What does payload weight mean?
A truck's payload capacity refers to the maximum amount of weight you can safely add to a truck's cargo area in addition to its empty weight (or curb weight). Towing capacity, on the other hand, refers to the maximum weight that a truck can tow after factoring in the weight of the truck and any cargo.
Payload capacity refers to the total amount of weight your vehicle can carry. It includes everything in the cabin, from the driver to the owner's manual in the glove box. Payload capacity also defines everything in the cargo area and whatever is in the bed of the truck.
What is Payload Capacity? A vehicle's payload capacity is the maximum amount of weight it can safely carry. In a car or SUV, that includes all of the weight in the cabin and trunk. In a truck, it consists of all of the weight in the cabin and bed.
Payload capacity refers to the total weight capacity of your trailer. You can calculate maximum payload capacity by subtracting the trailer weight from the GVWR.
It's extremely important to make a note that your truck's payload is not the same thing as your truck's towing capacity. While the payload capacity determines how much weight your truck can carry, towing capacity refers to how much weight your truck can safely tow behind it without causing any harm to your vehicle.
Subtract the curb weight from the GVWR. The result will be your payload capacity. For instance, if your truck's GVWR is 7050 lbs and your curb weight is 4500 lbs, the load capacity will be 2550 lbs. That is the payload capacity; the amount of weight in cargo your truck can safely carry.
Payload Capacity = Gross Vehicle Weight - Curb Weight
For example, if your truck's GVWR is 9,000 lbs and it weighs 5,000 lbs empty, then your payload capacity is 4,000 lbs. You can put 4,000 lbs of people and stuff in your truck. Note: Payload capacity includes passengers!
Payload: To calculate the payload capacity of your truck, you simply need to subtract its curb weight from the GVWR. In case you are towing goods on the trailer, you would also have to deduct the trailer tongue weight.
Anything else you add — a hitch, winch, or megawatt stereo — will subtract from your payload rating. The only way to boost the payload rating is to take weight off the truck: removing the rear seat or bumper, using lighter wheels and/or tires that meet gross axle weight rating requirements, and so on.
What happens if you exceed the payload limit? The extra weight puts more strain on the engine, transmission, suspension, brakes and tires, and can lead to repair problems. Overloading a vehicle, for example, will increase braking distances and increase wear on brake pads and rotors.
How do you calculate payload?
Simply subtract the curb weight from the GVWR to find the payload capacity. For example, if a semi-truck with a GVWR of 35,000 pounds and a curb weight of 15,000 pounds, the payload capacity would be 20,000 pounds: GVWR – curb weight = payload capacity. This payload includes people and cargo without any towing.
Calculating your vehicle's payload
GVW is the maximum allowable weight of the vehicle, including the vehicle itself, operational fluids like fuel and oil, cargo and passengers. Kerbweight is weight of the vehicle alone. To calculate your payload capacity, simply subtract your kerbweight from your GVW.

Stock#4437, Innovative 72″ x 10′ 10K Dump Trailer with 2- 5200# axles de-rated to 9990# so anyone can haul it. This allows for a legal payload of 6490 lbs.
Simply put, your Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the maximum amount of weight that your trailer is rated to carry. This number INCLUDES the weight of the trailer itself and cargo/equipment you plan to haul.
To find the load capacity for your axle you should look on the trailer VIN plate or sticker that lists the VIN number. The weight rating of the axle should be listed on that same plate or sticker. Also, the axle could have a tag or plate on it that will list the weight capacity.
To calculate the maximum weight your car can tow, all you need to do is subtract the gross vehicle weight (GVW) from the gross train weight (GTW). This is the absolute maximum weight your vehicle can tow.
Today, ¾ ton trucks can easily haul up to 4,000 pounds in their truck bed and tow up to 14,000 pounds depending on the powertrain.
