How Much Weight Can A Toyota Tacoma Hold In The Bed?

The Tacoma was first released in 1995, and it has advanced to be one of the most popular trucks. Toyota claims to use all the knowledge available in engineering the Tacoma. They created the Tacoma TRD Off-Road and the Tacoma TRD Sport to make the truck versatile. But how much weight can the truck carry in its bed? What’s the Toyota Tacoma weight capacity and weight limit?

How Much Weight Can a Toyota Tacoma Hold In The Bed? 

All Toyota Tacoma models can carry at least 1,000 pounds in the bed. Some Tacoma models have a maximum payload capacity of 1,685 pounds, but some models are as low as 1,095 pounds. The 2022 Tacoma TRD Sport Double Cab V6, for example, has a maximum payload of 1,395 lbs.

Below are more details of what to expect in terms of Tacoma payload capacity and towing capacity, too.

Toyota Tacoma Payload Capacity Explained

If you want to bring cargo to your bed, the Tacoma offers you a host of features and accessories to make the haul better. 

For starters, the bed of a Tacoma features a durable fiber-reinforced composite surface. This is a rugged tech that is stronger than steel. 

This ensures that your Tacoma will look great for years to come and can handle a heavy load. 

There is a 400W outlet mounted on the bed that allows you to keep the air compressor and the lighting rigs, among other accessories working. This outlet comes in handy when you are out on an adventure and you need to keep working on your truck’s bed. 

Tacoma offers an innovative deck rail system. 

This system features heavy tie-down cleats for the strength and adjustability you need to secure your cargo and keep it safe when you are driving. Besides the bed features, Tacoma offers several other features to get you far beyond the pavement. 

For instance, it offers an electronically controlled locking rear differential, Crawl Control, and a Multi-terrain select system. These features allow your Tacoma to handle rugged terrain. 

How much weight can a 4 cylinder Toyota Tacoma carry?

The three 4-cylinder Tacoma models can all tow up to 3,500 pounds. The 4-cylinder Access cab Tacomas have a payload capacity of 1,685 pounds and the 4-cylinder Double cab Tacoma has a payload capacity of 1,560 pounds.

What are the Dimensions of the Truck Bed?

The Tacoma is available in different cab configurations, depending on the trim level you choose. These are the Access Cab and Double Cab. 

The size of the bed is either five feet or six feet, depending again on the trim level you choose. Most Double Cab models have a five-foot bed, but both the 4×4 SR5 model and the 4×4 TRD Sport models have a six-foot bed. 

If you distribute the load on your bed the right way, your Tacoma will bring a lot of cargo. You can get bed accessories, such as bed extenders and bed organizers to make it easier for you to bring more cargo. 

Top Features of a Toyota Tacoma

The Tacoma comes in handy when you do not need the power and size of a full-size truck. 

A Tacoma is one of the top choices in its category and comes just behind the Jeep Gladiator and Honda Ridgeline. You will find that the Tacoma has more refined features than its competitors, the Chevrolet, GMC, and Ford, and even than some other Toyota vehicles like the Toyota Tundra.

In 2020, the Tacoma received a major upgrade to make it more technologically advanced and refine its features. For 2021, Toyota offers a new available tow package in their limited edition trims for truckers who need more features than the base model offers.

There are convenient features, such as the even insulated driver’s side bin that acts as a built-in cooler. 

In 2021, the Nightshade Special Edition offers features like those in the Limited trim, but most of the changes only make the truck look better. The first two trims on the lower end, the SR and SR5, offer a standard 2.7L 4-cylinder engine that generates 159 horsepower and 180-pound feet of engine torque. 

There is an optional 3.5L V6 engine that makes 278 hp and 265-lb-ft of torque.

This more powerful engine is standard on all trims except the SR and the SR5. These two engines mate with a six-speed automatic transmission, but some models with the V6 offer a six-speed manual transmission. 

On all trims, you will have a rear-wheel drivetrain with part-time four-wheel drive as an option. 

