Staying below GVW (or trying).

[p1michaud]

After reading Tom Sheppard's article in Overland Journal on Loading and Lashing: Controlling and organizing cargo for maximum safety and efficiency, the gears started turning specifically with respect to GVW.

So for fun, how much weight do you need to shed on your Tacoma. The information in the attached spreadsheet is specific to 3.4L, Extended Cab Tacomas (95.5-04). With a bit of work, this could work for other rigs as well.

I though that this thread would lend itself well to this thread as well: How heavy is your Tacoma? especially when the time comes to selecting your suspension.

Sometimes you are better off not knowing...
Cheers,
P

 

[maxama10]

Nice spreadsheet!

Now, I was thinking, that tires and wheels were unsprung weight. Which wouldn't effect the payload capacity of the truck?

-Max

 

[Dave Bennett]

It's a good thing Toyotas are over-engineered...

 

[p1michaud]

Unsprung weight

Nice spreadsheet!

Now, I was thinking, that tires and wheels were unsprung weight. Which wouldn't effect the payload capacity of the truck?

-Max

Excellent question. I agree that four of them don't directly affect payload of the vehicle but they do count towards the overall weight of the vehicle. As you understand, the GVW and payload are directly related as follows:
Payload = GVW - weight of vehicle

Thus if the wheels and tires are heavier and count towards the weight of the vehicle, they reduce the payload. That was my reasoning. Additionally this approach is conservative. Thoughts or comments?

It's a good thing Toyotas are over-engineered...

Ditto! As I mentionned, Tom's article was very well written and informative thus made the old gears start turning. It was one of those times when you start looking at something a little close but you already know the answer!

Cheers,
P

 

[Brian894x4]

What concerns me is the earlier model trucks use the same frame as the 1 ton Hilux trucks and with the swapping out of proper springs can significantly exceed the U.S. spec GWV, which in stock 1/2 ton U.S. spec trim is already several hundred pounds higher than the Tacoma. 5350lb.

The Tacoma frame is a true 1/2 ton pick-up frame that was never designed to meet 1 ton specifications and being designed and built by Dana Corp, I don't know that it was that over engineered compared to Toyota Japan designed frames, so I'm wondering what problems might occure if the weight goes much over the GWV.

I see Scott's rig is pushing 3 tons, but he also has frame mods that might offset any risks going so far overweight. How common are Tacoma frame failures when overloaded? If at all? With my '89 SAS pick-up, loaded to the gills, plus armor, 35s and a ton of stuff, and 2 people, I've just barely approached about 5400lbs as my maximum all time weight. But that was a single cab, short bed truck.

I'm sure this has probably been hashed over many times before by the Tacoma guys, so forgive me for butting in late in the game.

 

[PHXtaco]

I worry about this too. With 2 people and full tanks, but no gear, my rig is at 4720. When I weighed it with full camp gear it tipped the scales at 5760 :yikes:
85,000 hard miles and no frame damage (yet).

 

[Sleeping Dog]

Weight

What concerns me is the earlier model trucks use the same frame as the 1 ton Hilux trucks and with the swapping out of proper springs can significantly exceed the U.S. spec GWV, which in stock 1/2 ton U.S. spec trim is already several hundred pounds higher than the Tacoma. 5350lb.

The Tacoma frame is a true 1/2 ton pick-up frame that was never designed to meet 1 ton specifications and being designed and built by Dana Corp, I don't know that it was that over engineered compared to Toyota Japan designed frames, so I'm wondering what problems might occure if the weight goes much over the GWV.

I see Scott's rig is pushing 3 tons, but he also has frame mods that might offset any risks going so far overweight. How common are Tacoma frame failures when overloaded? If at all? With my '89 SAS pick-up, loaded to the gills, plus armor, 35s and a ton of stuff, and 2 people, I've just barely approached about 5400lbs as my maximum all time weight. But that was a single cab, short bed truck.

I'm sure this has probably been hashed over many times before by the Tacoma guys, so forgive me for butting in late in the game.

The issue beyond whether the frame can handle the weight if the suspension is up graded, is can the brakes and drive train components successfully deal with the added weight. An interesting review would be comparing the part numbers of the Tacoma and the Hilux (assuming of course that the part numbering system is international).

Jim

 

[snipecatcher]

hey

I'm pretty sure I have frame damage on my Tacoma. The rear un-boxed portion is weak. I was just as hard on my '89 and never doubted its strength. With stock rear springs, handling goes out the window pretty quick with a load back there. There's always a compromise of course. You could put on some heavy springs, but then you have a bad ride. As of right now, I'm still working on building up my truck with armor and such, but weight is a major concern. Once I get the rear bumper, sliders, and skids done, my truck will be HEAVY. I think about this all the time. There has got to be a way to lighten things up while keeping the strength.
-Dan

 

[RockyMtnFamily]

The Tacoma frame is a true 1/2 ton pick-up frame that was never designed to meet 1 ton specifications and being designed and built by Dana Corp, I don't know that it was that over engineered compared to Toyota Japan designed frames, so I'm wondering what problems might occure if the weight goes much over the GWV.

What I am about to say has to do with ther older trucks, so take this with a grain of salt:

On my 1984 4x4 Long Bed model, I made several runs to load up landscaping rocks to bring home for decorating our yard. On one trip to the local landscaping yard, the owner expressed concern about putting a full yard of rock in my truck as a full yard weighed 3200 pounds (his report). I asked him to put a half yard in, then noticing I still had over an inch prior to hitting the bompstops had him put the other half yard in. The springs had still not bottomed out and I was safely able to drive home at 45-50 miles per hour.

That said, I have sold two pre 1985 Trucks to Guatemalan workers, one of which owned a coffee farm. The solid axle front end trucks are very popular down there for being able to take heavy loads repeatedly while handling the abuse with stellar results. The pre 85 (Solid Axle Front End) trucks are very popular in Central America for the work they can handle.

The newer IFS models however, are not as popular (in Guatemala or Central America) as they will not hold up to this same abuse. That said, I will still not hesitate to haul a ton of wood pellets or lumber home in my current IFS truck for projects, etc, around the house.

Again, take this information at your own risk and be aware that loading up your truck will affect the handling of the suspension. Be responsible and adjust your driving accordingly and I suspect you will have nothing to worry about with all the gear that you typically haul around for your backcountry or cross county pursuits.

Kevin