Payload capacity: Includes 150 lb driver? Fuel? Or neither?

The max payload listed inside of the door jamb is the maximum amount of weight you can add to the vehicle (driver, passengers, gear, etc). Before the truck leaves the factory, it's weighed unloaded with all its fluids. To get a payload number they subtract the unloaded weight from the GVWR of the truck. Anything else added to the truck after this point, including the driver, counts against the payload number.

The available payload can actually be much lower than the sticker if you or the dealer installed any options after it left the factory. That's why you should not rely on the sticker. Fill up your truck and get it weighed at a CAT scale. Subtract the weight from the GVWR listed on your sticker. This is your current available payload amount.

The confusion comes from the "Max Tow Capacity" or "Max Tow Rating". This is a rating provided by the manufacturer that tells you the maximum amount of weight that can be pulled by the vehicle. In the Max Tow Capacity, the manufacturer normally has a 150 lbs driver allowance.

For the ones I have owned, it has been the empty truck of humans etc, but a full tank of fuel and other fluids etc as BUILT in the factory. If you have since added a spray in liner, running guards, hitch if not equiped from factory etc, this will take away from this number.

The camper load sticker in the glove box on the other hand, should add up to the payload sticker. BUT you need to add # of seat belts times 154lbs to the camper load to get total payload.

Marty