The Tundra was introduced into Toyota’s lineup as a full-size pickup truck in 2000 and remains one of the best-selling pickup trucks in America today. Toyota vehicles are known for their reliability and for having the features consumers expect from today’s vehicles, including towing. But what is the towing capacity of a Toyota Tundra?
The Toyota Tundra has a towing capacity of 8,300 to 12,000 pounds depending on the configuration.
There’s a bit more to know about Toyota Tundra towing capabilities which we’ll cover in today’s guide.
Toyota Tundra Towing Capacity By Year
As we covered earlier, the current Toyota Tundra can tow a maximum of 12,000 lbs when properly equipped.
The Tundra has been in production from 2000 through the present, and we’ve listed out the maximum tow capacity by year below for reference.
Note that for each model year, there are many variables that affect the total towing capability of each vehicle year, so we recommend checking your specific Titan vehicle year for an in-depth guide and to get the most accurate information.
Here are the Toyota Tundra max tow capacity by year:
2023 Toyota Tundra Tow Capacity: 12,000 pounds
2022 Toyota Tundra Tow Capacity: 12,000 pounds
2021 Toyota Tundra Tow Capacity: 10,200 pounds
2020 Toyota Tundra Tow Capacity: 10,200 pounds
2019 Toyota Tundra Tow Capacity: 10,200 pounds
2018 Toyota Tundra Tow Capacity: 10,200 pounds
2017 Toyota Tundra Tow Capacity: 10,500 pounds
2016 Toyota Tundra Tow Capacity: 10,500 pounds
2015 Toyota Tundra Tow Capacity: 10,500 pounds
2014 Toyota Tundra Tow Capacity: 10,500 pounds
2013 Toyota Tundra Tow Capacity: 10,400 pounds
2012 Toyota Tundra Tow Capacity: 10,400 pounds
2011 Toyota Tundra Tow Capacity: 10,400 pounds
2010 Toyota Tundra Tow Capacity: 10,500 pounds
2009 Toyota Tundra Tow Capacity: 10,800 pounds
2008 Toyota Tundra Tow Capacity: 10,800 pounds
2007 Toyota Tundra Tow Capacity: 10,800 pounds
2006 Toyota Tundra Tow Capacity: 7,100 pounds
2005 Toyota Tundra Tow Capacity: 7,100 pounds
2004 Toyota Tundra Tow Capacity: 7,200 pounds
2003 Toyota Tundra Tow Capacity: 7,200 pounds
2002 Toyota Tundra Tow Capacity: 7,200 pounds
2001 Toyota Tundra Tow Capacity: 7,200 pounds
2000 Toyota Tundra Tow Capacity: 7,200 pounds
You can also read our guide on what makes a vehicle towing capacity to learn all the aspects that go into it.
Here’s a video showing the Toyota Tundra being put to a real-world off-road and towing test:
Toyota Tundra Braked Vs. Unbraked Towing Capacity
All vehicles have different towing capacities based on whether or not you’re towing a trailer that has trailer brakes installed.
Trailer brakes allow the trailer to stop faster than if only the vehicle is using its brakes, allowing the vehicle to tow more weight, so braked towing capacity will always be higher than unbraked towing capacity.
Toyota Tundra Braked Towing Capacity: 8,300 lbs. – 12,000 lbs.
Toyota Tundra Unbraked Towing Capacity: 1,500 lbs.
Toyota Tundra Towing Capacity Factors
There are a few factors that affect the Toyota Tundra tow capacity.
Engine Options
The tow capacity of your Toyota Tacoma largely depends on which engine it has in it.
Bed Length
In some trim levels, the Tacoma bed length affected it’s towing capacity, with the general trend being that shorter bed lengths increased the Tacoma’s towing cap by around 500 pounds.
2WD vs 4WD
In some cases, the Tacoma can tow more depending on whether it is 2WD or 4WD.
Model Year and Generation
As the Tundra got into the later model years like 2007 and beyond, the towing capacities increased to 10,000 pounds and over, while prior year models had closer to a 7,000 pound max towing capability.
Number of Passengers
A big factor in calculating your vehicle’s towing capacity is how many passengers you’re carrying, which directly calculates into the vehicle’s GCWR.
This is true of all vehicles, not just the Toyota Tundra, so always take into consideration the total load of your passengers and gear in addition to what you’re towing.
Toyota Tundra Tow Packages
Does The Toyota Tundra Have A Tow Package?
Toyota offers a first-class tow package that is available on most trim levels of the Tundra.
The Toyota Tundra towing package includes the following:
- Class IV tow hitch receiver (TripleTech frame with trailer hitch integrated into the frame)
- 4 and 7-pin connector with converter
- Integrated Trailer-Sway Control
- Integrated Trailer Brake Controller
- Tundra Tow Mirrors (sold separately)
- Ball Mount (sold separately)
Can You Install A Trailer Hitch On a Toyota Tundra?
