new to forum with a few questions -Ram 1500

BC_Explorer wrote:

kaydeejay wrote:
first of all I see you are a new member - Welcome!

Now, to your questions:-
Max Payload rating does NOT include the driver.
Max Tow rating does.
Are you confused yet??

My 2012 RAM 1500 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.

Unless something has changed in the last 3 model years, the OP should check his owner manual on how payload is calculated for his RAM.

Sorry, my wording was ambiguous.
Payload rating is for an empty truck, the driver becomes part of that payload.
Max tow rating OTOH is the maximum towable WITH a 150# driver in the truck.
No disagreement with what your owners manual says.
Where I struggle sometimes is where the weight of a full fuel tank comes in. I have always believed that the "Payload rating" is GVWR minus "Dry Weight", ie no fuel, but this does not get spelled out and is a bit of a trap for the unwary.
My truck has a GVWR of 9200# and a DRY (no fuel) weight of 6385#. That indicates a Payload rating of 2815# which is EXACTLY what is on my Tire Loading sticker on the door. So 150# of fuel becomes part of that payload.
The "Shipping weight" of my truck (that the shipper gets paid by) was 6405#, which includes the 3-4 gals of fuel added at the factory.
It all adds up.