Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight; Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects; Tire Information (U.S.A.)- Page 576

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Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects

Tire Information (U.S.A.)

GCW

GCW (Gross Combination Weight)

 is the weight of the loaded vehicle (GVW) plus the 

weight of the fully loaded trailer.

GCWR (Gross Combination Weight Rating)

 is the maximum allowable weight of the 

vehicle and the loaded trailer - including all cargo and passengers - that the vehicle can 

handle without risking damage. (Important: The towing vehicle's braking system is rated 

for operation at GVWR, not at GCWR. Separate functional brakes should be used for safe 

control of towed vehicles and for trailers weighing more than 1,500 lbs). 

The GCW must 

never exceed the GCWR.

Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight

 is the highest possible weight of a fully loaded trailer 

the vehicle can tow. It assumes a vehicle with only mandatory options, no cargo (internal 

or external), a tongue load of 10-15% (conventional trailer) or king pin weight of 15-25% 

(fifth-wheel trailer), and driver only (150 lbs). 

Consult your dealership (or the RV and 

Trailer Towing Guide provided by your dealership) for more detailed information.

Tongue Load or Fifth-Wheel King Pin Weight

 refers to the amount of the weight that a 

trailer pushes down on a trailer hitch.

Examples:

 For a 5000 lb conventional trailer, multiply 5000 by 0.10 and 0.15 to obtain a 

proper tongue load range of 500 to 750 lbs. For an 11,500 lb fifth-wheel trailer, multiply by 

0.15 and 0.25 to obtain a proper king pin load range of 1,725 to 2,875 lbs.

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