If you’re one of the many people going camping in an RV this summer, the following are a few weight-related terms you may want to know. Recreational vehicle manufacturers use various different weight ratings to describe their products and knowing what these mean can help you make a better purchase as well as avoid a nasty surprise when you first hitch up your trailer.
Related: 56 million Americans plan to RV this summer
- Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW): This is the total weight of the RV as it comes out of the factory, including fluids like coolant and engine oil. It also includes full fuel tanks but not fresh water or any dealer-installed accessories.
- Net Carrying Capacity (NCC): The maximum weight the RV can carry, including fresh water, personal belongings, and occupants — but not including the RV itself.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The maximum weight limit of the RV. This is essentially the sum of the UVW and NCC.
- Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR): The maximum weight each axle assembly can carry. This is important to know because even if you load your RV to be under the GVWR, you may still exceed the GAWR depending on how the weight is distributed.
- Hitch Weight (HW): Also known as tongue weight, this is the weight your hitch must be rated to carry when you hook up your trailer to your tow vehicle.
- Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR): This is the big number you should never exceed when everything is added up. It includes all fluids, occupants, cargo, and any vehicle you may be towing with the RV.
Related: The right RVs for any lifestyle
Current or prospective RV owners must consider one or more of these ratings at various times. For example, when shopping for a towable RV, you should ensure your pickup truck has a maximum towing capacity greater than the GVWR. When loading the RV, you should take the NCC and GAWR into account. And when using a motorhome to tow another vehicle, you’ll need to consider its GCWR first.
Kurt Verlin was born in France and lives in the United States. Throughout his life he was always told French was the language of romance, but it was English he fell in love with. He likes cats, music, cars, 30 Rock, Formula 1, and pretending to be a race car driver in simulators; but most of all, he just likes to write about it all. See more articles by Kurt.