Toyota advertised TE payload capacity discrepancy?

[apollo]

Despite a call and email to Toyota several months ago when I noticed the payload of my TE was substantially less than advertised on the website, Toyota still lists the TE as having a 1550lb payload in the comparison tool on their website.

What am I missing? i have a base model TE (only option is NAV), and door sticker is less than 900 lbs.

this is not a small difference, no matter the reasoning (i've read it has to do with the e locker, but TE has this standard)

what gives?

 

[Mooney]

Despite a call and email to Toyota several months ago when I noticed the payload of my TE was substantially less than advertised on the website, Toyota still lists the TE as having a 1550lb payload in the comparison tool on their website.

What am I missing? i have a base model TE (only option is NAV), and door sticker is less than 900 lbs.

this is not a small difference, no matter the reasoning (i've read it has to do with the e locker, but TE has this standard)

what gives?

Don't know for sure in your case, however in my experience manufactures usually list a payload capacity based on gross weight minus the most stripped vehicle, usually not available. Your sticker should represent the vehicles payload based on its current weight as configured.

 

[apollo]

Don't know for sure in your case, however in my experience manufactures usually list a payload capacity based on gross weight minus the most stripped vehicle, usually not available. Your sticker should represent the vehicles payload based on its current weight as configured.

it doesn't. the gvwr minus the actual curb weight is much closer to 1550. I weighed at CAT scales with a slip. as mentioned, no options other than NAV.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Those TE badges and switches weigh a lot?

 

[Lexusbstrdchild]

Buy a diesel?

 

[Donkey]

These numbers have a bit of marketing spin in them.

The weight is listed as 4750 pounds, this is with the absolute minimal fuel and fluid load, oem tires and everything not required to make the vehicle work (spare tire, jack, driver, etc) removed. The "wet" actual weight will be higher with you in it and a full tank of gas, it will chip away at the 6300 pound GVWR. Most reviews that list as tested weight are a few hundred lbs heavier.

Pretty normal in the industry...marketing and lawyers cause all sorts of problems!

 

[Intruder]

Those TE badges and switches weigh a lot?

There aren't any TE badges though. Must be the hood scoop!

 

[apollo]

These numbers have a bit of marketing spin in them.

The weight is listed as 4750 pounds, this is with the absolute minimal fuel and fluid load, oem tires and everything not required to make the vehicle work (spare tire, jack, driver, etc) removed. The "wet" actual weight will be higher with you in it and a full tank of gas, it will chip away at the 6300 pound GVWR. Most reviews that list as tested weight are a few hundred lbs heavier.

Pretty normal in the industry...marketing and lawyers cause all sorts of problems!

but it's not though, the vehicle with fuel, passenger, etc. weighs under 4900 lbs, i'll have to find the slip to confirm

the curb weight is definitely less than 5,000 lbs with fuel and my wife and kids, as measured at a verified CAT scales location

 

[apollo]

Your sticker should represent the vehicles payload based on its current weight as configured.

the difference between the current weight as configured, per scales, and the gvwr is much closer to 1550 than the 800+lbs listed on the sticker--this is what doesn't compute

 

[apollo]

Those TE badges and switches weigh a lot?

as a technician, what are your thoughts on why the door sticker payload is substantially less (about 650-700lbs less) than the measured difference between actual curb weight and GVWR listed?

 

[Mooney]

it doesn't. the gvwr minus the actual curb weight is much closer to 1550. I weighed at CAT scales with a slip. as mentioned, no options other than NAV.

Did you get your trucks empty weight at scales?

 

[apollo]

Did you get your trucks empty weight at scales?

no, the weight i have from the scales is with my wife, two kids, and their car seats, full tank of fuel, plus everything that came on the vehicle, and after new tires

 

[apollo]

Here is an earlier thread discussing this issue, with some discussion on a safety factor de-rating the payload because of the e-locker:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/131176-low-er-te-cargo-weight-limit.html

I'm curious why, if this is indeed the case, Toyota still knowingly advertises the 1550 payload.

 

[apollo]

Just pulled the CAT slip to verify the weight:

4860lb Gross Weight

(full tank of fuel, wife, two kids, their car seats, and with new tires. i was standing off the scales up on the base of the microphone post pushing the button to talk to the operator)

 

[Donkey]

It is just semantics, advertising and a bit of safety information. The owners manual explains it well under the driving information and specification sections.

