200 series towing capacity vs Tundra

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

teleskier

SILVER Star
Joined
Aug 18, 2015
Threads
62
Messages
376
Location
Austin, TX
What makes the cruiser and Tundra different in regards to towing capacity? Is it the brakes? Suspension? Factory tires?

With a Tundra brake upgrade is it more like 10000 in a 200?
 
What makes the cruiser and Tundra different in regards to towing capacity? Is it the brakes? Suspension? Factory tires?

With a Tundra brake upgrade is it more like 10000 in a 200?
I think the main difference in a real life application is the Tundra has a way longer wheelbase!!! The Tundra has the bigger brakes as you mentioned and also has a bigger rear end, If I remember correctly the Tundra has a 10.5 rear end whereas the 200 has a 9.5...
 
Agree with Kreiten.

I've owned both and though I love the LC, the Tundra was a more stable tow vehicle.
 
Tundra Limited with crew & 4x4 tow capacity is just 9,500... Compared with LC 8,500.

Tundra with tow package...have different rear gear according to Toyota brochure.
Gear ratio could make difference.

Tundra claims "up to" 10,500... Maybe that's only with tow package.
 
What makes the cruiser and Tundra different in regards to towing capacity? Is it the brakes? Suspension? Factory tires?

With a Tundra brake upgrade is it more like 10000 in a 200?

Taken from the MY'15 manuals, just because I like to research this stuff...

2015 Land Cruiser (p. 322):

Weight limits
● The gross trailer weight must never exceed 8100 lb. (3670 kg)
● The gross combination weight must never exceed 14400 lb. (6532 kg)

2015 Tundra CrewMax 4x4 w/ Towing Package(p.166) - listed as GCWR & max trailer weight:

16000 lb. (7255 kg)*3 9800 lb. (4445 kg)*3


The main thing is the GCWR difference of 1600 lbs. We could deduce bigger brakes, bigger running gear (rear axle), and transmission/transaxle differences (bigger cooler, different internals, shifting points, different 4wd system), suspension - leaf spring versus coil:

A major difference is the part time 4wd system of the Tundra versus the AWD of the LC. I don't know the 4wd of the LC200 very well, but if there's potential for the entire GCWR to be pulled by one wheel, then that wheel has to be built to that capacity. The Tundra max tow rating may be limited to 2wd (I didn't look) - as the front wheel drive section may not be able to pull the max GCWR if on slipper surfaces.
 
Last edited:
Taken from the MY'15 manuals, just because I like to research this stuff...

2015 Land Cruiser (p. 322):

Weight limits
● The gross trailer weight must never exceed 8100 lb. (3670 kg)
● The gross combination weight must never exceed 14400 lb. (6532 kg)

2015 Tundra CrewMax 4x4 w/ Towing Package(p.166) - listed as GCWR & max trailer weight):

16000 lb. (7255 kg)*3 9800 lb. (4445 kg)*3


The main thing is the GCWR difference of 1600 lbs. We could deduce bigger brakes, bigger running gear (rear axle), and transmission/transaxle differences (bigger cooler, different internals, shifting points, different 4wd system):

A major difference is the part time 4wd system of the Tundra versus the AWD of the LC. I don't know the 4wd of the LC200 very well, but if there's potential for the entire GCWR to be pulled by one wheel, then that wheel has to be built to that capacity. The Tundra max tow rating may be limited to 2wd (I didn't look) - as the front wheel drive section may not be able to pull the max GCWR if on slipper surfaces.

If you look at the most detailed sales brochure on Toyota.com, the Tundra lists a range of max towing capacity based on model, cab style and other factors. Some are listed as 10,500...with others as low as 9,500.

But meh... All of them are capable tow machines...
 
If you look at the most detailed sales brochure on Toyota.com, the Tundra lists a range of max towing capacity based on model, cab style and other factors. Some are listed as 10,500...with others as low as 9,500.

But meh... All of them are capable tow machines...

The rates are all over, as you mention, but the max GCWR is 16000 lbs w/ towing package. Trailer weight rating (TWR) will vary based on single cab, double cab, crew cab, 4x4, etc...

Back to the OP question:

bjowett has some excellent photos of Tundra, LC200 & Sequoia drivetrain, suspension bits & pieces. In the past he's compared the differences between some of them.

I only wish his comparisons were in one location & not strewn across the internet (sorry Brian). You can find them at tundrasolutions.com, expeditionportal.com & here....
 
Tundra has longer frame than LC200, hence more towing capacity. Larger brakes and leaf spring suspension to pull that weight is also needed. 10.5" diff w/ 4.30 gear ratio and rear axle housing wider than LC. There are many noticeable differences.
 
