Enter tow vehicle and trailer/RV information to determine if your setup is over its weight rating. After you click "Calculate," the results will appear at the bottom of the page. You can enter multiple vehicle-trailer combos, and the results will be listed sequentially, until you use the "Clear" button or refresh the page. No data is saved. (About this calculator.)
GCVWR = Maximum Allowable GCVW
GCVW = Truck Curb Weight + Driver + Passengers + Truck Cargo + Trailer Dry Weight + Trailer Cargo
GCVW = visit a truck scale with your rig (ideal)
Payload = Driver + Passengers + Truck Cargo + Hitch
Payload Rating = Truck GVWR - Truck Curb Weight
Trailer GVWR = Trailer Dry Weight + Trailer Cargo
Vehicle curb weight, or dry weight: The weight of your vehicle (the one doing the towing) completely empty. No driver, no passengers, no cargo, no extra features, maybe even an empty gas tank. This can be found on a sticker inside the door frame, in the owner's manual, or elsewhere from the manufacturer. The only way to get an accurate curb weight is to take your vehicle to a weigh station and weigh it with no one and nothing in it.
GVWR, or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The maximum amount your vehicle can weigh, including all passengers, cargo, and the weight of the trailer hitch (see below). This is provided by the manufacturer on a door sticker, owner's manual, or other manufacturer's publication.
GCVWR, or Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating: The maximum amount the combination of vehicle and trailer can weigh, including all passengers, cargo, water and waste tanks, propane, food, and toys. This is provided by the manufacturer.
GCVW, or Gross Combined Vehicle Weight: The actual weight of the combination of vehicle and trailer, including all passengers, cargo, water and waste tanks, propane, food, and toys. The best way to get an accurate GCVW is by taking your vehicle and trailer to a weigh station.
Payload rating: The maximum weight that can be hauled inside the vehicle, including driver, passengers, cargo, and the hitch weight. A payload rating is published by the manufacturer, but can be calculated by finding the difference between a vehicle's GVWR and curb weight.
Payload: The actual payload is the combined weight of the vehicle curb weight, the driver, all passengers (including pets!), cargo, and the hitch weight.
Trailer Dry Weight: The weight of your trailer completely empty. Manufacturers' definitions of "empty" can vary widely, and may or may not include propane, water or waste tanks, or extra features added after manufacture. This number can be found on a sticker from the manufacturer. The only way to get an accurate dry weight is to take your trailer to a weigh station and weigh it empty.
Trailer GVWR, or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The maximum amount your trailer can weigh, including cargo, water and waste tanks, and propane. This is provided by the manufacturer on a door sticker or other manufacturer's publication.
Hitch weight: This is generally about 10% of the trailer's GVWR, but is also provided by the manufacturer. Getting an accurate hitch weight will result in a more accurate payload calculation.
Disclaimer: If you find any errors or omissions, I would be very grateful if you sent me an email so I can update this tool. I am not an expert in this topic, and I hope you'll do your own math to confirm what's offered here. Many factors go into safely towing a vehicle, including tire and axle weight ratings, which are not included in these calculations. This tool also assumes you have loaded your trailer to its maximum capacity, but no further. I offer this as a tool to aid you in your decision-making process, not as a towing expert or consultant. I hope this helps you and makes your life a little easier. Happy trails!