weight comparison: do these numbers make sense?

[s.e.charles]

struggling with the flat springs thing so i got my truck weighed today. door sticker says 5,600# GVW

tire sticker says "not to exceed 1,150#" load

ticket from weigh station says 4,800# MGV

i asked about the reading and the booth guy told me the system rounds up to "the next 20#" and that my actual weight was 4,783#.

truck had a full tank of gas & me inside (plus cap tools partial build in the bed)

Q: do these numbers make sense?

thinking about getting a second weight (from alternate source)

thanks

 

[tacollie]

Does the number seem like to you?

Flat springs are pretty common on Tacomas even with minimal weight.

 

[4000lbsOfGoat]

What kind of vehicle are we talking about here?

 

[s.e.charles]

2019 Tacoma 4 wd

 

[4000lbsOfGoat]

That sounds about right for a Gen 3 Tacoma. Mine weighed in at 5800 but mine is a fat pig....

 

[bkg]

tire sticker says "not to exceed 1,150#" load

tire sticker?

 

[s.e.charles]

the one that divides front & back weights and the size tires for given weight ratings. imma doin' the best i can trying to make sense out of this!

 

[Mickey Bitsko]

What's your payload? That will explain a lot.

 

[s.e.charles]

well, that's where my confusion lies.

door sticker says GVW = 5600#
other sticker says Max Load = 1150#

weigh station tag says = 4800#

so, i subtract load from GVW = 4450#

i assume that is my bare truck weight.

if i subtract bare weight 4450# from tag weight 4800# = 350# load existing

if i subtract 350# load from 1150# max load = 800# potential load / not yet added to vehicle

is this thinking correct? i am now 800# under GVW?

and if so, how can my rear springs be basically flat?

(2019 tacoma 4 wd - stock)

 

[Mickey Bitsko]

Do you know the history of the truck? Many people abuse tacomas thinking they are what they are not.
Might have had a rough early life.

 

[84-4runner]

good moring
this was an issue on the 2nd gen tacomas and a bulletion went out from toyota so if you went to the dealership and complained they
would do an upgrade to heavier duty springs. But still not enough. The cause was california drivers who complained the tacomas rode too rough.
So toyota went to lighter springs since too many buyers were not truck guys and wanted the truck for looks not truck use. I added firestone bags
so I could adjust the carrying capacity of the truck and keep it level. I had a camper shell and tow trailers etc. I sold it and bought a 3rd gen tacoma
and put rear firestone bags on that one also. I also put a camper shell on it. I tow a trailer with a side by side and off road trailers. I still regret selling
the 2nd gen since after driving both the 4 liter engine was a much better engine.

 

[gmtech]

flat springs common. doesn't mean toast. mine are almost flat with just topper on. the hauling capacity of these trucks is not much. remember its a 1/4ton truck lol not half ton...
all the stuff you added to bed and truck in general is weight whether you want it to be or not.. down to how many pens you have in the center console...

 

[tacollie]

In general all Toyotas sold in the US in the last 30 years have soft springs IMO. That's why I went with aftermarket options on 2 4runners, 4 Tacomas, 2 Tundras, and a Land Cruiser. Even the "fix" on the second gens was a joke. On the bright side you have 800lbs of payload left!

 

[Dances with Wolves]

I bought my '13 used in '14 with 24K on the clock. The springs were almost flat at that point. I added a topper soon after and the springs were negative arched within 5K. I went with OME Dakars. The stock springs are flaccid noodles.

 

[phsycle]

Springs are flat but not on the overload springs yet. You’re fine up to 800lbs more payload (formula is a simple 5,600lb GVWR - 4,800lb weight = 800lbs). But if you’re carrying weight on a regular basis, think about adding a leaf or getting a custom set.

And remember Tacoma’s are not work trucks. They are lifestyle trucks. Meant to carry canoes, camping gear, etc. So the springs are catered more towards that than HD work duties. Results in better ride. This is what America wanted, so Toyota dropped the Hilux in US and created the Tacoma.