There have been a ton of post lately about how much can my truck carry or will my truck haul this..And there isn't a "sticky" to explain it and opinions vary alot lately..So,how does it work?I assume if you have a payload of say 4600#(I'll use mine as an example) that you cannot just put a 4600# TC on it because the payload changes as passengers and accessories that were not on the widow sticker change...So my 4600# payload goes to 4400# when my son and his better half get in(400#) and it changes again when I ad my tools and other things I need,anything including cup holders change the GVWR if even slightly..Is this right and is there a consensus of a number to subtract from GVWR/payload for the average RV/TC user like 1000# added to the dry weight of a TC seems to be the standard.

The payload is everything that is in the vehicle, including passengers and pets, plus everything that is on the vehicle, such as bed covers, tool boxes, etc., plus everything that is on the hitch, such as bike racks, tongue weight of trailers, WDH weight, etc.With your example, if you have a payload of 4600 lbs and passengers weigh 400 lbs, then you have 4200 lbs left. Any gear you put in the cab or in the bed of the truck will be deducted from that. As well as any weight you put on the hitch.If you are going to add a TC, you also want to pay attention to how much weight the front and rear axles can handle individually as well as the center of gravity of the TC.

Except for 150# driver and full fuel tank EVERYTHING added to truck cab, bed, bumper etc reduces the MFGs stated payload which is based on MFGs GVWR minus the curb weight of vehicleYellow sticker states CCC for the vehicle as equipped from factory so dealer added accessories reduce that sticker CCC numberCourse MFGs GVWR and the payload based on that GVWR are arbitrary numbers used for Warranty issues, CLASS of vehicle and Registration Fees.Actual real world payload....Axle ratings/Tire Max Load ratingsPopcorn on stove !!!

Old-Biscuit wrote:Except for 150# driver and full fuel tank EVERYTHING added to truck cab, bed, bumper etc reduces the MFGs stated payload which is based on MFGs GVWR minus the curb weight of vehicleYellow sticker states CCC for the vehicle as equipped from factory so dealer added accessories reduce that sticker CCC numberCourse MFGs GVWR and the payload based on that GVWR are arbitrary numbers used for Warranty issues, CLASS of vehicle and Registration Fees.Actual real world payload....Axle ratings/Tire Max Load ratingsPopcorn on stove !!!I am glad you brought up the 150# driver..Some say this is the case and others say not like GMC..GMC Motors wrote:Knowing both your vehicle’s gross vehicle weight and gross vehicle weight rating allow you to quickly calculate how much you can safely carry. For example, take a look at the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 4WD double cab with the EcoTec3 4.3L V6. The gross vehicle weight rating for this particular model is 7,100 pounds†. The weight of the Sierra itself is already 5,216 pounds. By subtracting the weight from the GVWR, you can determine this particular Sierra can carry about 1,884 pounds without exceeding its maximum weight rating.That doesn’t necessarily mean you can universally carry 1,884 pounds of cargo in its pickup box – the weight of passengers within the cab also needs to be factored into the GVWR. If you have two 200-pound passengers climb into that same Sierra, it now has an available capacity of 1,484 pounds.It's important to always abide by the GVWR specifically set for your GMC truck or SUV. In the course of vehicle development, professional engineers have extensively pushed these vehicles to their limits in order to keep you, your passengers, and your belongings safe and to avoid damage to your vehicle. Staying within these limits helps your truck, trailer, and travel remain safe.As I mentioned,it get confusing if you want to play by the exact numbers..

GVWR is the max that can be on the tires of the vehicle. Load it and weight it, and if you're under your axle ratings and GVWR, you're within capacity.

Understanding GVWR and payload.. | Good Sam Community

25 Replies

Grit_dog
Navigator II
Jul 30, 2019
edit
twodownzero
Explorer
Jul 30, 2019
GVWR is the max that can be on the tires of the vehicle. Load it and weight it, and if you're under your axle ratings and GVWR, you're within capacity.
jaycocreek
Explorer II
Jul 30, 2019
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Except for 150# driver and full fuel tank EVERYTHING added to truck cab, bed, bumper etc reduces the MFGs stated payload which is based on MFGs GVWR minus the curb weight of vehicle
Yellow sticker states CCC for the vehicle as equipped from factory so dealer added accessories reduce that sticker CCC number

Course MFGs GVWR and the payload based on that GVWR are arbitrary numbers used for Warranty issues, CLASS of vehicle and Registration Fees.
Actual real world payload....Axle ratings/Tire Max Load ratings

Popcorn on stove !!!

I am glad you brought up the 150# driver..Some say this is the case and others say not like GMC..

GMC Motors wrote:
Knowing both your vehicle’s gross vehicle weight and gross vehicle weight rating allow you to quickly calculate how much you can safely carry. For example, take a look at the 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 4WD double cab with the EcoTec3 4.3L V6. The gross vehicle weight rating for this particular model is 7,100 pounds†. The weight of the Sierra itself is already 5,216 pounds. By subtracting the weight from the GVWR, you can determine this particular Sierra can carry about 1,884 pounds without exceeding its maximum weight rating.

That doesn’t necessarily mean you can universally carry 1,884 pounds of cargo in its pickup box – the weight of passengers within the cab also needs to be factored into the GVWR. If you have two 200-pound passengers climb into that same Sierra, it now has an available capacity of 1,484 pounds.

It's important to always abide by the GVWR specifically set for your GMC truck or SUV. In the course of vehicle development, professional engineers have extensively pushed these vehicles to their limits in order to keep you, your passengers, and your belongings safe and to avoid damage to your vehicle. Staying within these limits helps your truck, trailer, and travel remain safe.

As I mentioned,it get confusing if you want to play by the exact numbers..
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Jul 30, 2019
Except for 150# driver and full fuel tank EVERYTHING added to truck cab, bed, bumper etc reduces the MFGs stated payload which is based on MFGs GVWR minus the curb weight of vehicle
Yellow sticker states CCC for the vehicle as equipped from factory so dealer added accessories reduce that sticker CCC number

Course MFGs GVWR and the payload based on that GVWR are arbitrary numbers used for Warranty issues, CLASS of vehicle and Registration Fees.
Actual real world payload....Axle ratings/Tire Max Load ratings

Popcorn on stove !!!
toedtoes
Explorer III
Jul 30, 2019
The payload is everything that is in the vehicle, including passengers and pets, plus everything that is on the vehicle, such as bed covers, tool boxes, etc., plus everything that is on the hitch, such as bike racks, tongue weight of trailers, WDH weight, etc.

With your example, if you have a payload of 4600 lbs and passengers weigh 400 lbs, then you have 4200 lbs left. Any gear you put in the cab or in the bed of the truck will be deducted from that. As well as any weight you put on the hitch.

If you are going to add a TC, you also want to pay attention to how much weight the front and rear axles can handle individually as well as the center of gravity of the TC.

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Understanding GVWR and payload..

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