Differences between payload and Maximum Towing Capacity?

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w1ngzer0
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someone needs to make a truck noob faq

Like for example:

Differences between payload and Maximum Towing Capacity?

Please someone explain the differences


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Ty SE-R_92B13
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Here ya go. I had put this in your General Chat thread first, but it belongs here.

w1ngzer0,

Be careful with those ratings. They are usually computed with the basic truck as light as possible, i.e. with no options and one 150# driver. The truck will have a fixed GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) and a GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) for towing.

The "payload" comes form the GVWR minus the actual weight of the truck. So as long as it's just you and you havn't added a bunch of amps and extra batteries, etc. then the amount you can actually carry may be close to what's published in the brochure. The best thing to do is take your truck to a certified scale and weigh it (full of fuel and loaded with driver and passenger or ballast). GVWR minus your actual weight = Payload.

The same with the tow rating. Truck weight plus trailer weight = GCWR. You have to be careful of the trailer tongue weight though, that gets added to the trucks weight. For instance, my trucks GVWR is 6600# and the GCWR is 13000#. My truck, loaded with family, fuel and firewood weighs ~5850#. In theory I would have an effective towing capacity of (GCWR 13000# - 5850#) of 7150#. My travel trailer weighs 6100# when we're loaded to camp for a week so I should be ok, right? Well, the tongue of the trailer weighs 650#. Added to the trucks weight of 5850# and now my truck is at 6500#, uncomfortably close to the 6600# GVWR. Could I tow the 8000# that is advertised in the brochure? IMO, not safely and not staying within the limitations of the truck.

Be careful with those ratings. More at http://rv.net/forum/Index.cfm/...0.cfm

Ty

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w1ngzer0
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confusing... lol.

Curb Weight: 3360 lbs. Gross Weight: 5104 lbs. Maximum Payload: 1744 lbs. Maximum Towing Capacity: 3500 lbs.

I figured with these specs i could load it with my room and my 240sx and be fine. Since my bedroom pieces are 3 boxes, a computer, some clothes,a small dresser, and a twin size bed.

The reason i am looking at a truck is it would be easier to move everywhere if i had one and i could make it a daily driver.

Or i could upgrade to the V6 model which has this

Curb Weight: 3425 lbsGross Weight: 5104 lbs.Maximum Payload: 1679 lbsMaximum Towing Capacity: 5000 lbs.

Whats your opinon on the matter? I know you said i should get it weighed but you seem to know what your talking about and these are just theories anyway. I just hope i can get a loan on one of these trucks. Would be nice to take apart the crappy 240sx. BTW these are toyota tacomas. I4 on top V6 on bottom. Both 4wd >:P

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Ty SE-R_92B13
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w1ngzer0 wrote:confusing... lol.

I figured with these specs i could load it with my room and my 240sx and be fine. Since my bedroom pieces are 3 boxes, a computer, some clothes,a small dresser, and a twin size bed.

The reason i am looking at a truck is it would be easier to move everywhere if i had one and i could make it a daily driver.

Curb Weight: 3360 lbs. Gross Weight: 5104 lbs. Maximum Payload: 1744 lbs. Maximum Towing Capacity: 3500 lbs.

Or i could upgrade to the V6 model which has this

Curb Weight: 3425 lbsGross Weight: 5104 lbs.Maximum Payload: 1679 lbsMaximum Towing Capacity: 5000 lbs.

Whats your opinon on the matter? I know you said i should get it weighed but you seem to know what your talking about and these are just theories anyway. I just hope i can get a loan on one of these trucks. Would be nice to take apart the crappy 240sx. BTW these are toyota tacomas. I4 on top V6 on bottom. Both 4wd >:P
The 240 plus the weight of a car trailer will easily be pretty close to the max tow rating (3500#) of the I4. Then you've still got all of your bedroom stuff to add to the bed of the truck. I'd get the V-6... and get it weighed.

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kc4x4
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payload is what you can put in your bed but towing is how much your truck can tow

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w1ngzer0
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would love a new tacoma V6. But new truck = expensive for future college kid :P

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Ty SE-R_92B13
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w1ngzer0 wrote:would love a new tacoma V6. But new truck = expensive for future college kid :P
http://www.uhaul.com/

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w1ngzer0
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lol owned :P


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