I am in a heated discussion with Ram hater. He says my actual payload is lower than what the door sticker says. I think that it is mainly because mine is higher than his Chevy. My sticker says not...
The door sticker on any vehicle IS what you go by, or at least it is what a LEO will go by. It is what that vehicles load ratings are with its options. But like Gemstone said you will never convince your friend of this so do what Downtheroad said, buy the guy a beer and let him (them :W ) think they are right.