GVWR, GCWR and payload, explained
GVWR is the most your vehicle may weigh with everything in it. GCWR is the most the vehicle and trailer may weigh together. Payload is what you can add to the empty vehicle. A safe tow stays under all three, and under the trailer and hitch limits too.
The five numbers
- GVWR · Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
- The maximum the vehicle may weigh fully loaded: the vehicle itself, people, cargo and the trailer's tongue weight.
- GCWR · Gross Combined Weight Rating
- The maximum for the loaded vehicle and the loaded trailer together.
- Curb weight
- The empty vehicle with full fluids and no people or cargo.
- Payload
- Everything you can add to the vehicle: people, cargo, accessories and tongue weight. Payload = GVWR − curb weight.
- Tongue weight
- The downward push of the trailer on the hitch ball. For a conventional trailer it is usually 10–15% of the trailer's loaded weight.
How they fit together
Loaded vehicle + loaded trailer ≤ GCWR
Loaded trailer ≤ maximum trailer weight
Tongue weight ≤ hitch tongue limit
People + cargo + tongue weight ≤ payload
Worked example
Example figures for an imaginary truck: payload 1,500 lbs, maximum trailer 7,000 lbs, hitch tongue limit 700 lbs. You want to tow a 6,000-lb camper with two adults (350 lbs) and 200 lbs of gear in the truck.
Payload used: 350 + 200 + 720 = 1,270 lbs → under 1,500
Trailer: 6,000 lbs → under 7,000
The trailer and payload pass, but the hitch does not. Loading the camper so its tongue weight drops to about 11% (660 lbs) would fix it. Run your own numbers.
Where to find your numbers
GVWR is printed on the certification label on the driver's door jamb. The tire and loading label next to it states the most your occupants and cargo may weigh, which is your real payload. GCWR, maximum trailer weight and hitch limits are in the owner's manual and the maker's towing guide for your model year.