andrewleader
Active member
- First Name
- Andrew
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2024
- Threads
- 8
- Messages
- 25
- Reaction score
- 48
- Location
- Washington State
- Vehicle(s)
- 2024 Tacoma Off-Road 5' Automatic with Stabilizer Dsconnect
- Thread starter
- #1
So I've noticed something odd about the GVWR and payload of the various models. I'm looking at specifically the 5' bed double-cab Off Road, Off Road Hybrid, and Pro models... (I own the standard Off-Road).
What's interesting is that the GVWR seems to increase despite no suspension or brake changes... am I missing something?
Looking at the Off Road standard vs Hybrid, the hybrid system (and 32" tires) adds 400 lbs to the curb weight, yet the GVWR increases by 495 lbs despite the suspension and brakes being identical? I looked them up on parts websites, they didn't have different brake or suspension part numbers for those two different models.
And then for the Pro vs OR Hybrid, the Pro adds an additional 70 lbs of equipment, yet the GVWR increases by 35 lbs. It does get different suspension, so that could explain it.
ChatGPT had a few theories that could explain these increases in GVWR without seemingly much mechanical change...
I'm guessing it's primary marketing reasons, and maybe acceleration/MPG reasons... if they all do indeed truly have the same GVWR of 6,780, then the non-hybrid OR would have a payload capacity of 2,150 lbs, while the Pro would only have a payload capacity of 1,680. That wouldn't look good for the Pro!
Is there an actual limiting factor I'm missing on the non-hybrid OR that causes it to get such a lower GVWR? Or should I feel okay about driving mine at 60 lbs over payload capacity (with aftermarket springs) since it's probably actually capable of more, Toyota just didn't bother getting it certified for higher since it wouldn't look good for the more expensive models? Doesn't seem like there's any difference in braking performance in these models, so feels like it's safe?
What's interesting is that the GVWR seems to increase despite no suspension or brake changes... am I missing something?
| TRD Off-Road | TRD Off-Road Hybrid | TRD Pro | |
| Hybrid |  No |  Yes | Yes |
| Moonroof, power tailgate, power seats | Optional | Optional | Yes |
| Stabilizer disconnect | Optional | Optional | Yes |
| Suspension | Off-road shocks | Off-road shocks |  Pro Off-Road suspension |
| Tires | 31" tires | 32" tires | 32" tires |
| Brakes | Identical | Identical (other than has hybrid regen) | Identical (other than has hybrid regen) |
| GVWR | 6,240 | 6,735 (+495) | 6,780 (+540) |
| Curb weight | 4,630 | 5,030 (+400) | 5,100 (+470) |
| Payload | 1,610 | 1,705 (+95 lbs) | 1,680 (+70) |
Looking at the Off Road standard vs Hybrid, the hybrid system (and 32" tires) adds 400 lbs to the curb weight, yet the GVWR increases by 495 lbs despite the suspension and brakes being identical? I looked them up on parts websites, they didn't have different brake or suspension part numbers for those two different models.
And then for the Pro vs OR Hybrid, the Pro adds an additional 70 lbs of equipment, yet the GVWR increases by 35 lbs. It does get different suspension, so that could explain it.
ChatGPT had a few theories that could explain these increases in GVWR without seemingly much mechanical change...
- The hybrid system could improve the weight balance of the vehicle so that more weight is more central and lower, increasing handling and allowing a higher rating... but I'm not sold on that.
- For marketing reasons, they limited the GVWR of the lower-trim models so that the Hybrid and Pro seemed more appealing.
- For performance reasons, they limited the GVWR of the non-hybrid, since the hybrid lets it accelerate/get gas mileage closer to rated stats despite the additional weight
I'm guessing it's primary marketing reasons, and maybe acceleration/MPG reasons... if they all do indeed truly have the same GVWR of 6,780, then the non-hybrid OR would have a payload capacity of 2,150 lbs, while the Pro would only have a payload capacity of 1,680. That wouldn't look good for the Pro!
Is there an actual limiting factor I'm missing on the non-hybrid OR that causes it to get such a lower GVWR? Or should I feel okay about driving mine at 60 lbs over payload capacity (with aftermarket springs) since it's probably actually capable of more, Toyota just didn't bother getting it certified for higher since it wouldn't look good for the more expensive models? Doesn't seem like there's any difference in braking performance in these models, so feels like it's safe?
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