Toyota Tundra Towing Capacities

The Toyota Tundra is a major contender when it comes to modern trucks and is very large too so you would think that it would have a decent towing capacity too and that was true for the most part on some models but it did fall short when compared to other manufacturer's trucks.

I gathered all of the tow specs for the 2000 and newer models and put all of that data on this page in order to create a resource guide for people who want to know! Enjoy!

Overview of the Data For the Toyota Tundra:

Engine Choices: The engine you had equipped in your truck was the main determining factor for the maximum trailer weight specs, in general and was what determined the lower and higher capacity numbers.

Variables: There are a few different variables that affected the numbers when it came to these trucks and some of these were small differences and others made a much larger impact on the numbers.


The engine you had equipped and whether you had a towing package installed were the two variables that affected the numbers the most. Other things like 2WD vs 4WD models and bed type (length) made smaller differences, in most cases.

Towing Capacity: The towing capacity for the Toyota Tundras were significantly higher for model years 2007 and up (newer), having a maximum capacity of over 10,000 pounds for some models.


For models made in 2006 and older, the maximum capacity was far less than the newer models, having around a 7,000 pound capacity, or somewhere around that figure, which is more than 3,000 pounds difference!


Always refer to your owner's manual for a more detailed list of information to familiarize yourself with all of the tow related information, directly from Toyota.

2020 Models:

The 2020 models had only one engine option available but many different specs when it came to the trailer weight ratings and these were based off of bed length and whether you had a 4WD or 2WD model.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra has a towing capacity of 8,800-10,200 lbs., overall, if we look at all of the numbers in the chart.

It is important to note that the 2020 trucks had either a 14,000 lb. or 16,000 pound (or close to that) GCWR and the lower ratings (7,800 lbs.) in the charts were generally for models that did not have a tow package installed and had the lower 14,000 lb. GCWR, while the highest figures had the 16,000 lb. GCWR and a towing package installed.

2020 Toyota Tundra Towing Chart

2019 Models:

The charts for the 2019 models showed three different engines that came equipped with these trucks and really changed up the capacity numbers overall.

Looking at the data from the charts below, the 2019 Toyota Tundra's towing capacity was between 6,400-10,200 lbs.

Since there are three different engines for the 2019 models, we can better see which specific motor performed the best and the worst.

If we break down the capacity numbers by engine for the 2019 models we can see that the 1UR-FE engines had a maximum range of between 6,400-6,800 pounds, which was some of the lowest numbers we saw for the 2019 charts.

The 3UR-FE engines had a range between 7,800-10,200 pounds and the 3UR-FBE engines had a range of 7,800-10,100 pounds, maximum weight according to the charts.

2020 Toyota Tundra Towing Chart

2018, 2017, 2016 & 2015 Models:

The 2018-2015 model Toyota Tundras had the three same engines that the 2019 models had and in fact, close to the same overall maximum towing ratings listed in the charts, ranging from 6,400-10,500 pounds for all models across all years.

The charts were a bit different though throughout the years, so you do want to look up your specific model code, engine, bed length and drive train configuration to get an accurate number.

I did notice the same patterns that I did with the 2019 models regarding the three different engines and their individual tow specs and wanted to break it down for the 2018-2015 models as well...

2018-2015 models with the 1UR-FE engines equipped had the poorest ratings in the charts, ranging from 6,400-6,800 lbs.

 The 3UR-FE and 3UR-FBE engines produced the most power overall, having a range of 7,800-10,500 lbs. for both engines.

2018 Toyota Tundra Towing Chart

2018 Chart

2017 Toyota Tundra Towing Chart

2017 Chart

2015 Toyota Tundra Towing Chart

2015 Chart

2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 & 2010 Models:

The 2014-2010 models had a ton of engine options, four to be exact and these were the: 1GR-FE, the 1UR-FE, the 3UR-FE and the 3UR-FBE engines.

The towing capacity for the 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010 Tundra was between 4,500-10,500 lbs.

If we break down the four different engine choices into their respective capacity numbers, according to the charts, we can see how much weight each engine was capable of producing and pulling.

The 1GR-FE and 1UR-FE engines had the lowest specs on the charts and the 1GR-FE was between 4,500-5,200 pounds and models with the 1UR-FE engine ranged from 6,200-9,000 pounds.

If we look at the larger V8 engines (3UR-FE and 3UR-FBE), we can see a higher top end and lower end weight. The 3UR-FE and the 3UR-FBE both had a range of 7,700-10,500 lbs.

2014 Toyota Tundra Towing Chart

2014 Chart

2013 Toyota Tundra Towing Chart

2013 Chart

2012 Toyota Tundra Towing Chart

2012 Chart

2011 Toyota Tundra Towing Chart

2011 Chart

2009 Models:

The 2009 models also had four engine choices to choose from like the 2014-2010 models but the choices were slightly different.

Overall, the 2009 Toyota Tundra's had a towing capacity of 4,800-10,800 lbs., which was very close to the 2014-2010 specs.

Again, breaking down the maximum hauling figures by the type of engine will give us a better look at how each engine performs.

The 1GR-FE had a range of 4,800-5,100 pounds and the 2UZ-FE engine had a higher range of between 6,200-8,500 pounds.

Moving on to the two 5.7L (V8) engines, the capacity numbers get higher and we see that the 3UR-FE engines had a range of 8,100-10,800 lbs., while the similar 3UR-FBE engine saw a range of 8,100-10,500 lbs.