Some of the standard features on the base SR trim include:

• Sliding rear window 
• Power-adjustable heated side mirrors
• 16-inch steel wheels 
• Movable bed cleats 
• Seven-inch touchscreen 
• Satellite radio
• Bluetooth
• Three USB ports
• WiFi hotspot 
• Apple CarPlay
• Android Auto 
• Composite bed that doesn’t require Bedliner
• Locking/unlocking vehicle remote for the V6 model
• Six-speaker audio system 

You will also have a range of driving aids and safety features, including forward collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning.

Moving up the trims, you will have more features. The SR5 offers comfort features for the non-commercial buyer. 

Some of the standard features in this trim level include alloy wheels, locking and unlocking vehicle remote, power sliding rear window, auto-dimming mirror, eight-inch touchscreen, power-adjustable driver’s seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a chrome exterior trim. 

You can enhance your SR5 with packages, including the Dynamic Navigation package, Technology package, and Trail Special Edition package. Most of these features are for the V6 only, and drivers with the less powerful engine may be left out. 

The TRD Sport offers off-road capabilities, thanks to the V6 engine. 

Most of the features that are available for the V6 only in the SR and SR5 are standard in the TRD Sport. Some of the features in the TRD Sport include:

• 17-inch wheels 
• Hood scoop
• Heated mirrors 
• Wireless charging pad
• 120-volt outlet in the bed
• Body-colored fender flares
• Sport-tuned suspension 
• Power-sliding rear window
• Keyless entry and keyless ignition

You will have a host of packages and options for your TRD Sport. 

Some of the packages include a technology package, a premium sports package, LED headlights, an advanced technology package, and the premium audio and navigation package. If you want to take your Tacoma off the road, take the TRD Off-road trim. 

This model has the same features as the TRD Sport, but it has features engineered for off-road performance. 

Some of the features include textured black fender flares, lockable rear differential, chrome rear bumper, Bilstein shock absorbers, and an advanced off-road traction control system. 

If you want luxury features, you can go for the Limited trim. This has LED headlights, JBL audio system, a navigation system, rear parking sensors, a sunroof, a silver grille, leather upholstery, and a 360-degree camera system. 

At the top of the range is a TRD Pro trim, which offers serious off-road features, such as a hood scoop and a thicker front skid plate. 

There are also several luxury features that make the TRD Pro a good model for a daily driver. 

Why Do You Need to Understand the Bed Capacity of your Toyota Tacoma? 

It is unsafe to place in a bed or in a trailer more weight than your truck can handle. In most cases, it is against the laws of the state, and you could face hefty fines for carrying more than your truck can handle. 

The door sticker will show the maximum payload capacity that your Tacoma can handle. 

However, that payload capacity includes the cargo in the bed and in the cabin and the weight of the passengers. As such, you can carry as much as the payload capacity minus the weight of the driver and passengers and minus the cargo in the cabin. 

When your truck is overloaded, it will take longer to brake, especially when you are driving at high speeds on the highway. 

This might cause an accident and can also void the warranty of your truck. If you place more load than the Tacoma can handle, there will be a lot of stress on the vehicle frame, tires, and suspension system. 

This makes the engine and the transmission system work harder than they should. This makes the systems fail early, or they can even fail immediately. 

Besides losing your car warranty, you might also void car insurance. If your truck breaks down and blocks traffic due to overloading, you will get a costly ticket, and you have the towing bill to shoulder. 

If you need to haul more than your truck can handle in the bed, bring a trailer, as the Tacoma can tow up to 7,000 pounds.

Note that the advertised payload capacity is for when you equip the truck right, and it is not for all models. 

Check your user manual or the sticker on the door. 

The payload capacity and consequently the bed capacity differs based on the truck bed size and cab configuration, the engine, and the drivetrain, among other features. 

Closing Thoughts

The best way to increase the weight of the cargo your Tacoma carries is to attach a trailer. 

If you are looking to carry more cargo on the truck’s bed, you may not have a way to increase the bed capacity. You can add a bed extender, but that allows you to carry longer items and not more weight. 

If you change the suspension system, you may damage the frame of your truck while at it. 

As such, it is always advisable to ensure that you carry just enough, as overloading will put you at risk of causing accidents and also damage your Tacoma.