WEIGHT RATINGS
The Trailer Weight Information label (located inside the
kitchen sink cabinet door on almost all trailers and fifth
wheels) provides weight data critical to understanding
the maximum load of a travel trailer or fifth wheel:
GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR)
is
the maximum permissible weight of the trailer. The
weight of the empty trailer, plus weight added in the form
of water, food, clothing, and anything else in or attached
to the trailer must not exceed the GVWR. In other words,
the GVWR is equal to or greater than Unloaded Vehicle
Weight plus the Cargo Carrying Capacity.
The
UNLOADED VEHICLE WEIGHT (UVW)
is the
weight of the travel trailer or fifth wheel as manufactured.
This is the weight on the trailer axles and tongue or pin.
CARGO CARRYING CAPACITY
is the maximum
weight of personal belongings, food, fresh water,
PROPANE gas tools, accessories, etc. that can be loaded.
The
GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING (GAWR)
represents the allowable empty vehicle’s axle weight plus
Cargo Carrying Capacity excluding the hitch weight. The
weight is divided between each axle and each has its own
GAWR. The total of axle load plus the tongue weight
must not exceed the trailer GVWR. The GAWR is located
on the manufacturer’s Federal ID label on the left sie
front corner outside the trailer.
DETERMINING TRAILER WEIGHT
To determine the weight of a loaded trailer:
1.Locate public weight scale.
2.Park your trailer and disconnect it on the scale. Both
wheels and jacks should be on the scale.
3.The reading will be the Gross Vehicle Weight of the
trailer and should not exceed the GVWR as indicated
on the manufacturer Federal ID tag.
To determine Gross Axle Weight - Both Axles:
1.Leave trailer connected to the tow vehicle.
2.Be certain the trailer is level.
3.Leave the tow vehicle off the scale.
4.Roll forward far enough so both trailer axles are on
the scale.
5.The reading will be the Gross Axle Weight for both
axles.
To determine Gross Axle Weight - Each Axle
1.Leave trailer connected to the tow vehicle.
2.Be certain the trailer is level.
3.Leave the tow vehicle off the scale.
4.Roll forward far enough so only rear trailer axle (two
tires) is on the scale.
5.The reading will be the Gross Axle Weight for the
rear axle.
6.Subtract the total Gross Axle Weight from the rear
axle weight to calculate the front axle weight.
Sample Trailer Weight Information Label
This label is affixed inside a lower sink cabinet door in most travel trailers & fifth wheel
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