Small Farm Equipment

By: Oscar H. Will III, editor

Making sense of the alphabet soup you’ll see on trailers, vehicles and hitches can make life much easier. Here are the major players:

GTWR (Gross Towed Weight Rating) – The combined weight of the trailer and cargo.

GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) – The combined weight of the axle and tires.

GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) – 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 – are shown on the vehicle's Safety Compliance Certification Label, located on the left front door lock facing or the door latch post pillar. Note: The GVW must never exceed the GVWR.

GCVWR (Gross Combination Vehicle Weight Rating) – the combined weight of the loaded trailer and vehicle when hitched together (often less than the truck’s GVWR).

GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) – The actual weight when the fully loaded vehicle is driven onto a scale.

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