Newbie Tow Capacity Question
Hello All, Looking into getting a travel trailer but not completely understanding the weight ratings and how they compare to the tow vehicle's capacity. I've got a 2015 Silverado 1500 double cab...
Forum Discussion
UVW is the unladen weight or the empty weight (AKA "Curb weight") as it comes from factory.
GVWR is Gross Vehicle Weight Rating which is the max allowable weight of the trailer.
UVW is always less than the GVWR.
The difference between GVWR and UVW is your available cargo weight of the trailer.
It usually is a safer bet to use the GVWR weight when selecting a trailer knowing you most likely will not exceed the GVWR when loaded (absolutely no one takes a RV camping unloaded).
There are some trailers which may have a very high available cargo rating and using GVWR may exclude you from buying and using those trailers.. But, be very aware, brochure published UVW can be misleading and often those weights may not reflect Propane and battery weight or anything installed at the dealer.
If you use the UVW you will have to account for any added options and your personal gear that you put into the trailer and that stuff adds up very quickly.. Water, food, pots, pans, bedding, clothing, electronics are all things you will need to figure out to stay withing your tow ratings..
However some vehicle tow rating are bogus and often you will hit the tow vehicles available cargo ratings before hitting the max tow rating..
Best to find out what your vehicle has for available cargo weight before committing to any trailer. Your trailer tongue weight actually counts as "cargo" of your tow vehicle..
GVWR is Gross Vehicle Weight Rating which is the max allowable weight of the trailer.
UVW is always less than the GVWR.
The difference between GVWR and UVW is your available cargo weight of the trailer.
It usually is a safer bet to use the GVWR weight when selecting a trailer knowing you most likely will not exceed the GVWR when loaded (absolutely no one takes a RV camping unloaded).
There are some trailers which may have a very high available cargo rating and using GVWR may exclude you from buying and using those trailers.. But, be very aware, brochure published UVW can be misleading and often those weights may not reflect Propane and battery weight or anything installed at the dealer.
If you use the UVW you will have to account for any added options and your personal gear that you put into the trailer and that stuff adds up very quickly.. Water, food, pots, pans, bedding, clothing, electronics are all things you will need to figure out to stay withing your tow ratings..
However some vehicle tow rating are bogus and often you will hit the tow vehicles available cargo ratings before hitting the max tow rating..
Best to find out what your vehicle has for available cargo weight before committing to any trailer. Your trailer tongue weight actually counts as "cargo" of your tow vehicle..
