miles.

Disclaimer:
I do not recommend modifying or overloading any vehicles. Although it can be done, doesn't mean it needs to. (sometimes I wish I took my own advice)!