What is included in Gross Vehicle Weight
Depending on the forum I look at I read all kinds of definitions. Some say it includes 150 lbs driver and 5 gallons of fuel Others 150 lbs for every available seat and a full tank of fuel. And of c...
Forum Discussion
I think a good related question or better question would be what is included in curb weight. I have seen various and conflicting comments. Curb weight by definition should be GVW with all standard equipment and without a driver or cargo but with a full tank of fuel and then, payload *should* be GVWR less curb weight.
Some will insist that the max. payload is exactly what is shown on the door pillar sticker. But some will say that any factory options such as 4WD, long box, super or crew cab, larger engine, etc. are not included in the sticker payload. There is also the allegation that GM and Ford were using stripped down trucks to determine max. payload and tow ratings.
At least with Ford, I have to believe that any factory option is not included in the sticker payload number. In our case, after weighing our F250, the payload is around 800-900 lbs less (would have to look up exact number) than the sticker amount with a 180-ish lb driver and full tank of fuel. This also includes the weight of a canopy though of about 200 lbs. (The sticker GVWR is not wrong and weights at 4 different scales are within 20 lbs)
It is always frustrating to read posts about a truck's tow and payload rating as some say you should never exceed the GVWR and some say the GVWR is basically a meaningless number assigned by lawyers. Myself, I believe you should never exceed the GVWR (or axle ratings or GCWR). At the least, I think it is kinder to the vehicle and makes for a more comfortable towing experience.
So, is your payload capacity exactly what is on your sticker or should you weigh your truck to confirm it?? I know a GVWR is not a legal number, but is it an irrelevant fairytale number for any other purpose? From what I've experienced and read on RV forums, it's a good idea to go weigh your TV and confirm exactly what you have for payload cap. by using the sticker GVWR as the max. number for your particular TV.
FWIW, it doesn't help when there are RV manufacturers that put a "1/2 ton towable" sticker on a humongous FWs.
It's interesting that nobody will ever say it's perfectly fine to exceed the GVWR on a TT or FW...
Some will insist that the max. payload is exactly what is shown on the door pillar sticker. But some will say that any factory options such as 4WD, long box, super or crew cab, larger engine, etc. are not included in the sticker payload. There is also the allegation that GM and Ford were using stripped down trucks to determine max. payload and tow ratings.
At least with Ford, I have to believe that any factory option is not included in the sticker payload number. In our case, after weighing our F250, the payload is around 800-900 lbs less (would have to look up exact number) than the sticker amount with a 180-ish lb driver and full tank of fuel. This also includes the weight of a canopy though of about 200 lbs. (The sticker GVWR is not wrong and weights at 4 different scales are within 20 lbs)
It is always frustrating to read posts about a truck's tow and payload rating as some say you should never exceed the GVWR and some say the GVWR is basically a meaningless number assigned by lawyers. Myself, I believe you should never exceed the GVWR (or axle ratings or GCWR). At the least, I think it is kinder to the vehicle and makes for a more comfortable towing experience.
So, is your payload capacity exactly what is on your sticker or should you weigh your truck to confirm it?? I know a GVWR is not a legal number, but is it an irrelevant fairytale number for any other purpose? From what I've experienced and read on RV forums, it's a good idea to go weigh your TV and confirm exactly what you have for payload cap. by using the sticker GVWR as the max. number for your particular TV.
FWIW, it doesn't help when there are RV manufacturers that put a "1/2 ton towable" sticker on a humongous FWs.
It's interesting that nobody will ever say it's perfectly fine to exceed the GVWR on a TT or FW...