If you plan on towing anything with your Toyota Tundra, you’ll need a tow hitch and wiring harness.
Depending on what you’re towing, you’re going to need a ball mount (aka a trailer ball hitch) so you can attach items for towing.
Make sure to get the right trailer ball size that matches your hitch and trailer.
Toyota Tundra Tow Hitch
Trailer hitches come in different hitch classes, which are rated for different vehicle sizes and weight limits.
The Toyota Tundra uses a Class 3 or Class 4 hitch.
Here’s a great option for a Class III Toyota Tundra trailer hitch:
- DEPENDABLE STRENGTH. This trailer hitch is rated for 6,000 lbs. gross trailer weight, 600 lbs. tongue weight, 10,000 lbs. weight distribution capacity and 1,000 lbs. weight distribution tongue weight (limited to lowest-rated towing component)
- VERSATILE DESIGN. This class 3 hitch equips your vehicle with a standard 2-inch x 2-inch hitch receiver, allowing for a wide variety of towing options. It can accept a ball mount, cargo carrier, bike rack, tow hook and much more
- FULLY TESTED. Every CURT class 3 trailer hitch design is tested in real-world, on-vehicle conditions at our Detroit engineering facility. Aftermarket hitches are tested according to SAE J684 standards for the utmost safety while hauling
- RUST, CHIP, UV-RESISTANT. This tow hitch is protected with a unique dual-coat finish of rust-resistant liquid A-coat and highly durable black powder coat. The two finishes are co-cured together for exceptional resistance to rust, chipping and UV rays
- EASY TO INSTALL. This hitch offers a custom, factory fit on select model years of the Toyota Tundra
Here’s a great ball mount option so you can hook up different types of trailers for towing with your Tundra:
- DEPENDABLE STRENGTH. Rated to tow 3,500 pounds gross trailer weight and 350 pounds tongue weight, this ball hitch offers dependability for your towing setup (weight capacity may change if trailer ball is removed).Fit Type: Universal Fit
- VERSATILE USE. This trailer hitch ball mount comes with a 1-1/4-inch shank to fit virtually any industry-standard 1-1/4-inch receiver. The ball mount has a 3-1/4-inch drop, 2-inch diameter ball, 1/2-inch hitch pin hole and 7-1/4-inch overall length
- READY TO TOW. Hitching up your trailer is easy with this ready-to-use trailer hitch ball mount. It comes with a pre-attached tow ball for ready coupling and a trailer hitch pin to securely mount onto your hitch receiver
- CORROSION-RESISTANT. For long-lasting use, this ball hitch is protected with a durable black powder coat finish, and the trailer ball has a polished chrome plating. These finishes resist damage from rain, dirt, road salt and other corrosive threats
- EASY TO INSTALL. To install the trailer hitch ball mount on your vehicle, simply insert the shank into your vehicle's 1-1/4-inch hitch receiver. The rounded shank makes installation easy
Toyota Tundra Tow Hitch Installation
If you’re considering having a tow hitch added to your Tundra, expect to pay between $100 and $200 to have a tow package professionally installed (excluding the cost of the tow hitch and wiring harness).
If you’re handy and looking to save money, you can install the trailer hitch and wiring harness yourself.
Always follow the manufacturer’s directions and use proper safety precautions.
Here’s a great video walkthrough on a Toyota Tundra trailer hitch installation:
Hitch Receiver Vs Rear Step Bumper Towing
Some vehicles allow for bumper towing, which means you can mount a tow hitch ball directly on the bumper instead of installing a tow hitch to the vehicle’s frame.
Can I Bumper Tow With A Toyota Tundra?
The Toyota Tundra does allow for bumper towing, but be sure to not exceed the hitch’s weight rating.
In most cases, it’s just easier and safer to use a frame-mounted hitch.
How Do I Know If My Toyota Tundra Has A Tow Package?
You can start by looking under the rear bumper of your Tundra to see if you notice a trailer hitch or trailer ball.
That will give you a good indication of if you have a tow hitch already installed on your Tundra.
Another way to research this is by checking the paperwork that came with your vehicle or taking it to a local dealer to see what’s installed.
Make sure to have your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) handy if you call the dealer so they can look up the exact specs and whether or not your vehicle has any towing packages or features installed on it.
Data Accuracy
We’ve gathered all data represented here from the official Toyota Tundra Owner’s Manuals on Toyota’s site and have checked all data thoroughly for accuracy.
Having said that, we still recommend you refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual yourself before towing with your Nissan Titan.