Payload Question

[Chief T]

This may be silly, but I know every bit of payload capacity you have, the better.

Bought our new to us 12 GMC Sierra 6.2l in June. Payload sticker reads 1440 lbs. There is an after market tonneau cover on the back which is 30 lbs. So now I'm down to 1410 payload. Going through my files the other day I found the Carfax for the GMC. There is an entry that the running boards were removed on the pre-inspection delivery.

So, I guess the question is... with the side steps removed would the payload go back up to about 1440 lbs?

Safe and happy travels.

[Bama Rambler]

Depending on whether the running boards were factory equipment. As in, put on at the factory before the truck was delivered to a dealer. If they were, then taking them off increasing the payload by the amount they weigh.

[Kimber45]

why on earth would it matter? if you are worried about 30 pounds you have bigger issues and should of bought a different truck. 30/1440 is roughly .02% of your payload

[Ejs4029]

I would just go weigh it to see exactly what payload you have left....Subtract the weight from your GVWR I think is 6,800 to 7,000lbs on your Sierra but check to make sure and there you go No more wondering.

[2rad4u]

Originally Posted by Kimber45

why on earth would it matter?

Yes, please explain

[Kimber45]

I have to explain the insignificance of 30 pounds? do you take the exact same stuff with you every time you leave with your camper? 30 pounds out of 1400 is nothing. I didn't take a piss the last time I left camping should I head to the scales to weight again?

[67L48]

Originally Posted by Kimber45

[...] and should of bought [...]

That's probably all you need to read of that response that implies the OP is the idiot in this equation.

Despite claims to the contrary, I don't believe it's a silly question -- different opinions are what a forum is about. I am one that thinks every pound matters and there's no harm in counting it up. I see more harm in the converse behavior -- using broad-brush strokes and assumptions.

As mentioned above, the payload from the factory is measured with factory equipment. So, whether you get a payload "give-back" upon the deletion of a piece of equipment is solely dependent on when that piece of equipment was added.

Newer trucks (past 15 years) are more apt to have factory running boards, but they don't necessarily have them.

Good luck.

[Cabinfever97]

I don't believe it is a silly question either. Knowing where you are all the time may make a difference down the road. If you never keep track of weight added or taken away how would you really know where you are. Disappointed in some of the responses. Never a silly question, just bad answers,

[cmac7203]

Originally Posted by Ejs4029

I would just go weigh it to see exactly what payload you have left....Subtract the weight from your GVWR I think is 6,800 to 7,000lbs on your Sierra but check to make sure and there you go No more wondering.

X2, that’s the best way to know...

[Boomerweps]

When in doubt, CAT Scale it and math is your friend.
Yeah, 30# isn't much overall BUT in my case, unlike the OP's curiousity, I'm running on the edge on my TV rear GAWR and TT GAWR. So I went through the TV & TT "with a fine tooth comb", carefully assessing & pulling out unused, thought nice to have, and might be needed items. Weighed all the items removed. Now, AFAIK, I'm back at or under weight ratings. I will CAT Scale it again when my travels take me near the scales.