Need help to understand weights on RV

Thanks again, everyone!

huntdooly wrote:
Being a total newbie, I can't understand these terms and figures. Could surely use some help to know what is the cargo carrying capacity and how much of a toad we can tow.

GVWR - 22,000
FRONT GAWR - 8,000
REAR GAWR - 14,500
BASE WEIGHT - 18,300
GCWR - 26,000
HITCH WEIGHT RATING - 5,000
TONGUE WEIGHT - 500

Thanks for your help in advance!

Looks like you have 4K of CC, so that's good.
If you're at GVWR loaded with people and ready to go, then you can tow 4K and the difference between it and the GCWR. If less than GVWR, then you can tow more, but not to exceed 5K. If you're at GAWR on the rear, no matter the total, then you can only tow 4 down, as you're 500lb hitch rating is now gone.
Having said this, we towed a ton over, 4 down and all over the country, with the only ill effects of the tranny sometime going into limp mode on long 6% grades in the extreme heat of summer.
The tranny is usually the weakest link.
There's ways to combat that also, but the main thing is for making sure that the hardware is sound and so nothing breaks or falls off. Toad braking is most important and a must have for descending these grades!

huntdooly wrote:
Wow!! Thanks everyone! There is so much to learn!! I don't have this rig...it's a potential purchase. I wondered how much we could carry on it as part of my research.

Well, NOW at least you know what to look for. Before buying a USED coach, be sure to check the date codes on the tires too. That could be a deal breaker. If you don't know how or where to find them, ask on a new post. Lots of people here who can help with your questions. Don't be afraid to ask. Also, there's a search box at the top that can give you many posts that may answer any question you might have. Often, it's helpful to check there first......Dennis

Wow!! Thanks everyone! There is so much to learn!! I don't have this rig...it's a potential purchase. I wondered how much we could carry on it as part of my research.

Now for the good stuff. BEFORE you get more confused, load your rig as you would when leaving on a week long trip. Fill it with fuel and only about 1/4 tank of fresh water. (unless you like to dry camp, then fill it full) Remember, water weighs in at about 8#/gallon. Once you've got it all ready, truck on down to your local truck stop, grain elevator, moving company etc. Look in phone book for commercial scales near your zip code. Have your rig weighed. You'll only get axle weight though not corner weights, but that's ok, it's better than nothing. Weighing is easy. Pull up on the scale with the front axle on the first scale and the drive axle on the other one. Press the button to talk to the scale person then go inside and pay and get your weight receipt. Once you have that you'll know where you stand. If you're like most of us, you'll then have to go home and decide what you're taking OUT to lower the weight. You'll be surprised at how much everything weighs. With your weight ticket, you'll be able to figure out what your CCC is. (CCC=Cargo Carrying Capacity). The weight ticket will also tell you what the proper PSI will be for your tires. Come back with that information and we'll be happy to assist you further.....Dennis

azdryheat & OP,

If the rig weighs 19,100 pounds, they can put 2,900 pounds (GVWR-Actual weight or 22,000-19,100) of people, food, water & stuff in it, assuming the 19,100 included fuels. The 3,700 lb. towed is under 4,000 lbs., so they can use the entire GVWR for cargo capacity inside. But, the extra 300 lbs. of GCWR can't be applied to extra capacity INSIDE the moho. That also assumes an axle isn't overloaded, which is probably unlikely, but still a possibility. Yes, I know in this case, your number and mine only differ by a bit, but with different weights, the differences can be more important.

OP, if your towed is 4,500 lbs., like our Odyssey, then the max we can load into the moho is 21,500 lbs. as the "extra" 500 lbs. of GVWR is used up by the towed to keep us under the 26,000 GCWR.

Best advice, find some CAT scales or similar and weigh your rig fully loaded as you normally travel. Get at least the front axle and rear axle weights. Individual corner weights are nice, but not usually possible. Once you've done that, you can determine how much you can tow with your rig.

As was mentioned, if you use ALL of your 22,000 lbs. GVWR for people, food & stuff, then you can only tow up to 4,000 lbs. to remain under the GCWR, even though your hitch is rated at 5,000 lbs. That's by the numbers, which I recommend following.

Hope this helps.

~Rick

“26,000-19,100-3,700 = 3200 pounds of people and stuff” Only if you weighed with full fuel and water. Unfortunately in the real world, that rig will not have 3200 lbs of CCC. Max toad weight is 4000 lbs as you will be at or over your 22,000 gross weight rating.

GVWR is how much your motorhome can weigh when fully loaded.
GCWR is the combined weight of your fully loaded motorhome and your toad.

You need to weigh your unloaded coach to learn it's true empty weight. Then weigh your toad. If your coach weighs 19,100 pounds, for example, and the car weighs 3,700 pounds, for example, then you can load up your coach with 26,000-19,100-3,700 = 3200 pounds of people and stuff.