I have had both and pulled my camper with both. 2014 crewmax and my current 2014 landcruiser . The tundra pull drives and handles better while hooked up. Even better mileage and I might even dare say passing power is better. The 200 for me got worst mileage then my tundra (14ish tundra 9-10 200series ) and crap stopping power and kinda bouncy loose feeling . Not sure how the antisway works also the trailer hook up for me is a pain on the 200. Why is it on the Passenger side underneath the dam truck ??? But it is what it is I suppose can't wait to see how bad my mpg are now with the lift and 34s:)
 
I have had both and pulled my camper with both. 2014 crewmax and my current 2014 landcruiser . The tundra pull drives and handles better while hooked up. Even better mileage and I might even dare say passing power is better. The 200 for me got worst mileage then my tundra (14ish tundra 9-10 200series ) and crap stopping power and kinda bouncy loose feeling . Not sure how the antisway works also the trailer hook up for me is a pain on the 200. Why is it on the Passenger side underneath the dam truck ??? But it is what it is I suppose can't wait to see how bad my mpg are now with the lift and 34s:)

Did you remember to account for the lower miles your odometer will report due to larger tires?

I was going to add an speedometer/odometer correction unit from Slee...but apparently they don't work on the 200, since it uses a different method for measurement than previous Cruisers...
 
Last edited:
No need to be sorry, Chris... the truth is the truth. :D

As mentioned by many, the largest advantage of the Tundra is the wheelbase. The 10.5 rear end is nice, but the cruiser splits drive at about 40/60 front to rear... so the smaller rear diff is less stressed.
 
I've towed our 7000#, 31' travel trailer with our 2010 LX and our 2013 Tundra Crew Max 4x4. The LX did okay but I definitely had to hold on to that steering wheel pretty tightly when big rigs were passing. The Tundra is just more calm and collected with a big trailer hooked up (wheelbase). The 4.3 gears that come with the Tundra tow package are also very helpful. Having the trailer electrical connector on the LX all the way toward the passenger side and underneath is a real PITA sometimes. The air suspension is really cool on the LX - levels it perfectly but then again, the Tundra handles the load just fine without it.
 
The Tundra's tow receiver is massive in comparison to the LC. Its rated due to its mounting points above a class IV.

Also, dont forget that the Tundra with 5.7 and tow package has 4.30 gears which makes a big difference.

Just to confuse you even more, all V8 Tundras have a tow receiver, but not the tow package which changes the gear ratios.

5.7 with tow package is 4.30, without is 4.10
4.6 with tow package is 4.10, without is 3.90
 
Just to add a couple more points:

1) Yes, wheelbase. Digging deeper, it's specifically the wheelbase relative to rear overhang ratio that's important. This ratio is the primary factor to which a trailer can influence the tow vehicles directional stability. A smaller ratio means the trailer has more leverage on the front axle. The Tundra obviously has the better ratio. But the takeaway here, is that with an advanced pivot point projecting hitch like a Propride, or Hensley, that the LC can be made just as stable.

2) Suspension. The LC is designed with a plush suspension for ride, but also off-roadability. This is in contrast to the stiff suspension of the Tundrda, for load carrying. Compliance vs load bearing design goals. This is THE major factor to why the Tundra has more towing capacity. Takeaway again, is that by augmenting the stock LC suspension for additional load capacity, that it can be made to tow more again. Because we all know that the LC is surely heavy duty enough in architecture to bear greater loads.
 
Just to add a couple more points:

1) Yes, wheelbase. Digging deeper, it's specifically the wheelbase relative to rear overhang ratio that's important. This ratio is the primary factor to which a trailer can influence the tow vehicles directional stability. A smaller ratio means the trailer has more leverage on the front axle. The Tundra obviously has the better ratio. But the takeaway here, is that with an advanced pivot point projecting hitch like a Propride, or Hensley, that the LC can be made just as stable.

I've heard the same thing. I had many trailer people tell me I should have a truck due to the much longer wheel base. In some cases that is offset but the distance from the rear axle to the tow point being longer creating more leverage for the trailer to effect "sway" or to "lever" up the front end a bit. The LC has a considerably shorter wheel base (great for off road but less so for towing) but at least the distance from the rear axle to the tow point is better.

BTW, I do use a Hensley which helps a ton. And the GVWR of our trailer is 6,000# so I keep the total loaded weight below that.

I also keep the tongue weight around 700 lbs. (Just measured it at 640 with full propane but no water.) The hitch weight max for the LC is 850 though I admit that even when using the weight distribution bars of my Hensley, the rear end sags a couple of inches. Which brings us to your next point


2) Suspension. The LC is designed with a plush suspension for ride, but also off-roadability. This is in contrast to the stiff suspension of the Tundrda, for load carrying. Compliance vs load bearing design goals. This is THE major factor to why the Tundra has more towing capacity. Takeaway again, is that by augmenting the stock LC suspension for additional load capacity, that it can be made to tow more again. Because we all know that the LC is surely heavy duty enough in architecture to bear greater loads.

Yep. Most pickup trucks have a suspension that needs to support a significant "load" in the truck bed. I may turn to helper airbags when towing as others have as I only tow about 3-5% of the time. I really don't want to make the suspension stiffer all the time if I can avoid it.


On the question of brakes, remember that your trailer brakes should be responsible for stopping your trailer. And engine compression is your friend on down grades.

Also, the 2016 LC has a tow rating of 8100. I believe this is in large part due to them using the new SAE certification for towing capacity (many more tests like acceleration, braking, etc.)
 
Great point on the brakes also Dan.

If one feels the trailer pushing the tow vehicle around under braking, it's time to dial in some more brake gain! Not a safe situation especially when going downhill.

BTW, what the gorgeous travel trailer you have? Anymore pics?
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom