Gross vehicle weight limits

[sea_goin_dude]

Check the following to see if you may be close to or over the safe weight limits for your towing vehicle and trailer.

A gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)[1] is the maximum allowable total weight of a road vehicle or trailer when loaded - i.e including the weight of the vehicle itself plus fuel, passengers, cargo, and trailer tongue weight.

The difference between gross weight and curb weight is the total passenger and cargo weight capacity of the vehicle. For example, a pickup truck with a curb weight of 4,500 pounds (2,041 kg) might have a cargo capacity of 2,000 pounds (907 kg), meaning it can have a gross weight of 6,500 pounds (2,948 kg) when fully loaded.

Most cars / trucks, have a placard (sticker) with this information. It is located typically either in the driver's side door or doorframe, owners manual, or also may be present on another sticker immediately under the hood near the radiator, although that sticker more typically contains information about the size of the motor, various fluid capacities, etc.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Gross vehicle weight limits

To carry that information one step farther, that sticker usually carries front and rear axle weight ratings using a specific tire size. Just because you install larger tires does not raise the axle capacity. It might -- but you cannot confirm that from the label because the physical structure of the axle/spindles may already be at the limit with the specified tires. Therefore, if towing a trailer, rear axle weight rating is also a consideratiion -- not just the towing capacity or GVWR.

 

[wifisher]

Re: Gross vehicle weight limits

Keep in mind that this information does not include trailer weight, or give any information about what a safe trailer weight is. It gives the maximum for the rear axle, but you could easily hook up to an overloaded trailer and still be within allowable weights on both axles.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Gross vehicle weight limits

To carry that information one step farther, that sticker usually carries front and rear axle weight ratings using a specific tire size. Just because you install larger tires does not raise the axle capacity.

Larger tires might de-rate the vehicle, even if it isn't specifically listed as such. Bigger tires means a longer gear ratio, as well as reducing your braking capability.