You can be over the cargo capacity on the sticker (835 pounds for a trail edition vs. 1165 pounds for SR5/Limited) but less than the total GVWR or axle limits, it just has to be properly distributed - introducing tongue weight, roof capacity, cargo area capacity and occupants are all variables. My Trail has a yellow sticker noting to extra 12 pounds to deduct for the rear cargo tray, they must have a good reason for doing this.

Admittedly strange that the Trail edition has a higher GVWR and less cargo capacity with the same frame, brakes, suspension and power train. This is likely due to tested and engineered limits of traction, roll-over risk and durability when fully loaded, locked and pulling a trailer forwards or backwards on a boat ramp or on the rubicon.

 

[apollo]

It is just semantics, advertising and a bit of safety information. The owners manual explains it well under the driving information and specification sections.

You can be over the cargo capacity on the sticker (835 pounds for a trail edition vs. 1165 pounds for SR5/Limited) but less than the total GVWR or axle limits, it just has to be properly distributed - introducing tongue weight, roof capacity, cargo area capacity and occupants are all variables. My Trail has a yellow sticker noting to extra 12 pounds to deduct for the rear cargo tray, they must have a good reason for doing this.

Admittedly strange that the Trail edition has a higher GVWR and less cargo capacity with the same frame, brakes, suspension and power train. This is likely due to tested and engineered limits of traction, roll-over risk and durability when fully loaded, locked and pulling a trailer forwards or backwards on a boat ramp or on the rubicon.

Thanks Donkey, this is similar to my interpretation, but I don't agree the manual explains it clearly or fully.

My truck that i owned before this one was pretty clear in that my payload capacity was GVWR minus Curb weight as delivered. Simple and easy and the math added up. Of course i had to adhere to the axle ratings and trailer tongue weight on the hitch. Perhaps other makers also use this method like Toyota, I've just not seen it before.

 

[Donkey]

this is similar to my interpretation, but I don't agree the manual explains it clearly or fully

I find the manual to be frustrating to read. Just think like an engineer without native english who is limited by product marketing and lawyers.

I need to open it in full adobe and remove everything that is a warning, leaving only factual instructional information related to vehicle operation.

 

[apollo]

I find the manual to be frustrating to read. Just think like an engineer without native english who is limited by product marketing and lawyers.

I need to open it in full adobe and remove everything that is a warning, leaving only factual instructional information related to vehicle operation.

haha, i'll try this

happy thanksgiving everyone, i'm out

 

[3wbdriver]

I made a 1400 mile round trip in early October with my TE loaded out to 5,840 with me (275 lbs) in it. Like you I got curious and ran it across the scales at a Pilot after I filled it up. It rode soft like a 74 Cadillac but handled fine. And the rear end barely showed any settling from the load. The 2nd row seats were folded down and it was packed to the top of the seat backs from front to rear and had maybe 100 - 150 lbs of camping stuff on the roof rack. With 4 people in yours including the kids I think you'll run out of space before you run out of load capability.

ETA: I must admit this has thrown me off a little. I have thought all along that the dry weight was 4600. But several different sources online have it at 4400. I plucked the data below directly off the Edmunds website.

Weights and Capacities
MAXIMUM TOWING CAPACITY** 4700 lbs. MAXIMUM PAYLOAD** 1700 lbs.
EPA INTERIOR VOLUME 144.5 cu.ft. GROSS WEIGHT 6100 lbs.
DRAG COEFFICIENT 0.36 Cd CURB WEIGHT 4400 lbs.
ANGLE OF APPROACH 30.0 degrees ANGLE OF DEPARTURE 26.0 degrees
CARGO CAPACITY, ALL SEATS IN PLACE 47.2 cu.ft. MAXIMUM CARGO CAPACITY 89.7 cu.ft.
** When adequately equipped, which may require engine and/or other drivetrain upgrades.

Toyota dot com has the 2015 Trail's curb weight at 4750, and heavier than both the SR5 and Limited.

http://www.toyota.com/4runner/features.html#!/weights_capacities/8642/8670/8648

 

[Skookum]

2016 TRD Pro Payload

I found the same issue as the OP. The advertised payload of the TRD is 1550 lbs. When I checked the door sticker it listed 835 lbs! I called Toyota and gave them my VIN number and they were able to confirm that the payload was indeed 1550 lbs. The women I spoke to gave some sort of BS statement about how the door sticker was for the lowest possible payload among all models/configurations of 4Runners. This doesn't seem helpful at all it just sounds like Toyota covering their ass.

Anyway, they did send me an official email listing my VIN and confirming that the payload is 1550 lbs so that was nice. If any of you are concerned low payload numbers listed on the TE/TRD I wouldn't worry too much.