Payload on a truck refers to the maximum amount of weight that a truck can safely carry in addition to its empty weight or curb weight. It includes everything that the truck is carrying, including passengers, equipment, or any other items. Payload capacity is different from towing capacity, which refers to the maximum weight that a truck can safely pull behind it with a trailer.

To calculate a trucks payload capacity, you can start with the maximum total weight that the truck can handle, known as its Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). GVWR is determined by the manufacturer and is listed in the owners manual. You can then subtract the trucks curb weight from its GVWR to get the payload capacity. For example, if a trucks GVWR is 9,000 pounds and it weighs 5,000 pounds empty, then its payload capacity is 4,000 pounds.

Its important to note that payload capacity includes passengers, so if youre carrying passengers, you may need to adjust your cargo weight to stay within your trucks weight limit. Overloading a trucks payload capacity can result in service and repair costs that could have been avoided altogether.

Determining a trucks payload capacity is important for ensuring that you dont overload your truck and damage it in the process. Its also important to balance the load in the bed with the weight of all passengers to stay in the safety zone while hauling.