My 07 Expedition EL XLT 4x4 with towing package, rear AC, leather, and sunroof has a GVWR of 7900lbs The TREAD act sticker states a max cargo of 1672lbs. Not sure about now, but at the time the Expy had the highest payload of 1/2 ton SUVs, and higher than many 1/2 ton trucks.
TREAD act sticker began use in 2006. Prior to that there was a lot of guessing based on GVWR, claimed curb weight, brochures, etc. With TREAD act there is no guess. It is for that SPECIFIC vehicle configuration as it leaves the factory. It includes full gas and fluids, but no people or cargo. The law required the actual vehicle to be within a few pounds of the number on the sticker. If the dealer or aftermarket adds anything significant they are supposed to get a new sticker (does not always happen). So whatever the number is, unless there is a bunch of unaccounted for dealer / aftermarket add ons, you can pretty much count on it.
