Litres consumed per 100 kilometres; lower is better. Standard metric efficiency unit.

Energy lost deforming tires as they roll. Low-pressure or wide tires raise it.

Automotive Calculators

Payload Capacity Calculator

2026-09-27 6 min

Available payload from GVWR minus curb weight, with tongue-weight reminder.

Payload Capacity: 1700 lb; People + cargo + tongue weight
Max Tongue at 15%: 255 lb; Of a maxed trailer — must fit payload

Calculator

GVWR(lb) Help

Door-jamb sticker rating

Curb Weight(lb)

Results update live as you type

Live statistics

Payload Capacity

1700 lb

People + cargo + tongue weight

Max Tongue at 15%

255 lb

Of a maxed trailer — must fit payload

Results

Optimal

Payload Capacity

1700lb

People + cargo + tongue weight

Max Tongue at 15%

255lb

Of a maxed trailer — must fit payload

Planning estimate from standard automotive formulas. Validate with dyno, timeslip or datalog data when precision matters.

Visualizations

Results overview

1,700Payload Capacity

255Max Tongue at 15%

Payload Capacity vs. GVWR

Payload Capacity

1,700lb

05,000

Formula

The sticker payload is GVWR minus the as-built truck; everything added — including trailer tongue — spends it.

Payload = GVWR - curb weight

Alternative Form

Tongue weight, passengers and bed cargo all draw from the same payload

Variables

Symbol	Name	Unit	Description
GVWR	Gross rating	lb	Max loaded truck weight
C	Curb	lb	Empty with fluids

Explanation

Payload is the binding constraint on most half-tons: tongue weight plus family plus gear overflows it long before tow rating.

Step-by-Step Calculation

Follow each step to understand how the result is calculated from your inputs.

Step 1

Record the inputs.

GVWR:7200 lb

Curb Weight:5500 lb

Result: 2 inputs ready

Step 2

Apply the formula.

Payload = GVWR - curb weight

Result: Primary result = 1700 lb

Step 3

Read every derived output.

Payload Capacity:1700 lb

Max Tongue at 15%:255 lb

Result: Payload Capacity = 1700 lb

Final Answer

1700

Worked Examples

See how the calculator works with different scenarios.

Scenario

Crew-cab half-ton with options.

Inputs

GVWR:7,200 lb

Curb:5,500 lb

Calculation

Payload = 1,700 lb

Result

1,700-lb payload.

Interpretation

600-lb family + 800-lb tongue + 200-lb gear = 1,600. Just fits.

Understanding Your Result

Your Result: Payload Capacity: 1700 lb

What This Means

How much weight the truck itself can carry.

Why It Matters

Payload — not tow rating — limits most real-world towing setups.

Professional Interpretation

Treat the primary result as a planning estimate, then validate on a dyno, at the track, or with logged sensor data. If measured numbers disagree by more than ~10%, re-check inputs (units are the usual culprit) before changing parts.

Recommendations

•Double-check units on every input before trusting the result
•Compare against the worked example below to sanity-check magnitude
•Validate with measured data (dyno, timeslip, datalog) when it matters

Learn — fuel economy, deeply

Payload is GVWR minus curb — one pool spent three ways.

1 · Where the gallon goes (energy path)

Engine heat

60–70% lost

Coolant + exhaust carry most energy away. Hybrids recover some via Atkinson cycle + regen.

Driveline

5–15% lost

Transmission, differential, accessories. CVTs and 8–10 speed autos lose less.

Aero drag

∝ v²

Doubles from 55→78 mph. Roof boxes hurt more than trunks.

Rolling + brakes

10–20%

Tires, weight, stops. Regen braking (hybrid/EV) reclaims city braking energy.

4 · Measure like a pro (the 3-tank protocol)

Fill to first click at the same pump, record the odometer (Tank 0).
Drive normally for 2–3 tanks; always refill to first click at the same pump.
MPG = total miles ÷ total gallons across all tanks — averaging kills pump-click noise.
Cross-check with the trip computer; a persistent >10% gap means the computer needs calibration — or the car needs service.
Log with an OBD-II dongle for per-trip MPG if you want to isolate commute vs. highway behavior.

Practical Tips

•Read your door sticker, not the brochure
•Weigh the family + gear honestly
•Fifth wheels eat payload fastest (20%+ pin)

Common Mistakes

Mixing units (inches with mm, psi with kPa)

Convert every input to the unit shown on its field before calculating.

Trusting a single output blindly

Cross-check with the worked example and, when it matters, a dyno or datalog.

Assumptions

This calculator makes the following assumptions to provide estimates:

Steady-state model: Formulas assume stabilized conditions; transients, heat soak and traction limits are excluded.

Standard factors: Empirical constants (BSFC, VE, drivetrain loss) use typical values — your combination may differ.

Limitations

Be aware of these limitations when using this calculator:

Estimate, not measurement: Predictions carry real-world scatter of roughly ±5–15% depending on the model.

No transient effects: Shift time, wheelspin, spool lag and heat soak are not modeled here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about this calculator.

Does tongue weight count as payload?

Yes — it presses on the hitch, so it consumes truck payload pound for pound.

Where is my payload sticker?

Driver door jamb: "combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed X".

Related Calculators

Explore more calculators related to this topic.

Related Guides

Deepen your understanding with these educational resources.

Automotive Guides

Build planning, measurement protocol and validation how-tos

Glossary

Technical terms used in mortgage calculations explained in plain language.

MPG: Miles per gallon. Distance travelled per gallon of fuel; higher is better. US gallon = 3.785 L.
L/100 km: Litres consumed per 100 kilometres; lower is better. Standard metric efficiency unit.
MPGe: Miles per gallon-equivalent. EV metric: miles travelled on 33.7 kWh (energy of 1 gal of gasoline).
CAFE: Corporate Average Fuel Economy — US fleet-average efficiency standard enforced by NHTSA.
Rolling resistance: Energy lost deforming tires as they roll. Low-pressure or wide tires raise it.
Aerodynamic drag: Air resistance growing with the square of speed — why highway MPG falls fast above 60 mph.
Hypermiling: Driving techniques (coasting, steady speed, anticipation) that maximise real-world MPG.
OBD-II: On-board diagnostics port. Scanners and dongles read live MPG, fuel trim and fault codes.
Payload: Weight the vehicle can carry: occupants, cargo and trailer tongue combined.

Authoritative References

Trusted sources and standards referenced by this calculator.

EPA — FuelEconomy.gov DOE — Fuel-Efficient Driving Tips NHTSA — Driving Safety & Efficiency SAE International — Fuel Economy Standards Consumer Reports — MPG Truth IRS — Standard Mileage Rates

Applicable Standards

EPA Fuel Economy Testing (40 CFR Part 600)CAFE — Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards (NHTSA)WLTP — Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test ProcedureSAE J1321 / J1711 — Fuel consumption test proceduresISO 2575 — Road vehicles symbols & efficiency markings

Was This Calculator Helpful?

Report Issue

Page Information

Last Updated:

2026-09-27

Version:

2.0.0

References:

License:

Free to use for educational and professional purposes.