by In the wide world of RVing there are many different types of RVs and ways to pull them, one of the most common questions is “How much can I tow?” This is a question that I see a lot on forums and Facebook RV pages. Hopefully I can help you understand what you can tow and how to determine what all those acronyms are.
Below is a list of all the acronyms that you may have questions about.
Capacity Type
Dry Weight
Curb Weight
Payload
Tongue Weight
Gross Trailer Weight
Gross Axle Weight Rating
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
Gross Combined Weight Rating
Capacity Description
Total weight of the vehicle without fluids
Total Weight of the vehicle with Fluids
Total weight of any cargo and passengers
Total weight at the coupling point
Total weight of the trailer
Maximum weight on each vehicle axle
Maximum loaded weight of a vehicle
Maximum towing weight of a vehicle
Simply put dry weight is the weight of your vehicle with no fluids in it. meaning no gas, no brake fluid, no coolant, no oil ect.
Also dry weight refers to the weight of your vehicle without passengers or stored gear or equipment
“Whats the difference between dry weight and GVWR?”
Dry weight is the weight of the vehicle without fluids, GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) is the maximum weight limit for the vehicle from the manufacturer.
Curb weight is to total vehicle weight with fluids, essentially curb weight is the weight of the vehicle when it is complete from the factory and before a person is added to the overall weight of the vehicle.
Think of curb weight as how heavy it is, as it sits at the dealership with a full tank of gas..
Payload is the total weight of the cargo you are hauling.
Payload capacity is the maximum weight your vehicle can haul, meaning the weight of your cargo, people and fluids in the cab and bed of your vehicle.
Payload vs. Towing capacity
Both payload and towing capacity are maximum weight limitations determined by a vehicle manufacturer. Payload, however, is the weight limit of a truck bed and cab, while tow capacity is the weight limit for a trailer hitched up to the vehicle.
Tongue weight is the weight of the trailer as it sits on the ball or hitch of your vehicle.
You can greatly reduce the tongue weight by adjusting where the weigh is on your trailer. As odd as it may sound, by placing the weight to the rear of the trailer can reduce your tongue weight on your vehicle, but by moving the weight to the rear it can cause the trailer to pull up on the tow vehicle causing it to become wildly unstable. It is far more effective, and safe to have the weight toward the front to reduce “trailer sway” (see video below).
Gross Trailer Weight is the total weight of the trailer and its contents. Knowing how much you can load inside of your towable RV is important to know so you can safely pull your trailer without running the risk of damage, to the suspension and frame of your trailer.
Unlike GVWR, GCWR and others, gross trailer weight is not a prescribed rating, but a descriptive measurement. A trailer may have a weight rating designated by the manufacturer. This is also known as the GVWR of the trailer.
Trailer Weight Vs. Towing Capacity
Gross trailer weight is the total calculated weight of a trailer and its cargo. GTW isn’t so much a rating as it is a measurement.
Towing capacity, on the other hand, is the maximum allowable weight a vehicle can tow as determined by the manufacturer.
Gross Axle Weight Rating is the maximum weight carried individually on the front and rear axles, and puts into account not only passengers and cargo, but the TW (Tongue Weight) of the trailer you are towing.
GAWR is the most distributed weight the axle of a vehicle can support. Typically, the GAWR will include “FR” to indicate front axles or “RR” to indicate rear axles.
By carrying beyond your GAWR can damage the axles, frame and brakes of your tow vehicle.
*Never exceed your vehicles GAWR*
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Is the maximum loaded weight of your vehicle or trailer.
GVWR is the weight of the vehicle and passengers.
GVWR and GAWR can get a bit confusing, but to put it simply.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the most weight allowed of both your trailer and cargo.
Gross Combined Weight Rating is the maximum allowed rating when you add the tow vehicle and all of its contents with the trailer and all of its contents.
Example:
Tow vehicle weight loaded = 6,000
Trailer Weight loaded = 5,000
6,000 + 5,000 = 11,000
The rating for gross combined weight or gross combination weight is determined for the vehicle based on the strength of its frame, suspension, axles and other towing-related components
GVWR Vs. GCWR
GVWR refers to weight capacity of the vehicle alone. GCWR, however, is a weight rating of the vehicle but takes a hitched up trailer into account. It is the maximum weight of a vehicle with a trailer attached.
If your vehicle has a GCVW of say 18,000 and you have the numbers in the previous example you would be fine. Exceeding your vehicles GCVW can not only be dangerous to you and your passengers. but can result in damage to your vehicle as well as severe legal penalties from law enforcement. Some states require you to have a special licence if you exceed that states limit. For example here in NC that limit is 26,000 lbs. be sure to check your states laws to ensure you are operating within the law.
Payload and towing capacity
Payload and towing capacity are not the same thing, one is about carrying ability and the other is about how much you can pull. These two are often misunderstood terms for most people just starting out. Knowing what they both mean and how they apply to you can help you reduce the risk of damage to your vehicle and make towing your RV much safer.
Payload Capacity: How Much Your Vehicle Can Carry
Payload capacity is how much your vehicle can add in addition to your vehicles empty weight or Curb Weight. To make it simple a “payload” can be anything from a load of lumber to five people and gear going out for a weekend getaway.
Your maximum payload is mentioned in your owners manual, but lets be honest a quick google search is much easier. If you really want to impress your friends you can use a little math to find out your vehicles payload capacity.
First find out your vehicles GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) then subtract the Curb Weight and bam! there is your max payload capacity.
Payload Capacity = Gross Vehicle Weight – Curb Weight
Example:
Vehicles GVWR = 10,000
Curb Weight = 4,000
10,000-4,000 = 6,000 (Max payload capacity)
One thing to remember
The weight of the passengers and their gear! depending on how many people and gear is going to be in the truck you may need to adjust your max payload to adjust for the added weight.
Common payload weights you may see.
- One-quarter cord of firewood (1,250 lbs)
- One-half cubic yard of sand (1,300 to 1,500 lbs)
- One-half cubic yard of gravel (1,200 to 1,450 lbs)
- One-half cubic yard of mulch (300 to 400 lbs)
- One-half cubic yard of dirt (1,000 lbs)
Towing Capacity: How Much You Can Pull
Knowing how much you can safely tow is probably the most important numbers you should know when pulling an RV. Normally your vehicles towing capacity far out weights the payload capacity because most of the weight will be on the axles of the trailer and not on the tow vehicle.
Like maximum payload capacity you can calculate your max tow rating by using a little math.
First subtract your trucks Curb Weight from its GCVWR (Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating). The GCVWR is the maximum weight of your loaded truck and the weight of its attached trailer.
Towing Capacity = Gross Combined Vehicle Weight – Curb Weight
Example:
Vehicles GCVWR = 15,000
Vehicles Curb Weight = 4,000
15,000 – 4,000 = 11,000 (Maximum towing capacity)
Common weights you may see while towing (average weight)
- Car (2,800 lbs)
- Car trailer (1,600 to 2,000 lbs)
- Boat (2,500 lbs)
- Boat trailer (300 to 1,500 lbs)
- Camper (5,200 lbs)
Before you tow
Ignoring your vehicles ability to safely tow is the fastest way to damage your tow vehicle. you run the risk of bending the frame of the vehicle, causing catastrophic damage to the engine and transmission, and can cause brakes to fail.
Always know what your towing / hauling and what your vehicle can handle before hitting the road.
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