Payload capacity is how much weight you can add to a vehicle, and it’s calculated simply as the GVWR minus the curb weight. It covers everything that isn’t the empty truck: the driver and passengers, cargo in the cab and bed, aftermarket accessories, and — the part people forget — the tongue weight of any trailer.
Worked example
A truck with a 7,000 lb GVWR and a 5,200 lb curb weight has 1,800 lb of payload. Put 600 lb of passengers and gear in it and you have 1,200 lb left. Now hitch up a trailer whose tongue weight is 1,200 lb and you’re already at the limit — even if that truck’s advertised tow rating is far higher. That’s exactly why payload, not the tow rating, is so often the number that actually limits you.
Find your real number
Don’t rely on a generic figure for your model; payload varies with engine, cab, drivetrain, and options, all of which add curb weight and eat into payload. The exact value for your specific truck is printed on the yellow payload sticker in the driver’s door jamb (“the combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed…”).
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate payload? GVWR minus curb weight.
Does towing count against payload? Yes — the trailer’s tongue weight does.
Why is my real payload lower than the brochure? Options and trim add weight, which reduces payload.