The maximum allowable weight of a fully loaded vehicle, including liquids, passengers, cargo, and the tongue weight of any towed vehicle.
The maximum allowable weight each axle assembly is designed to carry, as measured at the tires, including the weight of the axle assembly itself.
GAWR is established by evaluating each axle component (tires, wheels, springs, axle) and rating the axle based on its weakest component. Vehicle manufacturers often assume equal loading on each side of the axle; however, this should not be assumed for RVs.
Because RVs are essentially homes on wheels, side-to-side weight imbalances are common. Axle manufacturers generally consider an axle overloaded if the load on one side exceeds half of the GAWR.
The maximum allowable weight of a combination vehicle, including the fully loaded tow vehicle and any attached towed vehicles such as trailers or towed cars.
GCWR assumes that the towed vehicle is equipped with functioning brakes, with some exceptions for very light towed vehicles (typically under 1,500 pounds).
The maximum allowable towed vehicle weight for a hitch component. Each component of a ball-type hitch (receiver, drawbar, ball, etc.) has its own rating.
Some hitch components have different ratings when used with a weight-distributing system. This term is sometimes incorrectly substituted for trailer GVWR; GVWR is the more accurate term when referring to the trailer manufacturer’s maximum allowable loaded trailer weight.
Also referred to as:
These terms describe the maximum allowable vertical load that can be carried by the hitch.
The maximum load capacity of a tire is molded into the tire sidewall, along with a corresponding cold inflation pressure. Tires may also include a three-digit load index that identifies the maximum load capacity.
Reducing tire inflation pressure reduces the tire’s load-carrying capacity. Tire manufacturers and tire standards organizations publish load and inflation charts to establish safe load capacities at various inflation pressures.
These terms are often used interchangeably. In RV applications, vehicles have weight, which imposes loads on tires, axles, and hitches.
Scale measurements represent loads carried by the tires. These measured loads are used to calculate:
The weight of a vehicle as built at the factory with full fuel, engine or generator oil, and coolant. It does not include cargo, fresh water, LP gas, occupants, or dealer-installed accessories.
The weight of a vehicle as built at the factory with full fuel, operating fluids (oil, coolants, washer fluid, etc.), and full propane containers.
This definition does not include the weight of a full fresh water tank.
The maximum weight of cargo that can be added to a towable RV before exceeding the GVWR. Fresh water is considered cargo and must be subtracted from the CCC.
CCC is calculated by the manufacturer using the weight of the trailer as it left the factory, including full propane containers.
The maximum combined weight of occupants and cargo that can be added to a motorized RV before exceeding the GVWR.
Passenger weight, cargo, fresh water, and trailer tongue weight are all considered cargo and must be subtracted from the OCCC.
The maximum weight of all personal belongings, food, fresh water, LP gas, tools, dealer-installed accessories, and other cargo that can be carried by the RV.
Calculated as the manufacturer-designated number of sleeping positions multiplied by 154 pounds (70 kilograms).