RV Weights and Measurements

Typical RV Weight and Measurement terms used within the RV industry.


Actual Weight

Often referred to as “Weight” is the measured weight of an object.

Cargo Weight

The actual weight of all items or gear added to the Curb Weight of the vehicle or trailer.

Curb Weight

The actual weight of a vehicle or trailer including all standard equipment with full fuel tanks, without people or gear.

Dry Weight

The weight of the RV without any fuel, freshwater, propane or passengers.

Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)

The manufacturer’s maximum load weight, in pounds, that can be placed on the axle. If an axle has a 3500-lb. GAWR and the RV has two axles (tandem axles), then the RV would have a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 7000 lbs.

Gross Combined Weight (GCW)

The combined actual weight of the tow vehicle and the trailer.

Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)

The manufacturers maximum load weight, in pounds, allowed for the trailer and tow vehicle. This rating includes the weight of the trailer, tow vehicle, fuel, water, propane, supplies and passengers.

Gross Trailer Weight (GTW)

Gross trailer weight is the weight of the trailer fully loaded in its actual towing condition. GTW is measured by placing the fully loaded trailer on a vehicle scale. The entire weight of the trailer should be supported on the scale.

Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)

The actual weight of a vehicle or RV fully loaded.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)

The manufacturer’s maximum load weight, in pounds, allowed for the vehicle. This rating includes the weight of the vehicle plus fuel, water, propane, supplies and passengers.

Hitch Rating

The weight, assigned by the manufacturer, that the hitch is designed to handle.

Hitch Weight

The amount of a trailer’s weight that rests on the tow vehicle’s hitch. For travel trailers this weight should be 10% to 15% of the total weight of the trailer. For fifth wheels this weight should be 15% to 20% of the total weight of the trailer.

Load

The amount of weight an object supports.

Net Carrying Capacity (NCC)

Sometimes called the payload capacity, this is the maximum weight of fuel, water, propane, supplies and passengers that can be added to an RV without exceeding the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).

Payload Capacity

The maximum allowable weight that can be in or on a vehicle, including all cargo and accessories, fuel, freshwater, propane, passengers and hitch loads.

Pin Weight

Also called Kin Pin Weight, is the downward force exerted on the king pin by a fifth wheel hitch coupler. In most cases, it
should be about 15 to 25 percent of GTW.

Rating

The maximum allowable limits determined by the manufacturer in the design of the vehicle.

Tongue Weight

Tongue weight (TW) is the downward force exerted on the hitch ball by the trailer coupler. In most cases, it
should be about 10 to 15 percent of GTW.

Trailer Hitch Classifications

Class I hitches are rated up to 2000 lbs. gross trailer weight with a maximum trailer tongue weight of 200 lbs. A Class I hitch usually has a 1-1/4″  receiver.

Class II hitches are rated up to 3500 lbs. gross trailer weight with a maximum trailer tongue weight of 300 lbs. A Class II hitch usually has a 1-1/4″  receiver.

Class III hitches are rated up to 6000 lbs. gross trailer weight with a maximum trailer tongue weight of 600 lbs. A Class I hitch usually has a 2″  receiver.

Class IV hitches are rated up to 10,000 lbs. gross trailer weight with a maximum trailer tongue weight of 1000 lbs. A Class I hitch usually has a 2″  receiver.

Class V hitches are rated up to 12,000 lbs. gross trailer weight with a maximum trailer tongue weight of 1200 lbs. A Class I hitch usually has a 2-1/2″  receiver.

Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW)

Sometimes called the Dry Weight, it is the weight of the RV without adding fuel, water, propane, supplies, and passengers. The manufacturers UVW will not include any dealer-installed options.

Wet Weight

The weight of the RV with the fuel, freshwater and propane tanks full.

Weights of Common Liquids

Measured in pounds per gallon:
Water: 8.3
Fuel: 5.6-6.9
Propane – 4.2