Towing Dictionary
Explore the interactive guide to get definitions of essential terms and to see on the diagram how they relate to your vehicle and what you tow. Be sure to check the RV & Trailer Towing Guide for your vehicle for further details.
Select a term to define
Alternative terms: Passenger load, occupant weight
Definition
Passenger Weight is the combined weight of all people in the vehicle, including the driver.
Why it matters
To be within towing capacity, the combined weight of passengers, cargo, Payload and the vehicle itself must be less than the vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
Alternative term: Load weight
Definition
Vehicle Cargo Weight is all weight added to the Base Curb Weight, including cargo and optional equipment. When towing, trailer Tongue Load or kingpin weight is also part of the Cargo Weight.
Why it matters
To be within towing capacity, the combined weight of passengers, cargo, Payload and the vehicle itself must be less than the vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. It is essential to include the weight of all items and accessories added to the vehicle.
Alternative terms: None
Definition
Payload is the combined weight of cargo, passengers, after-market accessories, plus the Tongue Weight if you are towing.
Why it matters
To be within towing capacity, your Payload must be less than the vehicle’s Payload Capacity.
Alternative term: None
Definition
Curb Weight is the weight of the vehicle with a full tank of fuel and all installed equipment. It does not include passengers or cargo. Taking your unloaded vehicle to a commercial scale is the most accurate way to determine Curb Weight.
Why it matters
To be within towing capacity, the combined weight of passengers, cargo, Payload and the vehicle itself must be less than the vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. Identifying your vehicle curb weight will help you know how many passengers and how much cargo you can put in it.
Alternative terms: Total vehicle weight, gross weight, vehicle total weight, total vehicle mass
Definition
Gross Vehicle Weight is the Base Curb Weight plus actual Cargo Weight plus Passenger Weight. It is important to remember that GVW is not a limit or specification – it is the actual weight that is obtained when the fully-loaded vehicle is driven onto a scale.
Why it matters
To be within towing capacity, GVW must be below your vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
Alternative terms: Load capacity, carrying capacity, maximum load, capacity limit, maximum payload
Definition
Payload Capacity is the maximum combined weight of cargo and passengers that your vehicle can carry. The maximum Payload for your vehicle appears on the Tire and Loading Information label, which is on the driver door jamb. Vehicles exported outside the US and Canada may not have the label.
Look on the label for “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg OR XXX lb” for maximum payload. The payload listed on the Tire and Loading Information label is the maximum payload for your vehicle as built by the assembly plant. If you install any additional equipment on your vehicle, you must determine the new payload. Subtract the weight of the equipment from the payload listed on the Tire and Loading label. When towing, trailer Tongue Weight or kingpin weight is also part of payload.
Important safety information
Your vehicle should never be operated with Payload in excess of the Payload Capacity. Exceeding any vehicle weight rating by overloading your vehicle or trailer hitch can adversely affect the performance and handling of your vehicle, cause vehicle damage, and can result in the loss of control of your vehicle, serious personal injury, or death.
Alternative term: Maximum vehicle weight limit
Definition
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the maximum allowable weight of the fully-loaded vehicle, including passengers and cargo. This number – along with other weight limits, as well as tire, rim size and inflation pressure data – is shown on the vehicle’s Safety Certification Label, which is on the driver door jamb. The Gross Vehicle Weight must never exceed the GVWR.
Important safety information
The combined weight of the passengers, vehicle cargo and vehicle itself, must never exceed the vehicle’s GVWR.
Weight over the GVWR can adversely affect the performance and handling of your vehicle, cause vehicle damage, and can result in the loss of control of your vehicle, serious personal injury, or death.