Ok so I've read a bunch about tongue weight being an issue with 1/2 tons and toyhaulers. My 2015 tundra crewmax 4x4 has a payload cap of 1555lbs. So what should I consider my max tongue weight? Assuming I carry next to nothing in the bed and two adults and one child in the cab..question- does passenger weight not get distributed to the front axle as well?

Toyota Tundra 2015 wrote:10. Before towing, confirm your vehicle and trailer are compatible, hooked up and loaded properly and that you have any necessary additional equipment. Do not exceed any Weight Ratings and follow all instructions in your Owner’s Manual. The maximum you can tow depends on base curb weight plus the total weight of any cargo, occupants, and added vehicle equipment. “Added vehicle equipment” includes additional standard/optional equipment and accessories added by the manufacturer, dealers, and/or vehicle owners. The only way to be certain of your vehicle’s exact curb weight is to weigh your vehicle without passengers or cargo.What is your actual payload or have you weighed your truck?Let the dead horse beating begin.

Txsurfer you need to pull out your owners manual and check it out. It should cover towing and maximum payloads and weights. Then once you understand that then you need to take just your truck with a full tank of fuel to a some scales. Usually you can find some CAT weight scales near a truck stop. Get your axle weights, and combined weight. Then you can compare your real numbers to what's in the owners manual and determine your maximum payload. You'll also want to look at your tires to be sure they align with the maximum payload too. Hit up google for, how to determine my trucks payload capacity. Plenty to read and learn from.

In your case, your limitation is not payload, but the rated capacity of the factory installed, OEM Class IV receiver on your Tundra (of course, I'm assuming you have one). Typically, Toyota sets the maximum tongue weight capacity at 10% of the tow capacity, or approx. 1000-1050 lbs.---WITH the use of a properly adjusted weight distribution hitch. Without a WDH, it drops to approx. 500-550 lbs.

Txsurfer wrote:Ok so I've read a bunch about tongue weight being an issue with 1/2 tons and toyhaulers. My 2015 tundra crewmax 4x4 has a payload cap of 1555lbs. So what should I consider my max tongue weight? Assuming I carry next to nothing in the bed and two adults and one child in the cab..question- does passenger weight not get distributed to the front axle as well?Your payload capacity is not your GRAW....in other words, the payload capacity is in regards to all the "extra" weight being put on the truck, regardless of the location. In the cab, in the bed, on the front bumper....it all applies to the payload capacity.RAWR is the amount of weight applied directly to the rear axle...typically "most" of the weight on the bed of the truck.So, add up the people weight (all three) and ANYTHING else you have put on the truck (accessories, tools, ...etc) and subtract that from your door jam posted payload capacity. What's left over is the max tongue weight the trailer can have.Of course, loading a truck to its maximum ratings is NOT a good idea. Things will break or wear out much sooner than normal. In addition it can create safety issues. Most will only load to 80% of capacity.

lanerd wrote: . . . So, add up the people weight (all three) and ANYTHING else you have put on the truck (accessories, tools, ...etc) and subtract that from your door jam posted payload capacity. What's left over is the max tongue weight the trailer can have . . .If the receiver in question is rated to handle the "left over" weight, yes. Otherwise, no. To clarify: Let's say the "left over" weight is 1250 lbs. If the OP's receiver is only rated by the manufacturer to handle 1000-1050 lbs. of tongue weight, then your suggestion would not be applicable.

lets beat a dead horse again..Tundra tongue weight max

15 Replies

Txsurfer
Explorer
Oct 21, 2015
Thanks OTR - what make/model is your TH for REF? And how does you truck handle the 1000# of tongue weight?
otrfun
Explorer II
Oct 21, 2015
Txsurfer wrote:
I am hoping to find something in the 600-700# range so I am thinking 24'box length and less.
Shouldn't be too difficult finding a 24' TT with 600-700 lbs. of realworld, loaded tongue weight; however, a 18-24' TH with 600-700 lbs. of realworld, loaded tongue weight? Very difficult.

My toy hauler has a 17-18 ft. box (21.5' overall) and has a loaded, vacation-ready tongue weight of approx. 950-1000 lbs. Loaded axle weight is 6200 lbs. (total TH weight 7,200 lbs.). This is with every heavy item (toys & gear) loaded on top of and behind the TH axles( exception: generator, batteries & propane). BTW, manufacturer spec'd the EMPTY tongue weight at 725-775 lbs.

We could have purchased a larger toy hauler for the same price we paid for the above TH. But, due to payload and OEM receiver ratings, we settled for a smaller TH with lower tongue weight for safety reasons.

BTW, my TV is a '12 Tundra DC 5.7. FWIW, all 2007-2016 Tundra 5.7's with the OEM tow package have the same frame & drivetrain.
Txsurfer
Explorer
Oct 20, 2015
I am hoping to find something in the 600-700# range so I am thinking 24'box length and less.
Bedlam
Moderator
Oct 19, 2015
Torklift makes a 15k lb SuperHitch for 2008 and newer Tundras. If you have sufficient payload reserve, you can tow a trailer with up to 1500 lbs of weight distributed tongue weight.

http://www.torklift.com/index.php/products/towing/superhitch-receiver-hitches/superhitch-hero-15k
TexasChaps
Explorer
Oct 19, 2015
I posed this question to Toyota and they stated
1000 lbs max
otrfun
Explorer II
Oct 19, 2015
allcool wrote:
Think I remember seeing a Tundra towing the space shuttle...
If you look closely at the dolly they used to tow the Shuttle, you'll notice payload and tongue weight were not much of an issue . . . only tow capacity---300,000 lbs.

They probably adjusted the dolly to place just enough weight on the rear wheels to sustain traction--I'd guess no more than 600-700 lbs.

The Tundra torque converter should get all the credit for the Shuttle tow IMO. Can't imagine what the transmission fluid temps were during that pull.
Strabo
Explorer
Oct 19, 2015
allcool wrote:
Think I remember seeing a Tundra towing the space shuttle...

Ive never seen a Toyota towing a hauler in Japan. Something to consider.
allcool
Explorer
Oct 19, 2015
Think I remember seeing a Tundra towing the space shuttle...
KD4UPL
Explorer II
Oct 18, 2015
Since you stated your payload was 1,555 I know you haven't weighed the truck. You must weigh the truck to know your real life payload. Fill it with fuel, put the family in, add in whatever else you would have in the bed when towing: bikes, firewood, grill, coolers, tools, etc.
Everything subtracts from payload: winches, stereo amplifiers, toolboxes, etc.
Subtract the scale weight from the GVWR, that's your payload.
Txsurfer
Explorer
Oct 18, 2015
Got it thanks guys..