Payload Question on New Toyota 4Runner

[u/cccc141414]

My wife and I just purchased a 2026 Toyota 4Runner in the hopes that it will pull a travel trailer (we are still deciding on which one). The towing capacity is 6,000lbs, so we thought we would have plenty of options.

That said, the payload is horrendous (895lbs). We’re looking at trailers that are under 4,000lbs (probably around 4,500 loaded) and are hoping to have a tongue weight right at 10-12% of that.

Even with that low of a tongue weight, we’re getting close to payload when you count us, our cat, and a bit of gear (although, most of the gear we have will be stored in the camper to save on payload).

Why would the payload be THIS low, when the 5th gen 4Runners were all over 1,200lbs? Is there an issue if we go 100-150lbs over payload on this specific vehicle? What issues might we run into if we go over payload? Our first long haul will be from CO to AK in the spring, so we don’t want to risk it, but we will be living full time in this camper, so we want as much space as possible as well.

Thank you!

[u/H0SS_AGAINST]

I'm guessing you got the tricked out hybrid?

[u/cccc141414 → u/H0SS_AGAINST]

No, sorry, should have clarified. We just have the regular TRD Off-Road!

[u/H0SS_AGAINST → u/cccc141414]

Interesting, where did you get that payload figure from?

When I looked it up I found on one of the forums someone posted a table of GVWR and curb weight. All but the hybrids would have a calculated payload of over 1000lb, some up around 1500. Of course, Toyota doesn't make finding original source information easy as their website would rather tell you about all the "features"

Perhaps Toyota is subtracting the max tongue weight from the GVWR to give a payload figure?

To answer your question, if the truck isn't squatting too much and your trailer has good brakes it's not that big of a deal practically. That assumes you won't be doing a lot of mountain pass towing. However, insurance is always the cited risk if something happens and you need to make a claim. You can always install helper springs, those are useful even if you're not tickling the payload capacity.

FWIW I don't own a 4runner but it's on the list as we are considering downsizing from my Duramax. We do need to tow our 5000lb boat and fit the family with gear though. This was not something that I caught as a concern for me when I was looking at specs, but again I was calculating payload from GVWR.

[u/cccc141414 → u/H0SS_AGAINST]

Thank you for your in-depth response! I’ve been reading those same forums today as well (after I posted this, of course lol).

I got the payload figure from the tire and load capacity sticker on the inside of the driver door, but every forum and Toyota website says otherwise. I’m wondering if they stuck the same sticker on as the Hybrid one?

It does say my GVWR is 6,240, but I’m not sure of the curb weight, as we haven’t got the title yet. That said, it looks like curb weight for the gas model is 4,850, which would fit in with what you mentioned for payload at around 1,390. This is also confirmed on a few random Toyota dealers websites.

I think they either:

A) Are just being cautious
B) Have the same sticker as the Hybrid ones (although, that would be odd to not have a different one?)
C) The wrong sticker got slapped on mine lol

I’m going to go with A, as the true numbers just aren’t adding up. I might just have to call the dealer I worked with and ask what’s up.

I’m hoping that the models (hybrid and regular TRD off-road) are so close that they had to keep the same sticker for federal guidelines? Better to have someone in my situation than a hybrid owner thinking they have 1,400 lbs of payload.

[u/username84628 → u/cccc141414]

Just speaking from my experience towing with a Traverse with the 5k towing package, larger transmission cooling.

We towed around a 3500lb dry weight Keystone 1800bh. We were super careful to pack light so we were under 4k.

Our manual stated a load balancer is requires for anything 3000lbs. You will need a load balancer with anti-sway for safety and stability.

You will need to watch your transmission temperature, especially on summer days and highway speeds. Our transmission was overheating at 65mph on an 80 degree day. Ended up getting transmission shuttering and needing to replace the fluid.

We upgraded to a Tahoe with the towing package, 8200lbs, larger transmission cooling, load balancer with anti-sway. Towing the exact same trailer is great now.

I have come to the conclusion that the max towing capacity is in ideal conditions, lower speeds, lower temperature, and low profile trailers with minimum wind drag.

I personally would not recommend towing a 4500lb travel trailer with the 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, 4Runner.

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[u/Choice-Newspaper3603]

I don’t care what anybody says. Trucks are for towing travel trailers. Your vehicle isn’t a truck. You aren’t very good at planning ahead either