Curb Weight, GVWR, Towing Capacity for 6th Gen 4runner (2025+)

[Dinosoar21]

Yeah, I find all these numbers, and differences in vehicle specs a bit counterintuitive. I have an absolutely bare bones SR5 RWD. No third row, etc. I would think I have a higher gross weight and/or tow weight limit...unless they're changing springs; which they probably are. I did pull just over 100lbs out of my truck too.

I need to tow 5500lbs with about 200lbs of cargo for my track weekends. I upgraded my tire load (over 700lbs more per axle), have nylon helper springs, and installed a beefy rear anti-roll bar. I think I am more than good to go, but could not point to any set of numbers proving the increase....just my conviction alone. LOL! Thankfully, the trailer is UHaul car hauler with surge brakes, so I don't have to worry about trailer braking systems.

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[mfoga]

I'm curious how many people are actually checking the weight? I did and was shocked how close to GVWR I was. 6280lbs.

I do have the trailhunter front and transfer case skids, a westcott lo profile roof rack, a 270 awning, a rtt and had a fridge in the back that's about 44lbs unloaded but loaded was probably 60 at most. I am also not sure where another 250-300 lbscame from. Addin known extra weight plus my weight it would like I had close to 500 lbs in gear which is now way close to being right. I was expecting to be in the 6000lb range.

 

[LostInAZ]

I'm curious how many people are actually checking the weight? I did and was shocked how close to GVWR I was. 6280lbs.

I do have the trailhunter front and transfer case skids, a westcott lo profile roof rack, a 270 awning, a rtt and had a fridge in the back that's about 44lbs unloaded but loaded was probably 60 at most. I am also not sure where another 250-300 lbscame from. Addin known extra weight plus my weight it would like I had close to 500 lbs in gear which is now way close to being right. I was expecting to be in the 6000lb range.

I am! Currently at 5420 on ORP Gas and I am doing an educated estimate on my future additions and I predict 5800 when all is said and done. Even if I get to 6000 I will be happy with the extra headroom.

BTW, those hybrid batteries eat up more than 300lbs right off the bat.

 

[LostInAZ]

Update....

Now, today with the full skid plate protection, full length roof rack (Westcott), Westcott rock sliders, adding the second half of the rear swing out hitch mount with 2x 20L/5gal jerry cans (empty), and a Badlands 1.5ton off-road jack mounted on the swing out, and this also includes the full rear seat delete and adding the full length GooseGear platform. Full tank of gas and only me in the cabin.

I figure if I add my wife (130lbs) and gas in the jerry cans I would be just around 6050lbs.

 

[mfoga]

Ok my weight must be wrong. I have the OEM skids, a rtt that is 160 lb, on Westcott rack and was 400lbs heavier. I did have some snowboards and cloths in there but not 400lbs of all that stuff.

 

[LostInAZ]

Ok my weight must be wrong. I have the OEM skids, a rtt that is 160 lb, on Westcott rack and was 400lbs heavier. I did have some snowboards and cloths in there but not 400lbs of all that stuff.

Hybrid model? The batteries are about 350lbs.

 

[4RunnerRpod-153]

Here is the word salad Toyota responded with. They ignored that not only does the manual state 895, but so does the sticker, which specifically refers to it as the payload capacity.

A word salad indeed, but I think it does answer our question. The 895 lbs number that we’re all referring to as a payload, is actually not a payload. It’s a number that Toyota came up with as guidance for the maximum weight the passengers and the language can add up to. If you want to add a rack, other bolted down equipment, or tongue weight; that weight doesn’t come out of the 895 lbs number.

For your 4Runner Toyota provided the following numbers, GVWR = 6395 lbs and Curb weight = 4970 lbs. They stopped short of subtracting the numbers for you, which is odd, but they were definitely dropping a hint that the difference is your payload. So your payload is actually 1425 lbs.

Toyota created a payload-subcategory for only passengers and cargo for some reason. The distinction here is the 895 lbs is for weight of moving objects/passengers (not bolted down, or attached).

Bottom line, if we don’t exceed the GVWR weight, then we comply with the vehicle’s weight rating.

I also look at it this way, if the payload is 1400 lbs Toyota doesn’t want people to haul say 1200 lbs (1400 - 1x passenger weight) worth of lumber for instance. The frame, suspension and tires can support all that weight, but they don’t want all that weight inside the cab. I get it, I just wish they would have explained this better with specifics.

I almost changed my mind about purchasing a 4Runner after I saw the 895 lbs number, as I plan to tow a 4000 lb trailer. Thank you for emailing Toyota, the information we got back was a bit cryptic, yet helpful imo.

 

[josiahg52]

This is being overcomplicated. Whatever number is on the door sticker and however Toyota arrived at it, the practical answer is the same.

Outfit the vehicle the way it will normally be used, with whatever accessories and equipment are normally carried, and weigh it. Compare the actual vehicle weight to the GVWR and the individual axle weights to their respective GAWRs. Those differences tell you how much additional weight can actually be carried and where the limiting factor is.

Everything added to the vehicle counts. Passengers, cargo, accessories, equipment and trailer tongue weight all ultimately contribute to the weight being carried by the vehicle and its axles. Whether something is bolted to the truck or sitting in the cargo area doesn’t change that.

The various definitions and how Toyota derives the number on the capacity label may be interesting from a certification standpoint, but they don’t change the basic calculation. Weigh the vehicle as actually configured and compare the measured weights against GVWR and GAWR. That removes the guesswork.

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