What Does GVWR Mean?
When buying a commercial vehicle near or , you’ll need to know what the GVWR means on your truck. GVWR stands for “Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.” It’s an important number to know, especially if you haul heavy loads with your vehicle around . The team at Sam Leman Automotive Group is here with a guide about what GVWR means, how to find the GVWR, and what the difference is between gross weight and curb weight.
GVWR Meaning and Explanation
The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating represents the maximum total safe weight of your vehicle. Knowing how to find the GVWR means understanding the curb weight, plus the weight of your passengers, fuel, any accessories added to the vehicle, cargo, and the “tongue weight” of a tow trailer (normally 10-20% of the combined tow load and trailer weight).
For example, let’s say the GVWR for your vehicle is 7,000 pounds. The curb weight is 5,000 pounds. That means any load you haul would have to be less than 2,000 pounds (as you would have to account for the weight of fuel and passengers).
What is the Difference Between Gross Weight and Curb Weight?
The main difference between the gross weight and the curb weight is that the curb weight is how much a vehicle weighs without any passengers or added cargo. The gross weight encompasses the entire weight of the vehicle with passengers, cargo, and any towing weight from a trailer. A vehicle must not exceed the gross vehicle weight rating! Severe and irreparable damage can happen!
What Does the GVWR Mean for You?
If you exceed your vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, you could get ticketed. But that could be the least of your worries if you’re caught surpassing your vehicle’s GVWR, meaning you could also face criminal charges, including manslaughter in some states if there is an accident that involves the loss of life. That’s not to mention overloading your truck could cause serious damage to the vehicle itself, like breaking the suspension.
There are also legal requirements for different GVWRs. Your vehicle may need specific insurance if it rates above a certain GVWR. You may need a CDL license to operate a commercial vehicle over a certain GVWR. This is why it’s important to know what the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is for your vehicle.
What is the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating for Your Vehicle?
It’s easy to find the GVWR for your commercial vehicle or truck. There is usually a sticker on the inside of the driver-side door. This will tell you both the GVWR and the curb weight. If the information is not there, check your owner’s manual.
From RAM to Ford and everything in between, we supply commercial drivers with top-tier, work-ready trucks. If you want to know the GVWR for one of our models or you need help establishing the GVWR for your truck, our team can help! Just reach out for more information. We can tell you what the GVWR is for your truck based on the make and model, and we know the GVWR of the vehicles for sale at our locations.
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We make it easy to get your next commercial vehicle. Feel free to contact us or call to schedule a test drive with our team. Then, apply for financing online to jumpstart the car-buying process. If you want more details, read about the best diesel truck engines and other guides.