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

My 2012 RAM owners manual states:

Payload
The payload of a vehicle is defined as the allowable load weight a truck can carry, including the weight of the driver, all passengers, options and cargo.

The OP should check his owners manual to how his specific truck's payload is calculated.

Mine (ram). includes a 150lb human... Lol

transferred wrote:

blt2ski wrote:


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

iirc, on all my trucks the camper # is a little chunk lower than payload #.

As noted, my camper has been hoards of 900 lbs lower than payed. Ie 6 seatbelts times 150 = 900. Hence why camper is less than payload by as you say, a Chunk if you have a 6 passenger crew cab.

Marty

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.

Thanks guys. That is what I needed:)

So payload sticker includes full tank of gas, no human, cargo, or WD hitch weight.

I've been shopping for door jamb stickers lately, rather than tow vehicles. What I've basically done is tracked down Suburbans and Expedition EL 4x4's that have the max trailering package, and not much else in the way of weight robbing options.

In the case of the Suburban, this meant LT trim, rather than LTZ. Which is fine, the Suburban LT and Expedition XLT or Limited are great the way they come, including leather.

What I have found so far, calling several states away with Autotrader identifying possible vehicles, is that Suburban max payload will be in the 1550-1600 lb range, and Expedition EL will be 1450-1500 range.

The only way I can think of to get a Suburban or Expedition EL with higher payload rating on sticker is to custom order fairly bare bones mid level trim model and do a third row delete. Many are now motorized and I read the Chevy media release regarding payload and it said (with 3rd row seat). I would have to find out how much ordering SUV without 3rd row seat would affect payload.

This is proving difficult. I have asked local dealer to find this out, along with what effect ordering 18", 20", or 22" tires/wheels would have. I'm not holding my breath on this one. The sales rep and his manager had the deer in headlights look. Ha ha.

We have decided the smallest Airstream we could be happy with is the 27' FB twin, with hitch weight 790 and dry weight 5850. Well within the Burbs 8k tow rating and Expedition's 9k rating. Wife and I weigh 550 combined, kids are 1 and 3, German shepherd is 16 weeks, but will grow to 80-90 lbs.

Anyone want to offer an opinion on minimum payload sticker rating I should consider acceptable? This assuming most, or all, gear will be carried in Airstream, with heaviest items behind axles. I'm not asking to be hand fed so much as to just confirm what I think I now know. You guys have all the experience.

Will crunch some numbers and try to decide what hypothetical WD hitch to go with, so it's weight can be factored in. Any suggestions appreciated as we have not got that far yet. Either way, I'm closer now to seeing if we can stay with an SUV, and I thank you for the assistance. And as always, your patience and candor.



Dan
NC

blt2ski wrote:


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

iirc, on all my trucks the camper # is a little chunk lower than payload #.

I agree with ScottG to an extent. These numbers aren't 'drop dead' numbers where you use up every last pound, but cannot go over.

In reality and for practical application, there is no functional difference if one is a few hundred pounds over or under the stated limits. In the end, it is up to each person how they treat the limits, but a specific calculation of precisely where you are in relation to the limit is not really necessary.

Note -- I'm not saying don't weight your setup and get an idea of what your weights are, etc. That is good information to have. But what I am saying is that if one is worried about the last couple hundred pounds on a 15,000# gvwr, well, it isn't going to make any difference in my opinion.

If a person is so close to the limits that those things matter then it may be best to either get a lighter RV or a bigger TV.
Just a thought!

Scott

Ron3rd wrote:
Depends on the mfg of the Truck. My Tundra manual indicates how payload is calculated and what is included in the calculation. Check your manual and it should say.

I agree. Ford also specifies what is included in their payload calculations.

First place of reference is the vehicle owner's manual, second place would be manufacturer's web-site. Last place, on a web forum, verifying any information or advice you may read before taking as factual. ;)

Depends on the mfg of the Truck. My Tundra manual indicates how payload is calculated and what is included in the calculation. Check your manual and it should say.