Cargo Capacity Curiosity

I have a cargo capacity question!

If I understand it correctly, the stated cargo capacity listed on our vehicles is based on a number of build factors (i.e. suspension, shocks, springs, tires and more) determined by the brain trust at Toyota.

Conversely, should those items be upgraded (i.e. heavier duty suspension, springs, tires, etc.), does that increase the cargo capacity? And if so, who determines that? Toyota? The dealer?

If not, does that mean that most of these builds we do to our Tacomas make us illegal in the eyes of insurance companies, clever lawyers, etc.?

No matter how hard I research this topic, it’s hard to get straight answers. At least one that I understand.

TIA

 

Whoa, go by what’s in the manual, don’t overthink it so much.

 

Upgrades do not add capacity, and you’ll never get Toyota to sign off on it.

As far as legality goes, it seems to be a gray area. Insurance is there to cover for your screwups, but I think if you were grossly out of line they’d probably find a way out.

 

I bet you're the type of guy that doesn't take no for an answer. Or, you don't accept the explanation given to you. Like the previous guy said, don't over think it. Just enjoy the fucking truck.

 

GVWR.
Look at the tag on your door jamb sticker. It will tell you front and rear max weights.
Go to a truck weigh scale that is closed, or go to the one at the dump or transfer station near you!
Weigh the front and rear axle (if possible, easier done at the truck scale), as well as both axles/total vehicle weight on the scale and record your weights with whatever paraphernalia you normally carry in your truck, a half tank of gas or better, and you in the drivers seat.
This is your baseline.
Subtract this weight from the GVWR and this is your payload capacity (tongue weight of a trailer and passengers are considered payload.)
Make sure that you don't exceed the weight rating over either axle (highly unlikely to weigh over on the front axle).
Factors that affect capacity are whatever options add weight to the vehicle. A 2wd manual transmission or 4cyl auto Tacoma Access cab will have the highest payload.

 

Why is everyone worked up? OP hasn’t even responded!!!

Stop getting all worked up!!

Quiet!!

Stop yelling!!!

 

you left the Fed out of your equation, once the model specs are registered and accepted with them they are set in stone

 

Fair enough! I do that from time to time! Thanks for the response!

 

Sorry! Thought it was a fair question. I am indeed enjoying the truck!

 

sorry! Didn’t think I was yelling!

 

YOU WERENT, ALL CAPS IS YELLING!

 

You can actually load a lot more in your ‘Taco as long as you are careful and don’t drive aggressively. Things can get dicey once your rear axle is resting on the bump stops. One reason why I installed Sumo Springs.

Let’s say you’re doing a local run to Home Despot and back for pavers and sand. You’ll be fine. Just take it easy.

 

All caps is yelling. Exclamation mark is emphatic, but not YELLING!

 

I upgraded to sumo springs as well and have done many trips way over the max weight limit of the truck.

My record so far is 1800 lbs in the bed.

Edit: I guess I should contribute besides just saying I can overload the truck bed lol. The sumo springs help a lot with smoothing out the ride with any weight in the bed.
I work in construction and about once a month I will "technically" have my truck overloaded. The sumo springs get rid of the harsh hits that you experience when you normally hit your bump stops.
They install super easy all you need is a jack, basic socket set, and a torque wrench.

 

functional capacity can be increased with suspension, brakes, upgrades (look at the truckhouse camper monstrosity for an extreme example)

legal capacity is what is on the drivers door jamb.

 

Straight answer. No, you cannot change the legal GVW rating no matter what you do.
Somebody above said only Toyota can do this but that is incorrect. A 3rd party certified coach builder can assume liability and change GVW. Think school buses and utility bed conversions.
You can mod your truck for more weight but be warned... Warranty goes away and, if you were ever in an accident and wanted to sue somebody like Toyota, they will absolutely laugh at you. You carry more weight, you accept the responsibility.

 

Thanks for the clear response! It doesn’t take much to exceed the GVWR in these trucks. I’m not sure many people know that. Especially stinks if no matter what you do, that number doesn’t really change.

 

The question I always get stuck on here is - how do we, the end user , know what the limitation is? We see a lot about spring upgrades around here, but does anyone have a grasp of what other less obvious limitations are - brakes, frame, etc?

 

we, the royal end user, don't know, and car makers will never tell us.

Therefore there are two and only two schools of opinion.

A: the door sticker is ironclad gospel. Never, ever, ever blaspheme against the sticker. People will instantly die and you will serve life in prison for every road mishap that has ever happened in this nation if you violate payload by a tenth of a gram. Choose your breakfast carefully, because that extra slice of toast counts as part of your payload.

Or

B: The sticker is a suggestion by stupid lawyers who hate lawsuits from stupid drivers. I am a smarter, more skilled driver than anyone who has ever driven before or since, therefore I can load my truck like the Kenworth tractor that it was born to be. I did it once and didn't cause a wreck, therefore I can do it every time. It's not a real truck until the rear differential plows a groove into the asphalt from the incredibly manly load that it's bearing.


There is no gray ground on this. Pick your side and defend it to the death.