Posted by Fat Boy on August 02, 19100 at 13:26:51:
In Reply to: Just how much CAN I tow? posted by Nancy on August 02, 19100 at 11:26:52:
I think we need a couple of definitions here:
As they pertain to cars and trucks, here's some basic definitions...
GVW - Gross Vehicle Weight
Can be thought of as "curb weight"... The weight of the vehicle as it sits in your driveway with whatever you currently have in it. If you were to pull up on a truck scale, this would be the number it spits out. NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH GVWR!
GVWR - Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (or Gross Vehicle Weight Restriction depending on who you talk to)
This is the MAXIMUM allowable weight your vehicle can be when loaded. This includes the weight of the vehicle itself, all fluids (gas, oil, etc.), all occupants, all cargo, all road grime, Sierra club members stuck in grill, and the TONGUE WEIGHT from any trailer being pulled.
GAWR - Gross Axle Weight Restriction (usually referred to as Front GAWR and Rear GAWR)
This is the maximum allowable weight you can have on a particular axle when parked on level ground and no load shift (sloshing gas or water), assuming that each wheel on the axle is bearing an equal load. This is important for making sure you have your load distributed front to back properly.
GCWR - Gross COMBINED Weight Rating (or restriction)
When towing, this is the important one... the maximum allowable weight of EVERYTHING... Truck, passengers, cargo, fuel, water, and the full weight of the trailer. If you have a GCWR of 10000 lbs and your tow vehicle weighs 5000 lbs when loaded, you can only pull a 5000 lb trailer, regardless of the vehicles advertised tow rating.
Hope this clears some things up.
Fat Boy
P.S. The wheels and tires also have a maximum load rating that should not be ignored.