This probably won't matter much if you don't have max tow, but if you are subtracting these numbers from the available payload on the yellow sticker (as opposed to weighing the truck) the full fuel tank is already included.

 

If 1480# is the yelo-sticker payload, that's what you can put in/on your truck. It includes people, tongue weight, and other junk. It excludes gas.

So with that truck, I could hitch up a trailer with 1000# loaded tongue weight because the wife and I and junk in the truck weigh about 480# or so.

But if I start adding the kayaks, and Leer cap and even more junk, I'd run into trouble. So I'm glad we got the truck with 2050# payload.

 

I see, we don't put much in the truck, some pillows, maybe a dog he is 110 pounds though. So I think I will load up, stop at the scales for some real life numbers and away we go. Lots of good info here in your replies guys. Much appreciated. The more exposure I get to these calculations the safer I become.

 

Nothing like kicking the guy when he's down and adding salt to the wound!!

 

That's ok, I increase my payload everytime I drive past McDonalds.