What is the Lb-Ft of Torque in Toyota Trucks?

When you’re considering your next pickup for your trips and workload throughout the Waldorf, Saint Charles, and Bowie areas, it’s important to consider factors like horsepower and towing abilities. However, while reviewing the specs of the Tacoma or Tundra, you may notice lb-ft of torque.

At Waldorf Toyota, we’re here to tackle the “what is lb-ft of torque” question for Toyota trucks, so you can get a sense of what it is, and the part it plays in your truck’s performance.

What is Torque?

To put it simply, torque is the twisting force that works to cause a rotation. Torque uses a special form of measurement to calculate the actual force and rotation. One pound of torque forces one foot from the pivot point in your vehicle. It basically measures the turning force that’s applied to move one pound at a distance of one foot.

Horsepower is a measurement for the engine’s power. But while horsepower is an important factor that determines a vehicle’s top speed, torque plays a role in the turning of the wheels, and the vehicle’s ability to tow. The higher the lb-ft of torque, the higher the truck’s overall towing capacity.

How Does Torque Affect Towing Capacity?

Torque measures the force and rotation of the wheel. When you tow, you’re relying on the torque of the wheels to cause enough force to pull substantial weight with each rotation. Trucks with higher horsepower outputs generally also have higher lb-ft of torque measurements, so when a truck has numerous engine options, you’ll see that the trucks with the higher horsepower and torque also have the highest capacity when it comes to towing.

Lb-ft of Torque in Toyota Trucks

There are two remarkable Toyota trucks in the lineup that offer the desired torque output workers seek when looking for the right pickup. While the Toyota SUVs also provide a high torque output that’s suitable for towing, it’s the pickups that are literally built for that purpose, to give workers who use their truck for their day-to-day duties.

Toyota Tacoma

The Toyota Tacoma is a light-duty pickup, which means that it offers some impressive abilities, but there may be a limit to its towing, especially if the weight of the towed equipment/materials is significant. When equipped with the 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine, the output is 159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque, with 3,500 lbs of towing capacity. When fixed with the 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque-capable 3.5-liter V6, the Tacoma can tow 6,400 lbs.

Toyota Tundra

The Toyota Tundra is a standard-duty pickup, like the most common models on the market.  The standard 4.6-liter V8 engine can produce 310 horsepower and 327 lb-ft of torque, which gives it the ability to tow 6,800 lbs. The other engine option, the 5.7-liter V8, can produce 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque. As for towing, the truck’s towing limits are at 10,100 lbs.

Learn More About the Toyota Truck Abilities

Now that you’ve learned more about torque, the lb-ft measurement, and the respective abilities of the Toyota Tacoma and Tundra, you have an idea of what you’re looking for with your next pickup truck. When you’re ready to take the next step, our team at Waldorf Toyota can assist you by answering any question you have while pointing out the impressive feats that these Toyota trucks are capable of. Of course, you can see for yourself by getting behind the wheel!

Schedule a Toyota truck test drive today! At Waldorf Toyota, we are here to assist drivers in Waldorf, Saint Charles, and Bowie for when it’s time to find their next vehicle.