WEIGHT RATINGS
The Trailer Weight Information label (located inside
the inside lower bar on the screen door on almost all
trailers and fth wheels) provides weight data critical to
understanding the maximum load of a travel trailer or
fth 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 fth 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 side front corner outside the trailer.
DETERMINING TRAILER WEIGHT
To determine the weight of a loaded trailer:
Locate public weight scale.
1.
Park your trailer and disconnect it on the scale. Both
2.
wheels and jacks should be on the scale.
The reading will be the Gross Vehicle Weight of the
3.
trailer and should not exceed the GVWR as indicated
on the manufacturer Federal ID tag.
To determine Gross Axle Weight - Both Axles:
Leave trailer connected to the tow vehicle.
1.
Be certain the trailer is level.
2.
Leave the tow vehicle off the scale.
3.
Roll forward far enough so both trailer axles are
4.
on the scale.
The reading will be the Gross Axle Weight for
5.
both axles.
To determine Gross Axle Weight - Each Axle
Leave trailer connected to the tow vehicle.
1.
Be certain the trailer is level.
2.
Leave the tow vehicle off the scale.
3.
Roll forward far enough so only rear trailer axle (two
4.
tires) is on the scale.
The reading will be the Gross Axle Weight for the
5.
rear axle.
Subtract the total Gross Axle Weight from the rear
6.
axle weight to calculate the front axle weight.
To determine hitch weight:
Subtract the total Gross Axle Weight reading from
1.
the Gross Vehicle Weight reading. This gure is the
loaded hitch weight.
If equalizer equipment is installed, this will affect
2.
both hitch and axle weight
Sample Trailer Weight Information Labels
These labels should be af xed on the front roadside of most travel trailers & fth wheels.
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