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speaste7's avatar
speaste7
Explorer
Jun 06, 2014

Jeep Grand Cherokee Payload

Ok, perhaps someone from Jeep is on here who can answer this - or maybe someone has already contacted jeep.

Calculating payload is a very simple calculation of GVWR - the weight of the vehicle (curb weight) obviously most accurate if one goes to the scale with a full tank of fuel and the driver. After subtracting that weight from the GVWR you should have an accurate payload number for people and cargo (including trailer hitch transfer). Obviously I'm not talking about the other weights here only payload.

So for my 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, my GVWR right off the sticker is 6800# The curb weight from Jeep for my model is 5210 which results in a payload of 1590 (6800-5210 = 1590).

Its not difficult math and this calculation is pretty well established. In fact its right off Jeeps specs sheet:

http://www.wk2jeeps.com/2012/2012_wk2_specifications.pdf

So my question is why when I look at the carrying capacity sticker on my jeep, it states payload is not to exceed 1050.

Anybody know why?

Thanks!
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  • speaste7's avatar
    speaste7
    Explorer
    Jun 08, 2014
    Hi jus2shy,

    Yes, tires are not a weak point. The for tires are rated for a load well over the GVWR. The total is in the 8k lb range. That was actually where I thought the weak point was going to be but turned out it wasn't.

    They are 107 rated tires. 2149lbs each.
  • jus2shy's avatar
    jus2shy
    Explorer
    Jun 07, 2014
    I wonder, did you look up the load ratings on your tires? Do all 4 of them mathematically add up to your gvwr? At a minimum, each tire should bare 1,700 lbs of capacity. That yellow sticker is the tire load sticker.

    You can go to a site like tirerack.com and look for your tire size. They have the specs for most oem tire brands.
  • speaste7's avatar
    speaste7
    Explorer
    Jun 07, 2014
    So as a follow up in case this might be helpful to someone else, I went and weighed the Jeep today. Full tank of gas, myself the 200lb driver in the vehicle. As bonus I also had my little 2 yr old in a car seat as well as a little bit of cargo I forgot to remove in the back (stroller, few other items). Below are the numbers. This is a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Summit.

    GVWR off sticker is 6800lbs
    Scale weight is 5577.5 (Including driver, baby in seat and cargo plus full fuel and fluids)

    6800 - 5577.5 = 1222.5 remaining payload capacity.

    Significantly different than the sticker payload of 1050 even with a little extra cargo and a 200 lb driver.
  • brulaz's avatar
    brulaz
    Explorer
    Jun 07, 2014
    Seems odd.

    It's pretty rare to hear of a scale weight giving a higher payload than what's on the yellow sticker.

    Usually it's just the opposite because the owner has added options in addition to what was on the truck as it left the factory.

    I'm really surprised.

    And I don't think the yellow sticker payload is just a marketing number. My understanding is that there's a legal requirement behind it.
  • speaste7's avatar
    speaste7
    Explorer
    Jun 07, 2014
    Thanks SCH.

    Makes me feel much better about my calculations. :)

    One would think such a low sticker payload would hurt marketing.

    And yes, I understand completely that the real weight,to use is the scale weight.
  • sch911's avatar
    sch911
    Explorer
    Jun 06, 2014
    I am a Jeep Engineer. So first off curb weight is not necessarily anywhere close to the weight of your vehicle. So forget using that in your calculations. Its based on a default configuration, which is likely different from your vehicle. Otherwise you are spot on in your analysis. Regarding why the payload rating is lower is simply because it just a rating for comparisons. A marketing number...
  • speaste7's avatar
    speaste7
    Explorer
    Jun 06, 2014
    Exactly, thats what I'm saying, even when its weighed, its pretty close to the specced curb weight which results in way more than 1050 for payload. I'm trying to figure out why the sticker has 1050?
  • shelbyj's avatar
    shelbyj
    Explorer
    Jun 06, 2014
    The curb weight may not be the weight of your model as is. The cargo sticker is based on your model with all of the options out the door. Best way to know for sure is load up your jeep and take it to a scale and weight it. Then subtract that from the GVWR to get real world payload.

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