GVWR and GAWR

Thank you very much for the information. It is very helpful.

easiest answer is safety the average joe/jane isn't going to worry about or know about loading for even weight distribution..to get a truck that is rated with a gvw close to axle ratings you used to have to get a class 4 or 5 truck {450/550} my 550 can be rated at it's axle ratings of 6,000 front and 13,500 rear..for your truck camper your rear axle rating is biggest thing since truck campers with overhangs tend to unload the front axle..

Could someone please tell me why GVWR is less than the manufacturer specification limits for GAWR front plus GAWR rear?

Only the vehicle manufacturer can tell you why they chose the trucks GVWR or FAWR/RAWR.

In fact some of the new model trucks have GVWRs close to the sum of the vehicles axle/tire load ratings.

The trucks GVWR isn't used in a legal sense as how much load any truck can carry. Thats determined by the vehicles axle/tire load ratings.

Most TCs on crew cab trucks add little to no weight on the trucks front axle so watch those 6084 RAWR numbers.

Every truck owner should know his trucks front and rear unladin axle weight numbers.

Example; I've seen lots of 2500 4x4 GM owners have around 2700-3000 lbs unladin rear axle weight which leaves them around 3000-3300 lbs of payload. Get'r weighed.
Now don't stress out here as the only difference in your 2500 GM and the 3500 SRW is the SRW has higher rated rear spring pack/wheels and tires. GM uses the same big 11.5" AAM on the 2500 and 3500 DRW/SRW trucks so you sure won't stress the axle.

A google on your question has lots of opinions on the GAWRs = GVWR.

Jeff,

If you want to stay under gross truck weight and payload weights then subtract the empty truck weight from the gross weight. That is your allowable weight for fuel, people, tools, dogs, and the camper. In your case that weight is around 2500 pounds. Most truck camper owners use about 500-1000 pounds as a rule of thumb for water and stuff if the manufacturer does not include water, propane and batteries in their weights. Adding overload spring bumpers, air bags, tires, shocks etc. does not increase the gross weight of the truck but it does help with the camper ride. The axle gross weights are never to be exceeded and are always higher combined than the truck's gross weight. If you plan to tow any trailer the tongue weight is deducted from the truck's payload. Folks towing a trailer and hauling a truck camper usually opt for a one ton and a one ton dually is almost required for campers that are around 4000 pounds and also towing much of any trailer. From your numbers you have space in your rear axle rating of about 3150 pounds, not much as it relates to the larger truck campers. And that 3150 pounds also includes people and stuff inside the truck.

Many on the TC forums will go over GVWR slightly, like less than 10 percent, but I know of none that are willing to go over any axle gross weight.

If you want what the factory says is "OK" open the glove box and find the piece of paper with the factory load rating, this gives you what the truck can carry with all occupant seats filled with 150lb people and full fuel etc. If you bought used hopefully it's still there otherwise see next paragraph.

If you want to be ballpark add the front and rear actual weights and subtract from the GVWR, this gives you what all cargo can be. If you don't have all seating positions filled you will have more cargo allowance. Also figure you'll have 500lbs (minimum) added to any advertised weight of a camper for gear. Also some campers are weighed "dry" which means no propane or water, Lance weighs with full fluids but no options.

No truck has a GVWR equal to the front and rear axle ratings added up. Mostly due to the fact that it would be almost impossible to load a truck so precisely that both axles were loaded to capacity and neither was over.

Many folks are over the GVWR but under the axle ratings, most of those have done upgrades. If you want to be completely "OK" then stick to the manufacturer's ratings.

Good luck on your hunt, TCs are a great way to get away.
Dave
(900lbs over GVWR but under axle ratings, many upgrades)