Determining Your RV's Correct Weight

February 17, 2011

It may not seem important, but knowing your RV's correct weight - both empty and loaded, is critical to the safe towing and handling of your trailer, pop-up, or motorhome. The weight of your RV not only affects your tires, your hitch, and your handling, but ultimately your safety and life. An over weighted trailer can lead to a tire blowout, loss of control of your RV, flipping your rig, and even death. Learn all you can about weight, both of your rig and your vehicle and hitch, and stay within the limits.

It's easy enough to find your RV's correct weight. Look for the "Gross Vehicle Weight Rating" or "GVWR," and "Gross Axle Weight Rating," or "GAWR" numbers on your RV. You'll find both these numbers on a tag on the support pillar next to the driver's seat, or on the chassis of your trailer. If you can't find them, ask your RV dealer to tell you where they are, or check your manual.

These tags will also tell you the Model number, the Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW); Net Carrying Capacity, (NCC); and how much weight the motorhome is capable of carrying, which includes the weight of a load of water and fuel. Tag information will vary according to the size of trailer, type of RV, and options you selected for your rig.

Remember, just because the RV is rated to carry a certain weight doesn't mean you should maximize your load. Things like road conditions, dips in the road which put temporary, but added "G-force" weight on the suspension, load distribution, weight hitch numbers and other factors can put you overweight even though the total weight of your rig is within legal limits posted by the manufacturer.

If all this sounds confusing, don't worry, it is to most RV'ers when they first begin learning about weights and weight distribution. For an excellent booklet complete with illustrations on how to weigh your RV, The Tire Industry Safety Council publishes a free "Recreational Vehicle Tire Care and Safety Guide" which includes instructions on how to weigh your vehicle by wheel position.

You can find more detailed information and illustrations on how to weigh your RV here: http://www.rvadvice.com/rvarticles/4tires.html

Terms You Will Need To Know

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or GVWR. This refers to the maximum permitted weight of the motorhome or trailer. The GVWR is equal to. or greater than, the Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW) plus the Net Carry Capacity (NCC).

Net Carrying Capacity (NCC) - means the maximum weight of all occupants, including passengers, the driver, personal belongings, cargo, fresh water, LP gas, and dealer installed accessories. To find the actual weight of all those things you'll need to weigh your occupants and cargo. Most NCC numbers are guidelines based on an average weight of passengers, belongings and fuel.

Gross Combination Weight Rating means the value specified by the manufacturer as the maximum allowable loaded weight of the motorhome with its towed trailer or towed vehicle.

Gross Axle Weight Rating refers to the maximum amount of weight a single axle is designed to carry. These weights are per axle and may vary from trailer to trailer depending on the trailer options, design, and personal loads. It is entirely possible to be well within the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and still over your Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). This is why proper weight distribution in your RV is so critical.

Your GAWR number is only a guide and not a hard and fast number. It is a way to tell you your maximum loaded axle weights so you can know your correct tire inflation pressure. Your actual, loaded axle weight should be below the GAWR, not at or above it.

In order to get the correct weight, you'll need to weigh your loaded RV. You'll have to find a scale that allows you to weight the front and rear axles as well as the total unit.

Once you know what your vehicle is supposed to weigh, you'll need to actually weigh it, both empty and loaded.

Trailers

This information should also be in your owner's manual. Do not max out the weight limits. Try to stay under the limits, remembering you will most likely pick up souvenirs and other items (food, t-shirts, books etc) on your trip. One way to keep weight down on extended trips is to simple mail your purchases home, or to a friend or relative where you can pick them up when you return home.

Where Can I Weigh My Trailer/RV?

There are several places you can go to weigh your trailer or RV. Some are free, most charge a nominal fee. It's money well spent for peace of mind and knowing your rig is legal. Call any moving or storage company lot, or large commercial truck stop. Check with farm suppliers who have grain elevators. Stone companies, gravel pit operators, recycling companies, any business that does business with freight typically has, or knows of someone with a commercial scale. Simply explain to them you need a trailer or vehicle weighed and they should be able to help. If you're still not having any luck finding a scale, check in your phone book or online for "Scales - Public," or "Weighers."