Different payload - specs vs. manual

So the 2015 Tacoma Brochure, web site, etc. etc. list the following payloads for V6 AT 4x4:

AC - 1360
DCSB - 1250
DCLB - 1215

Examining the other specs on the sheet these "payloads" are clearly GVWR - Curb Weight

See specs on page 24 of the PDF brochure here:

http://www.toyota.com/tacoma/ebrochure/

Meanwhile, the Owner's Manual lists these payloads:

AC - 1140
DCSB - 1040
DCLB - 1040

Now the Owner's Manual calls these numbers "Vehicle Capacity Weight (occupant + luggage)". See page 519, PDF available here:

http://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om/OM04001U/pdf/sec_6-1.pdf

Anyone know what is going on here? I presume the manual is just lazy and sloppy, not to mention conservative. The specs on the web and in the brochure are correct?

 

Indeed

But I'll be swapping out the rear leaf springs straight off the lot anyway to fix that. But while springs fix droop, technically they don't increase GVWR or payload...

 

To determine the actual payload weight, look at the sticker located on the inside of the drivers door. On my DCSB auto it is 1050 lbs.

 

Thanks ATHiker! Was hoping someone could check the sticker on their vehicle, seems to match the owner's manual.

Hmmm... So not sure what is up with the spec sheet and web site. Seems unlikely to be a typo - it is the same across model years.

Are the sticker and the owner's manual talking about something different than just GVWR minus curb weight? Like including some weight for a driver or something.

Confused....

 

Brochure numbers might be highest capacity for those specific models. As in the lightest of each model without the extras like 4wd.

 

That's what I thought at first, but comparing across all engines, drive trains, and cab types the spec sheet is always higher than the owner's manual. The tables in both are quite specific about engine, drive trains and such. Separate entries for pre-runner as well in fact.

You may be onto something about other accessories though. Perhaps the manual accounts for adding every possible option package to the truck. I wonder how much a tow package weighs for example?

Looking at some NHTSA stuff it appears the recommendation for the door labels and thus presumably the manual as well is to be conservative. The law requires the label to not show a value that would result in exceeding GVWR but it there is nothing wrong with showing a lower more conservative value.

Looking more closely at the tables there are some telling differences. These are for 4x4 versions:

Manual says AC I4 1200 and V6 1140 (doesn't differentiate between AT and MT)
Brochure says AC I4 1300 and V6 1360 for AT, has slightly higher numbers for MT

So manual says an I4 has higher payload and the brochure the opposite. Of course you can get a lot more goodies on a V6 and so the 120 lbs delta might be down to the possibility of the V6 carrying more and heavier options from the factory. The owner's manual going for the heaviest possibility and the brochure the lightest as you suggest.

 

Just replying to my own thread here so that if someone Googling five years from now comes across it...

So it seems very likely that the differences are mostly down to options. The specification sheet is using the base package, the manual probably the worst case options package. I've found a few cases of people weighing an optioned truck (like a TRD Off Road w/tow package) at a truck scale right after buying and indeed finding the curb weight to be higher than the spec sheet and as a result a reduced payload.

Interestingly when it comes to advertising it appears a few manufacturers (Ford and GM) have in the past basically been completely lying and advertising payloads for configurations missing spare tires, bumpers, center consoles and a variety of other things. So the next time someone complains and says the Colorado has 100 lbs more payload be sure to check if that includes "options" like the bumper, spare tire, passenger seats, wiper blades, etc. etc.

Link to article on the Ford/GM mini-scandal:

http://blog.caranddriver.com/for-shame-gm-joins-ford-in-gaming-pickup-truck-payload-ratings/