Owner`s manual

25
Base Curb
+
Cargo
+
Passenger
=
Gross Vehicle
Weight Weight Weight Weight (GVW)
GVW must not exceed GVWR (obtain from Safety Compliance Certification
Label on the left front door lock facing or the door latch post pillar).
GVW
+
Loaded Trailer
=
Gross Combination
Weight Weight (GCW)
GCW must not exceed GCWR (obtain from charts on pages 15–21
or your vehicle Owner’s Manual).
Base Curb Weight
is the weight of the vehicle including
a full tank of fuel and all standard
equipment. It does not include
passengers, cargo or any optional
equipment. Your dealership sales
consultant can give you this number
for the vehicle(s) you are considering.
Cargo Weight
includes all weight added to the
Base Curb Weight, including cargo
and optional equipment (check with
your sales consultant). When towing,
trailer tongue load or king pin weight
is also part of the Cargo Weight.
Payload
is the combined maximum allowable
weight of cargo and passengers that
the truck is designed to carry. It is the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating minus
the Base Curb Weight.
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
is the Base Curb Weight plus actual Cargo Weight plus passengers. It is important to remember
that GVW is not a limit or specification – it is the actual weight that is obtained when the fully-
loaded vehicle is driven onto a scale.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
is the maximum allowable weight of the fully-loaded vehicle (including passengers and cargo).
This number – along with other weight limits, as well as tire, rim size and inflation pressure data –
is shown on the vehicle’s Safety Compliance Certification Label, located on the left front door lock
facing or the door latch post pillar (see next page). The GVW must never exceed the GVWR.
Gross Axle Weight (GAW)
is the total weight placed on each axle (front and rear). To determine the Gross Axle Weights for
your vehicle and trailer combination, take your loaded vehicle and trailer to a scale. With the trailer
attached, place the front wheels of the vehicle on the scale to get the front GAW. For rear GAW,
weigh the towing vehicle with trailer attached, but with just the four wheels of the vehicle on the
scale. Subtracting front GAW from that amount gives you rear GAW.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
is the maximum weight to be carried by a single axle (front or rear). These numbers are also
shown on the Safety Compliance Certification Label. The total load on each axle must never
exceed its GAWR.
Measuring Tongue Load
With Commercial Scale
To measure actual tongue load or king pin
weight, disconnect the trailer and place
only the tongue (king pin) on a scale (at
hitch ball or 5th-wheel king pin receiver
height). If the tongue load/king pin weight
exceeds the upper weight limit, move
more of the trailer contents rearward to
achieve the recommended tongue load/
king pin weight. If the tongue load or king
pin weight is less than the lower limit, shift
the load forward.
2013 KNOW BEFORE YOU TOW
Understanding the numbers.