What makes up a GVWR rating?

Ron Gratz wrote:

skipnchar wrote:

The GVWR has no legal status.

That is a totally false statement. Two items are REQUIRED BY LAW and information about them are REQUIRED BY LAW to be attached to any new trailer sold. They are attached via a DOT REQUIRED SAFETY PLATE. These items are GVWR and GAWR (axle ratings)

Yes, the US federal government does require a Manufacturer Certification Label specifying the GVWR to be placed on each recreational trailer.

However, the fact that such a label must be placed on each trailer does not mean it is a violation of US law to exceed the GVWR.
If you really believe otherwise, you should provide a link to a credible information source.

As regards British Columbia -- The BC Motor Vehicle Act Regulations Section 19.11 Overload Prohibition states:

(1) Unless operating under the provisions of an overload permit issued under the Commercial Transport Act, no person shall operate or cause to be operated a vehicle that is loaded in such a manner that the gross weight carried by any axle exceeds the gross weight rating for that axle as specified by the vehicle manufacturer, or the gross vehicle weight exceeds the gross vehicle weight rating for that vehicle as specified by the vehicle manufacturer.

and

(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to a vehicle
(a) manufactured before January 1, 2001, and
(b) having a gross vehicle weight rating of 5 500 kg or less.

Therefore, if I read subsection (3) correctly, if the trailer is manufactured after 1/1/2001 or its GVWR is greater than 5,500 kg, it appears it would be illegal to exceed its GVWR while towing in British Columbia.

Ron

I bow to your expertise and knowledge Ron.

I was making the point that at least in the USA it is not a crime to exceed the GVWR on a personal/pleasure vehicle. The manufacturer's rating is between the owner and manufacturer, not the state. It is a crime to break the (state) law which is typically 80,000 pounds per vehicle and 20,000 pounds per axle. It appears that Canada does endorse the manufacturer's rating to a point.

According to your post, and since the OP's trailer GVWR is less than 5,500kg (12,125 pounds) it is exempt from the regulation you posted. I was correct that the GVWR has no legal status at least in this instance.

I am happy that KZ will be taking care of the problem. It sounds like a really scary thing to find.