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TucsonJim's avatar
TucsonJim
Explorer II
Mar 14, 2016

GAWR Question

My Fifth Wheel has 6,000 pound rated axles, and the Gross Axle Weight Rating on the decal says GAWR 6,000#. I've always assumed that this means that the maximum load is divided in 1/2 to give 3000# maximum load per wheel position. Is this a correct assumption?

Let me give an example:

GAWR = 6,000
Max Wheel Load = 3,200
Max Tire Load = 3,520

If I had the rig loaded at 3,100 on one side, and 2,900 on the other side, I would not be overloaded on the tire and wheel. The axle would still have 6,000 pounds between the two wheels. Is this an overload or not?

I've done some research and can't seem to find any decent information on this topic other than peoples opinion on RV/trucking forums. Can anyone point me to some official documentation that explains how this works?

Thanks much.

Jim

25 Replies

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  • momentum_rv's avatar
    momentum_rv
    Explorer
    Mar 14, 2016
    He knows they are 6000lb axles. He is wanting to know if a weight bias to one side that is more than half the axle rating is considered overloaded (even if under ratings on wheel and tire.)
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Mar 14, 2016
    Something is not correct. Looking at the specs your rig has a gross weight of 13,995. I would say your axles would be 6000 pounders each.
    Time to crawl under and get your axle make, model and weight spec off tag.
    your 5er specs
  • luckeydr's avatar
    luckeydr
    Explorer
    Mar 14, 2016
    Jim,

    You are overthinking the issue. Best way to do think this through, is to not go over whatever the lowest load capacity is, in your case on one wheel your max load is 3200#. So If you are at 3100 on one side (wheel) then you are still under max load capacity. Now as for the axle, yes that is a combination of both wheel/tires even though their capacity is now over 6000#, you are limited to 6000# axle rating. So once again the lowest capacity rules. I don't think you will find anything that states official figures on this, but will state not to go over load capacity. Hope this helps. Clear as mud?

    Don
  • Artum_Snowbird's avatar
    Artum_Snowbird
    Explorer
    Mar 14, 2016
    It looks to me that you are right on the money. Your total axle is 6000, the max on one side is 3200, and the tires are capable of 3520.
  • laknox's avatar
    laknox
    Nomad
    Mar 14, 2016
    TucsonJim wrote:
    My Fifth Wheel has 6,000 pound rated axles, and the Gross Axle Weight Rating on the decal says GAWR 6,000#. I've always assumed that this means that the maximum load is divided in 1/2 to give 3000# maximum load per wheel position. Is this a correct assumption?

    Let me give an example:

    GAWR = 6,000
    Max Wheel Load = 3,200
    Max Tire Load = 3,520

    If I had the rig loaded at 3,100 on one side, and 2,900 on the other side, I would not be overloaded on the tire and wheel. The axle would still have 6,000 pounds between the two wheels. Is this an overload or not?

    I've done some research and can't seem to find any decent information on this topic other than peoples opinion on RV/trucking forums. Can anyone point me to some official documentation that explains how this works?

    Thanks much.

    Jim


    =Technically= the company engineer would likely say that the heavy side would be slightly overloaded. In reality, you'd likely have to be over the FW's GVW to max out the axles...=unless= you were under-axled to begin with. Would =I= worry about it? Probably not. :-)

    Lyle

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