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Overloading a vehicle punishes components and
can lead to shortened service life or outright
failure.
The capacity of the tires is included as part of
the axle and suspension system, which is to be
considered when determining the lowest rated
component. Tires are rated to carry a specific
maximum load at a specific maximum tire
pressure.
Passenger car type tires when installed on light
trucks and multipurpose passenger vehicles are
rated at 10% lower load carrying capacity due to
the differences in vehicle usages.
The vehicle must not be loaded to both the front
and rear GAWR because the GVWR will be
exceeded. The GAWR of the front and rear axles
exceed the GVWR when added together to allow
flexibility in fore and aft loading of cargo.
With the tires inflated to the specified pressure
the total weight of your vehicle must not exceed
the GVWR and GAWR specified on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label. This includes full
fuel tank(s), vehicle equipment, and occupants as
well as the cargo load.
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)
GCWR is the maximum combined weight of the
towing vehicle (including passengers and cargo)
and the loaded trailer. The GCWR is specified
by the manufacturer to indicate the combined
maximum loaded weight that the vehicle is
designed to tow.
Maximum Trailer Weight Rating
The maximum weight of a trailer the vehicle is
permitted to tow. The maximum trailer weight
rating is specified by the manufacturer and is
determined by subtracting the vehicle curb
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weight for each engine/transmission
combination, any required option weight for
trailer towing and the weight of the driver from
the GCWR for the towing vehicle.
Maximum Trailer Weight
The maximum weight of a trailer the loaded
vehicle is permitted to tow. The maximum
weight of the trailer is determined by subtracting
the weight of the loaded towing
vehicle (including passengers and cargo) from
the GCWR for the towing vehicle.
Trailer Weight Range
The trailer weight range is a specified range by
weight, which the trailer must fall within,
ranging from zero to the maximum trailer
weight rating.
Calculating The Load
To know how much weight your vehicle can
carry:
❑
Obtain ratings from your Safety Compliance
Certification Label, and the Trailer towing
specifications in the owner guide (refer to the
Index)
— Refer to the following sample illustration
to locate the various ratings on your
Safety Compliance Certification Label.
— If you do not plan on pulling a trailer, do
not include these ratings into your
calculations.
❑
Weigh your vehicle as you customarily
operate the vehicle without cargo.
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❑
Subtract the total weight of passengers, driver
and optional equipment added by the factory,
dealer or aftermarket supplier to determine
how much cargo weight you can carry.
Sample label
If you suspect that your payload is excessive,
have your vehicle weighed at a highway weigh
station or appropriate commercial facility. Weigh
the total vehicle and trailer (if applicable), then
separately weigh the vehicle at the front and
rear wheels. And finally, weigh the trailer
separately if applicable.
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Use this chart to perform your calculations.
NOTE:
The Truck Safety Compliance
Certification Label has two weight
related entries that sometimes cause
confusion.
Front Axle Reserve Capacity in Pounds:
On the
sample label, this value is given as 83 pounds
(38 kgs). Does this mean that you are limited to
adding only 83 pounds (38 kgs) of accessories to
the front end capacity? Not exactly. This says
that you can load 83 pounds (38 kgs) of options
on the front axle, add 150 pound (68 kgs)
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