Every time that I think I have a handle on these, they seem to explode in my mind. I know what each of the letters stand for, Gross Combined Weight Rating,........etc., and I know what they mean. What's confusing me, is the application of the ratings.Example: My truck, 6.7 diesel, 3.55's, srw, has a GCWR of 23,500 pounds, a GVWR of 11.5k, and the truck weighs ~7.5k. If I have an 18.5k fifth wheel with pin weight of 3k, and drop the pin in the back of the truck, the truck now weighs 10.5k. The actual trailer weight after hook up is 15.5k. If the total rig was sitting on a scale, the total weight would be 26k. Is the truck overloaded? The 10.5 does not exceed the GVWR, and the 15.5k trailer does not exceed the max trailer weight of 15.7k pounds. Is the trailer weight, the weight as it's hooked up with the 3k sitting on the truck? Or, is it the total sitting weight of the trailer, unhooked?

The trailer weight is how much it weighs. Not how much it weighs minus the pin. Your truck still has to tote that 3,000 pounds too. It doesn't magically go away when it presses on the rear axle.The truck in question would not be overload as you're not exceeding the GVWR. However, you would be towing over the advertised limit of the truck because the whole rig weighs 26,000 but the GCWR is only 23,500. Tow rating is not a legally enforceable number. Other than going slower up hills I wouldn't have a problem towing that much with that truck.

Thanks, KD4. I guess my biggest confusion was/is 'Trailer Weight". I know that trailer weight is what it weighs on a scale but I 'think' that is different than max tow weight. In my example, the trailer has a pin weight of 3k pounds and when that weight is transferred to the truck, the trailer, sitting on a scale would weigh 15.5k pounds, which is what the truck will actually be pulling. The 3k pin weight just gets added to the GVW, which is still well within limits. Anyway, do you see my confusion?

We're over on GCWR but under on all others hasn't bothered us except for MPG and I don't know if that 1000 over would make a difference on MPG anyway.

I think the best way to look at your weights is to place a safety zone on them. The truck’s GVWR is 11.5K. That’s it’s maximum safe weight allowance from it’s manufacturer. Anything above that is going to be speculative. Same thing with the GVWR for the trailer and the entire rig’s GCWR.

Your trailer weight is 18,500, which is over the Ford towing guide specs. You're also over on the GCWR. Not a big deal as it is most likely due to your 3.55 rear end. Just means the transmission may work harder. I'd give extra attention to your transmission maintenance, and watch the temps.If you're happy with the way it tows then I would not worry about it.

GVWR, GCWR, & GVW | Good Sam Community

43 Replies

stickdog
Explorer
Sep 05, 2016
We're over on GCWR but under on all others hasn't bothered us except for MPG and I don't know if that 1000 over would make a difference on MPG anyway.
clev
Explorer
Sep 05, 2016
Thanks, KD4. I guess my biggest confusion was/is 'Trailer Weight". I know that trailer weight is what it weighs on a scale but I 'think' that is different than max tow weight. In my example, the trailer has a pin weight of 3k pounds and when that weight is transferred to the truck, the trailer, sitting on a scale would weigh 15.5k pounds, which is what the truck will actually be pulling. The 3k pin weight just gets added to the GVW, which is still well within limits. Anyway, do you see my confusion?
KD4UPL
Explorer II
Sep 05, 2016
The trailer weight is how much it weighs. Not how much it weighs minus the pin. Your truck still has to tote that 3,000 pounds too. It doesn't magically go away when it presses on the rear axle.
The truck in question would not be overload as you're not exceeding the GVWR. However, you would be towing over the advertised limit of the truck because the whole rig weighs 26,000 but the GCWR is only 23,500.
Tow rating is not a legally enforceable number. Other than going slower up hills I wouldn't have a problem towing that much with that truck.

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GVWR, GCWR, & GVW

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