Tuesday, September 22, 2009

F-150 Silverado Toyota Tundra Tow Ratings

Tow Ratings

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

Don’t be misled by claims of a maximum tow rating. Towing capacity is NOT regulated by any government agency like NHTSA. So you can never compare “Apples to Apples” when talking about towing. It is up to the manufacturer to decide what the maximum tow capacity for their respective truck. I sleep well at night knowing that when Toyota places a 10,800 pound capacity on Tundra is for capability not “Bragging Rights”. That means if you what to pull a trailer with your Tundra you can do it every day all day. All Tundra’s have a tow rating of at least 10,000 pounds when equipped with the 5.7 V8 and factory tow package.

The maximum tow rating for any ½-ton pickup is never applied to every model in that brand's line, including Toyota. Tow ratings will differ between models due to different vehicle weights and powertrain options. A Regular Cab 4x2 equipped with the V6 engine will have a different tow rating than a Double Cab 4x4 with the 5.7-liter V8. It's important to cross check your towing needs against the tow rating for the desired model.

The Tundra's maximum tow rating of 10,800 pounds cannot be quoted for every model, but Tundra still provides competitive ratings across the line.

The Point is…

1. All Tundra cab/bed configurations have a tow rating of at least 10,000 pounds when equipped with the 5.7-liter V8 and factory tow package
2. 4x2 trucks usually have a higher tow rating than comparable 4x4 models
3. Options such as color-keyed bumpers, 20-inch wheels can reduce the tow rating
4. Competitive ½-ton pickups may require "heavy-duty" or "enhanced" packages to achieve their maximum tow ratings
5. Toyota has specific recommendations for hitches and sway control when towing trailers of certain weights

1 comment:

  1. You are definitely right. I was starting to worry about my truck being so lame and all, but with your opinion I think it is competitive now.

    ReplyDelete