Is payload the same as towing capacity?

No. Towing capacity is what a vehicle may pull. Payload is what it may carry, and the tow-ball download from that trailer counts against payload.

Do passengers count towards payload?

Yes, everyone in the vehicle counts, including the driver. Use realistic weights; 80 kg per adult is a common working figure.

Can I increase my payload?

Only by raising the GVM through a certified GVM upgrade, or by reducing kerb weight with lighter accessories. Stiffer springs or airbags on their own don't change your legal payload.

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What Is Payload? How Much Your Vehicle Can Carry

Payload is how much weight a vehicle can carry before it reaches its GVM: GVM minus kerb weight. Passengers, luggage, aftermarket accessories and the tow-ball download from a trailer all come out of it.