Overall, car trailers can handle a much heavier weight load and are capable of transporting larger vehicles. U-Haul's car trailer has a max load of 5,290 lbs. Tow dollies, on the other hand, are not designed to handle large, heavy vehicles. This car moving method is better designed for lightweight vehicles.
This measurement includes a full tank of gas and any other fluids that keep a car running. So, a vehicle's payload capacity -- the amount of stuff it can safely carry after you've filled up the tank with gas and topped off all of the fluids -- is just a matter of subtraction.
It varies with how the truck is outfitted and so on, but anywhere from 10,000 to 16,000 pounds, with 13,000 being the most quoted number. You have to be careful though…the truck can be within its overall weight limit, but still be over on an axle weight.
How much weight can a Silverado 1500 carry in the bed?
The new 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 also has an improved maximum payload as a light-duty pickup truck. Drivers near Jasper, IN, can opt for the Silverado 1500 Regular Cab Long Bed 2WD, paired with the 2.7L Turbo engine, in order to achieve a maximum payload of up to 2,280 lbs.
Payload capacity is calculated by taking your truck's GVWR and subtracting your truck's curb weight. This is your truck's maximum payload capacity. If you have a new 2021 Ford F-150, however, you can now spec your ride with an onboard payload scale, so you don't have to do any math or guessing.
The additional pressure on the shocks and suspension system will make it harder for you to steer the truck. The second risk you run is blowing out a tire due to the added pressure. Other additional issues you can run into include transmission failure, bumps in the road will become enhanced, and other structural damage.
This extra “stuff” is called “payload” and your Payload Capacity refers to all the add-on weight that you can safely add to your vehicle's curb weight, including cargo, passengers, fuel, etc. Tongue weight is also included in that payload capacity weight so be sure to take that into account as well.
If you have a 7000 gross vehicle weight rating, that means that you can't have more than 7000 pounds of weight in the vehicle. The thing that a lot of people stumble on is the fact that this weight includes the curb weight of the vehicle.
Towing capacity formula
Find out curb weight (on VIN sticker). Add the weight of passengers, fuel, and cargo to the curb weight. Subtract this number from your vehicle's GCWR ( you may have to look this up using your VIN if it's not on the door sticker). This is your max towing capacity.
It stands for “Gross Vehicle Weight Rating”, and it's an important number to know, especially if you haul heavy loads with your vehicle. Sam Leman Automotive Group wants you to be safe, so let's talk about the GVWR meaning and why you should know what the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is for your truck.
Can adding an airbag to your existing suspension allow you to carry increased payloads or tow heavier trailers? The simple answer is, no! It's important to remember that the addition of any airbag system does not allow higher payloads or towing capacity to your current vehicle.
Does Adding Leaf Springs Increase Load Suspension? The purpose of the installing a new leaf isn't to increase the capacity of the load that a vehicle can handle. Vehicles are designed to only carry a certain amount of weight before things such as tyres, axles and the overall suspension system is compromised.
Because a body lift is primarily cosmetic, it's highly unlikely that this type of lift will affect a truck's gas mileage, tow capacity or payload.
Can I put 2000 lbs in my truck bed?
Originally, a half-ton pickup could carry up to 1,000-lbs, while a three-quarter-ton pickup could carry up to 1,500-lbs, and the one-ton pickup could carry up to 2,000-lbs. You can also classify trucks via light-duty, medium-duty and heavy-duty.
Signs of an Overloaded Truck
The truck appears overloaded: If the cargo is bulging over the sides of the truck or stacked over the top, it is probably carrying more cargo than it should be. The truck struggles to slow down: If you see a tractor trailer braking but taking too long to slow down, it is likely overloaded.
Bigger tires do affect a vehicle's payload and towing capacity.
Payload capacity can be determined by an easy calculation. Simply subtract your truck's curb weight from the GVWR to get the payload capacity. For example, say your truck's GVWR is 7050 lbs and your truck's curb weight is 4500 lbs. Its load capacity would be 2550 lbs.