2009 Tundra Tow Chart

2009 Tundra Tow Chart

2008 & 2007 Models:

The three different engine choices for the 2008 models were the: 1GR-FE, the 2UZ-FE and the 3UR-FE, without the 3UR-FBE, which came in '09.

The towing capacity for the 2008 and 2007 Tundra's ranged from 4,800-10,800 lbs.

The 1GR-FE engines had a substantially lower capacity range than the other engines, ranging from 4,800-5,100 pounds and the 2UZ-FE had more capacity, ranging from 6,200-8,500 pounds.

The 3UR-FE engine was the largest engine out of the three and it had the best capacity range as well, coming in at around 8,100-10,800 lbs.

2008 Charts:

2008 Tundra Tow Chart

2008 Tundra Tow Chart

2007 Charts:

2007 Tundra Tow Chart

2007 Tundra Tow Chart

2006 & 2005 Models:

The 2006 and 2005 models had identical charts, except for the GCWR chart and they both had a choice of two different engines: the 1GR-FE and the 2UZ-FE.

The towing capacity for the 2006 and 2005 Tundras ranged from 4,900-7,300 lbs.

Comparing the two engines for the 2006 and 2005 model years, we can see that the 1GR-FE engine was the weaker of the two, having a range of 5,000-5,200 lbs. and the stronger 2UZ-FE engine had a range of 4,900-7,300 lbs.

The 2006 and 2005 charts were identical so I just used the 2006 images I found in the owner's manuals below for both model years.

2006 Charts:

2006 Tundra Tow Chart

2006 Tundra Tow Chart

2005 Charts:

2005 Tundra GCWR Specs

2004 & 2003 Models:

The 2003 and 2004 models had two different engine options, which were the 5VZ-FE and the 2UZ-FE and two different options than the 2005 and 2006 models.

The towing capacity for the 2004 and 2003 Toyota Tundras ranged from 4,900-7,400 lbs., based on the options in the charts below.

Looking at the 5VZ-FE and the 2UZ-FE engines and comparing the specs that way, we can see that the 5VZ-FE engine had a capacity range of 5,000-5,200 pounds, while the 2UZ-FE engine had a larger 4,900-7,300 pound capacity range.

2004 Toyota Tundra Towing Chart

2004 Chart

2003 Toyota Tundra Towing Chart

2003 Chart

2002, 2001 & 2000 Models:

The 2000-2002 models had the same two engine options that the 2003 and 2004 models had but the tow charts were slightly different when it came to some of the numbers, so I decided to make a separate section for them.

The towing capacity for the 2000, 2001 and 2002 Toyota Tundras ranged from 4,750-7,200 lbs.

There was not a huge difference in capacity numbers when it came to manual vs automatic transmission models, like I see with some other model years though. Again, the 2UZ-FE engines produced more power than the 5VZ-FE engines and had better overall weight ratings.

2002 Toyota Tundra Towing Chart

2002 Chart

2001 Toyota Tundra Towing Chart

2001 Chart

2000 Toyota Tundra Towing Chart

2000 Chart


Do I Have A Towing Package Installed?

Some of the charts have figures that state a larger overall capacity when a tow package is installed and finding out if your model has one installed is a bit of a challenge.

At this point, your best bet is to take it in to a dealership to see if they can check whether or not you have a any sort of optional package installed.

Deciphering Engine Codes:

Toyota chose to use the engine code in some of their charts for the Tundra's and this created an extra step in figuring out what engine that actually is, so I thought I would break it down to make it easier to calculate your specific truck's configuration...

  • 3UR-FE: 5.7L (V8 engine)
  • 3UR-FBE: 5.7L (V8 engine) (E85 Ethanol compatible version)
  • 1UR-FE: 4.6L (V8 engine)
  • 1GR-FE: 4.0L (V6 engine)
  • 2UZ-FE: 4.7L (V6 engine)
  • 5VZ-FE: 3.4L (V6 engine)

What Is The Model Code?

The tow charts for the Toyota Tundras have a model code that you need to not only find, but then plug into the tables, along with a couple of other things in order to get an accurate weight rating spec.

The model code can be found in a couple of different places, according to Toyota and these are usually under the hood on the back firewall or on the driver's side door pillar (with door opened).

Toyota Vehicle Identification Plate Locations

Toyota Vehicle Identification Plate Locations (toyota-tech.eu)

There will be a VIP (vehicle identification plate) that has the model code listed somewhere. Here is an example of a Tundra's VIP that has the model code circled in red. Just plug that number into the charts to find your specific model and corresponding maximum weight recommendations.

Toyota Model Code Example

Toyota Model Code Example

Cab Styles Affect Tow Capacity...

For all model year Toyota Tundras, you will need to figure out which cab configuration you have in order to get an accurate figure when it comes to hauling anything. The cab configuration just refers to the style of the cab, more specifically, the door configuration.

Take a look at the images below to get a sense of what each cab configuration looks like and how the door design is different on each model.

Toyota Tundra Cab Configurations

Resources I Used For The Tundras:

All of the information you see in this article on the Toyota Tundras came from the owner's manuals I found on Toyota's website. I took all of the information I found in those and used them in this post and wanted to link to them for those of you out there that may want to check them out for yourselves.

Last updated on June 16th, 2022 at 07:30 pm

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