TOWING AND PAYLOAD TERMS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Written by gary on July 9th, 2010
If you are one who usues your truck or SUV for both work and pleasure you certainly may want to know your vehicle’s Payload and Towing capacities. Payload and Towing concepts are important concepts for truck and recreational users. If you own a Tundra, Tacoma, Fj Cruiser, 4Runner, or other make here is a brief tutorial of Payload and Towing Terms you will want to know.
CURB WEIGHT
- Weight of empty truck
- Standard equipment includes tools, spare tire
- Full of fuel, fluids and lubricants
PAYLOAD
- People
- Optional equipment
- Cargo
- Tongue weight (if towing) 10-15% total weight, trailer, cargo being towed
GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT(GVW)
- Curb weight
- Payload
- Tongue weight(if towing)
GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING(GVWR)
- Maximum GVW allowed
- Set by manufacturer
- Must be equal to or higher than the GVW
- Do Not Exceed GVWR
TOWING WEIGHT
- Weight of trailer
- weight of all trailer content
MAXIMUM TOWING CAPACITY
- Set by manufacturer
- Maximum weight of traileer and contents
- Towing weight must be less than or equal
to towing capacity
TONGUE WEIGHT
- Weight pressing down on trailer hitch
- 10 to 15% of towing weight
- Hitches:
- Weight carrying
- Weight distributing
- 5th wheel (20-25% of trailer weight)
( To measure trailer tongue weight, place the tongue
of the trailer on a scale when the trailer is not attached to the vehicle)
GROSS COMBINED WEIGHT(GCW)
- Curb weight
- Payload (with tongue weight added)
- Trailer (minus tongue weight)
- GCW Not To Exceed (GCWR)
GROSS COMBINED WEIGHT RATING (GCWR)
- Set by manufacturer
- Maximum GCW
22
AM
Wow this is a great resource.. I’m enjoying it.. good article