Trying to understand payload
I have a travel trailer already but I want to buy a tow vehicle so before I go out and buy I want to understand thoroughly. I am starting with payload. I am looking at a 2007 Tundra 5.7L VV8 4 door ...
Forum Discussion
You got the right idea. However, be aware that the posted payload rating for your truck (1580 lbs) may not be all that accurate as the dealer may have installed some options or maybe even you have.
Your best bet is go down to your local scale and weigh your truck with a full tank of gas and without you in it. Then subtract that amount from your truck's GVWR and that's what you will have for an "actual" payload figure.
Then EVERYTHING you put in or on it...will reduce that figure by that amount. When we had our Tundra and a 26' TT, we weighed everything on a bath room scale...even the tongue weight....to make sure we were within limits. I gotta admit, there were times when we were several hundred pounds over the payload, but the truck handle it pretty good. We did, however, eventually installed a supercharger on the engine for another 100 hp or so. Made a big difference on the hills/mountains.
Ron
Your best bet is go down to your local scale and weigh your truck with a full tank of gas and without you in it. Then subtract that amount from your truck's GVWR and that's what you will have for an "actual" payload figure.
Then EVERYTHING you put in or on it...will reduce that figure by that amount. When we had our Tundra and a 26' TT, we weighed everything on a bath room scale...even the tongue weight....to make sure we were within limits. I gotta admit, there were times when we were several hundred pounds over the payload, but the truck handle it pretty good. We did, however, eventually installed a supercharger on the engine for another 100 hp or so. Made a big difference on the hills/mountains.
Ron
