CoedNaked

Here is an email I sent Toyota Canada concerning the specs for the 2007 Tacoma payload on their website dropping, which I find quite interesting. I have been given a response and a "case number," but I still await a response and it's been several days now. Have a read, let me know what you think:

I just looked at your specs for your 2007 Tacoma and I'm wondering why the
Math doesn't add up, and why your payload capacities have dropped.

First off, YOur Gross Vehicle weight minus your payload capacity is
supposed to equal your curb weight.

So lets look at 2 examples as per your listed specs for the 2007 Tacoma:

Tacoma 4x4 Access Cab V6 Manual
3948 pounds.

GVW
5350 pounds

Payload
Should be 1400 pounds but you have
it listed as 1205 pounds (5350 minus 3950 = 1400).

2007 Tacoma 4x4 Double cab Long Box V6 (automatic)

Curb weight:
4129

Gross Vehicle weight:
5450 pounds

Payload:
Should be 1321 pounds but you have it listed as 1150 pounds.



Secondly, I'm also wondering why the Tacoma's for 2007 have been derated
for payload capacity from previous years. I mean the previous years from
2005 and 2006 didn't add up GVW - curb weight wise either, but at least
they were close. Last years payload capacities if I recall correctly for
1365 for the Access Cab described above, and 1300 for the Double cab
described above.

Why the de-rating? Why the poor Math? Why doesn't it add up? Also, the
Toyota USA website hasn't derated their Tacoma's for the above mentioned
models, and I know for a fact the truck is very similar if not the same.
Built at the same plant, same engine, same everything for the most part.
Why would there be such a huge discrepency in payload capacities?

My 1993 Toyota Japanese made Pickup (4x4 Extracab), which is a Canadian
truck has in my owners manual listed payload capacity as "1100 pounds with
including 1 or 2 occupants, 950 pounds payload for 3 occupants, 800 pounds
with 4 occupants, 650 pounds with 5 occupants." So if it was me and a buddy
the payload of my truck I could do that plus 1100 pounds. The assumption is
then that Toyota assumes 150 pounds per person by the additinal ratings
above, and I know for a fact because I have seen the American brochure for
my truck that the real capacity is 1400 pounds payload (which adds up
compared to the above, the real definition of payload passengers,
accessories, & cargo the vehicle carries). So I'm pretty sure there isn't
some skewed Canadian payload rating system.

The other thing I would like to know about is why haven't Canadian prices
for various Toyota vehicles fallen with the strength of the Canadian
Dollar? For example on the Toyota USA website the price of a new Tacoma
Access CAb 4x4 V6 is roughly $22,000-ish US Funds, which converted to
CAnadian funds using the current exchange rate is approximately
$25,500-$26000 dollars Canadian, yet on the Canadian website in the price
your Toyota section the price of the aforementined vehilce is $29,660.

Regards,

da_bigg_wigg

It would be nice to know, especially the price differences. I wouldn't mind parking a new Taco next to my igloo up here in the great white north...

celica

I would love to get a new one but I would need a longer extension cord as I would be taking it further off road.

aviator

The price differential is most probably due to "premium pricing" for a popular vehicle. The price might have dropped in the US to stimulate demand.
As to the weight changes there is probably a combination of many things going on including conversion errors [lbs.-KGs] and Transport Canada might have changed some of the regs for vehicles also. Last year TC changed the regs for Pax/crew weights in aircraft [Avg. weight for load calcs. went up from 170 lbs for man [summer] to 200 lbs. [summer]] Since they no longer list a selection of pax/payload some more errors may have crept in here. I'll be interested to see what they come up with... A fine bucket of worms you've opened up Coed. Aviator