Weight limitations vary slightly between specific manufacturers and models of the Luton van, but the load limit for a 3.5T Luton van fall between 1,000kgs and 1,300kgs. If you are hiring a Luton van, the hire company will be able to tell you the weight restrictions, but it is always a good idea to check for yourself.
Explanation: The formula used to calculate the payload of a vehicle is the maximum authorised mass (MAM) minus the tare weight. The tare weight is the total weight of the vehicle, including the crew and extra equipment.
According to Consumer Reports calculations, many SUVs can carry more than 1,100 pounds in combined passenger and cargo weight. But the load capacity of a number of others — depending on the options on the vehicle — is right around 1,000 pounds.
Subtract your truck's curb weight from its GVWR—that's your payload capacity! For example, if your truck's GVWR is 9,000 lbs and it weighs 5,000 lbs empty, then your payload capacity is 4,000 lbs. You can put 4,000 lbs of people and stuff in your truck.
Payload is the weight of the cargo a commercial vehicle is carrying, including the driver and passengers. A common misconception is that payload is only the weight in a trailer or the truck's bed. It's the total amount of weight in the bed and the cab combined.
Anything else you add — a hitch, winch, or megawatt stereo — will subtract from your payload rating. The only way to boost the payload rating is to take weight off the truck: removing the rear seat or bumper, using lighter wheels and/or tires that meet gross axle weight rating requirements, and so on.
Are passengers included in payload?
Payload is the combined weight of cargo and passengers that your vehicle is carrying.
It varies with how the truck is outfitted and so on, but anywhere from 10,000 to 16,000 pounds, with 13,000 being the most quoted number. You have to be careful though…the truck can be within its overall weight limit, but still be over on an axle weight.
If you have a 7000 gross vehicle weight rating, that means that you can't have more than 7000 pounds of weight in the vehicle. The thing that a lot of people stumble on is the fact that this weight includes the curb weight of the vehicle.
Towing capacity formula
Find out curb weight (on VIN sticker). Add the weight of passengers, fuel, and cargo to the curb weight. Subtract this number from your vehicle's GCWR ( you may have to look this up using your VIN if it's not on the door sticker). This is your max towing capacity.
What happens if you exceed the payload limit? The extra weight puts more strain on the engine, transmission, suspension, brakes and tires, and can lead to repair problems. Overloading a vehicle, for example, will increase braking distances and increase wear on brake pads and rotors.
To calculate the maximum weight your car can tow, all you need to do is subtract the gross vehicle weight (GVW) from the gross train weight (GTW). This is the absolute maximum weight your vehicle can tow.
This extra “stuff” is called “payload” and your Payload Capacity refers to all the add-on weight that you can safely add to your vehicle's curb weight, including cargo, passengers, fuel, etc. Tongue weight is also included in that payload capacity weight so be sure to take that into account as well.
Can adding an airbag to your existing suspension allow you to carry increased payloads or tow heavier trailers? The simple answer is, no! It's important to remember that the addition of any airbag system does not allow higher payloads or towing capacity to your current vehicle.
Does Adding Leaf Springs Increase Load Suspension? The purpose of the installing a new leaf isn't to increase the capacity of the load that a vehicle can handle. Vehicles are designed to only carry a certain amount of weight before things such as tyres, axles and the overall suspension system is compromised.
Because a body lift is primarily cosmetic, it's highly unlikely that this type of lift will affect a truck's gas mileage, tow capacity or payload.
What is included in truck payload capacity?
Payload capacity is calculated by taking your truck's GVWR and subtracting your truck's curb weight. This is your truck's maximum payload capacity. If you have a new 2021 Ford F-150, however, you can now spec your ride with an onboard payload scale, so you don't have to do any math or guessing.
Maximum payload capacity means the maximum certificated takeoff weight of an aircraft less the empty weight as defined in section 03 of part 241 of this chapter, less all justifiable aircraft equipment, and less the operating load (consisting of minimum fuel load, oil, flight crew, steward's supplies, etc.).