GVWR vs GCWR. What is included?

Bill and Marie in TX wrote:
Thanks again, and yes, I found a yellow tag that lists the maximum allowable load weight for occupants and cargo as 1559 # so unless we carry 1100+ # worth of food, stuff, and dogs it should be ok. I prefer to always run with mostly empty tanks, just carrying a bit of fresh water (10-15 gals) for flushing and washing hands on the road.

1,500 pounds is not very much weight capacity. You will have to be very careful.

Of course if you will only tow a boat with a 200 pound hitch, you will be fine. Anything heavier, and you will need your actual weight, after packing the RV for a trip, including the 10 gallons of fresh water.

You will need to be especially aware that loading the hitch ball some 8 feet behind the rear axle will transfer a lot more weight to the rear axle than the actual trailer hitch weight. It is like a lever pushing down on the bumper, pushing down on the rear axle, and lifting the front axle slightly.

So 400 pounds hitch weight will mean about 600 pounds more weight applied to the rear tires. Do not exceed your 8400 rear axle weight rating, that is all the tires are rated at!

And with only 1,500 pounds to spare, my guess is that Thor did check the weight on a unit several years ago, same model number, and GVWR - that motorhome weight left only about 1,500 pounds for cargo and other stuff.

Chances are that they did not weigh YOUR motorhome. But a motorhome 'like' yours.

Good luck,

Fred.