3rd gen payload compared to other midsized options

So im a first time truck owner and im still learning alot but something here just doesnt seem right to me so please enlighten me. I have a 2017 OR DCLB with some personalization mods (minimal weight) and and a truck cap. My door sticker says my payload is 950lbs....my cap weighs about 150lbs and i weigh just under 200lbs. So toyota is saying after putting a cap on and sitting in my vehicle that i have 600lbs for passengers/gear before i overload my TRUCK? I know this is no super duty to say the least but 600 pounds is only enough weight to seat passengers in the rest of the cab with an empty bed...if they are on a diet...i mean its a truck not a rav4, right?

The new jeep gladiator, ford ranger and the chevy colorado have slightly higher but comparable towing ratings depending on the trim (which isnt a huge deal to me) but all have about 1600lbs of payload. Thats a huge improvement from 950lbs...

Is it just that Tacoma's come with crappy leaf springs? Is it as simple at getting some better rear suspension components? It seems like it has enough power and stopping ability to tow much more (relative to the low payload). Also i see guys on here with easily 600lbs of armor and gear on the truck so is everyone just riding max/over max capacity all the time?

Thanks for any information.

PS: I have read mixed reports do DAKAR leaf springs increase the payload or not?

 

Nothing you can do will increase payload capacity. That is set by the manufacturer and involves suspension, frame, structure, drivetrain, brakes etc.
All springs do is keep you from sagging as much.

Edit:
Just looked up Colorado. Crew Cab payload is 1120 to 1560 lbs depending on options.
Everything beats the Ranger and Gladiator as they do not exist. When they do, expect payloads to be comparable to the Colorado and the Tacoma.
Every vehicle has a max. As you add (topper, gear, people) you total the weight up and subtract from max.

 

I don’t think you read the right thing it should be around 1440

 

You'll notice that ALL manufacturers will advertise "up to xxxxlbs payload", and that number is generally for a 4x2 base model, extended cab/regular cab and no options.

A 4x2 Tacoma SR has a payload of about 1600lbs, you lose a couple hundred for adding 4x4, double cab knocks off some more, DCLB reduces even more, and so on and so forth.

A Colorado or ranger or whatever similarly equipt to your truck will probably have a payload within a hundred lbs or so of yours.

 

Your gvwr is not changed with any leafpack. Your truck is rated to the posted number on the door sticker. Do many overload? Yes

And yes, tacomas have crap rear leafs

 

Choose your passengers wisely

 

Depends on what model and what extra options were installed but a 4x4 V6 DCLB will never have a 1440lb payload.

 

Just for comparison:

F150 is 1326lb in a configuration like our doublecab.

 

This chart seems more reasonable...I'm curious why my door sticker says 950lbs but the chart 4x4 DCLB is 1120

 

You got tube steps? Bed mat? Tow package? Tonnueau cover? Any and all accessories add weight and reduce payload

 

Maybe the dealer stuck it on there because he thought you weighed about 500 pounds

 

My sticker says 1160 ...

I'm installing SumoSprings very soon for those (occasional) times I go over that ...

 

I’m guessing some combination of factory and port added components. The PDF for my truck shows a payload of 1295lbs but my door sticker says 1200lbs.

 

no thats the strange thing, it only came with mud flaps and floor mats haha nothing extra to add weight...but ill believe the 1120...stupid ratings are usually very conservative anyway.

 

haha he must have seen my wife!.....o boy good thing she isnt on here!

 

that's what i did back in 04/16 if pulling my camper #1800 lbs and trip gear + #300 /full family (4)on trips/ and yes i am maxed out, maybe a few #100 over on big trips and , well crap if my old 97 dodge intrepid with a 3.5 and 160K miles on it could do it then whey the hell can't my truck !

 

Many are just over loaded .

As others have mentioned you can't actually increase gvwr legally without engineers involved.

But if you consider what determines it you can illegally increase.

The main things are likely braking, frame capacity, suspension, tires and axles/driveline.

When you consider the brakes are good for gvwr plus a 1500lbs unbraked trailer they're likely good to a higher capacity.
Axles there's a thread where one member found their ratings and they can handle a lot more . Don't recall exact numbers though

Driveline consider what it can tow.
Frame has to be considered as well.

Realistically though much of the gvwr is often based on suspension and tires.
And most ratings are very conservative.

But unless you're paying an engineer to sign off on it, you should know if you over load and something happens and it's pointed to as cause you will be held accountable.


For what it's worth I have upgraded suspension etc. Unloaded no gear I'm 5400lbs so roughly 300lbs shy of the gvwr of my dcsb off road.

Loaded in probability close to 6000lbs. Some guys are probably towards the 7000lbs mark and still fine.

 

Could you spec an F150 with a payload that low? Sure, pick a crew cab 4x4 with the 3.3l v6 or the 2.7 Ecoboost without the payload package and with a bunch of options (maybe a Lariat or an XLT with all the options). Of course, if you have the 3.5 Ecoboost or 5.0, typical payload for a crew cab 4x4 with lots of options tends to be around 1800lb (mine is 1818lb).

I didn't bother checking what the payload is on the Tacoma because if I need to tow anything, I'll use the Ford. If I need to haul anything heavy, I'll use the Ford...

 

I made it as apples to apples that I could get. Not perfect, but close. V6, crew cab, 4wd, etc.

 

Ok that makes sense to me. Nobody is getting an engineer to sign off on an increase but I just wanted to know if I'm hovering around the max what I can do to help the truck a little bit/increase what it could handle. I think I'll look into a new leaf pack and front springs. I really love my tacoma otherwise. I actually shopped it against the f150 and ultimately decided the towing was enough for me and liked the drivability/reliability/resale value over the Ford. Realizing how low the payload is made me second guess myself for a bit. I'll just give the suspension a refresh now.

Thanks for the info