When it comes to hauling a heavy load, whether for business or recreational purposes, understanding how to calculate the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of your truck and trailer is essential for safety, legal, and practical reasons. The GVWR is the maximum allowable weight of a fully-loaded vehicle, including the weight of the vehicle itself (tare weight), passengers, cargo, and any additional equipment or features.

In this article, we will guide you through the process of calculating the GVWR of your truck and trailer step by step.

1. Determine the basic information of both your truck and trailer:

For your truck:

– Curb weight ( found in the owner’s manual or the driver’s side doorjamb)

– Maximum payload capacity (found in owner’s manual)

For your trailer:

– Unladen weight or tare weight (found on a plate attached to the trailer or in its manual)

– Maximum payload capacity (found on the same plate or in the manual)

2. Calculate GVWR for your truck:

GVWR (Truck) = Curb weight (Truck) + Maximum payload capacity (Truck)

3. Calculate GVWR for your trailer:

GVWR (Trailer) = Unladen weight (Trailer) + Maximum payload capacity (Trailer)

4. Determine combined vehicle weight:

Combined Vehicle Weight = GVWR (Truck) + GVWR (Trailer)

5. Check legality and safety:

Now that you have calculated your combined vehicle weight, compare it to your truck’s Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR). The GCWR can be found in the owner’s manual or on the truck’s manufacturer’s website. To ensure both safety and legality, make sure that your calculated combined vehicle weight does not exceed your truck’s GCWR.

Additionally, verify that you are not exceeding any axle weight ratings – Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for both the truck and trailer. These ratings can also be found in their respective manuals or on data plates.

In conclusion, understanding how to calculate the GVWR of your truck and trailer is crucial for safety while on the road, as well as meeting legal requirements. By following the simple steps outlined above, you can ensure that your vehicle is operating within its designated limits and significantly minimize any risks associated with hauling heavy loads.