No! Your payload is set at the factory, if you get pulled over, the cop will get your payload either from your sticker or your owner card. He’s not going to wanna hear that you gained payload by dropping your spare. Now if you add aftermarket parts it will decrease your payload. If there’s a issue the cop will call for back up and another cop will will show with weight mats.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Coworker has a Chevy, half ton his owners card list the truck less then 7000 lbs. which here in Pennsylvania is a class 2 but he had the dealership register his truck at class 3 which doubles the cost his yearly plates, he thinks he’s driving a class 3 truck (3/4 ton) But he’s not. Any cop is going to use the weight from the factory.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
What's the cop going to do? Pull out a set of scales and write you a ticket? They're only going to care if you're doing something *blatantly* unsafe, which is *not* in the realm of 100lbs
Towing a car with a camper in the bed? You'll probably get pulled over. Towing a triple axle 5th wheel with your 1/2 ton truck pointed to the sky? You'll probably get pulled over.
Towing a reasonable bumper pull with 100lbs in the tanks putting you over? Yeah nobody cares. You might get a ticket for *speeding* but as long as you look safe and are driving safe, no cop is going out of their way to follow you to a weigh station.
OP, the answer to your question is yes - the weight of that tire, the seats, etc. is all part of calculating payload, so the more you tear out the more you can carry in terms of physics (with the obvious sacrifice of safety and comfort). Unfortunately if you're worried about the legal ramifications (i.e. you lost control of a hideously overweight trailer and killed somebody), it's obviously unlikely to stand up in court.
*This* guy is getting a ticket, though.