Understanding GVWR (Never Overload Your Trailer!)
GVWR stands for Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, which is the maximum weight a vehicle or trailer is designed to safely carry, including its own weight plus the weight of the load (cargo, passengers, etc.) You should also know curb weight, sometimes shortened to curb: the weight of a vehicle or trailer plus the weight of whatever fluids it needs to operate. In the case of towing vehicles, the curb weight includes the weight of the driver. (This is different from dry weight, which is what the vehicle/trailer weighed when it left the manufacturer, excluding any fluids needed to operate.) For trailers, the GVWR includes the trailer’s curb weight and whatever is loaded onto it.
Calculating Carrying Capacity from GVWR
Carrying capacity is distinct from GVWR. If you know the vehicle's GVWR and its curb weight, you can calculate its maximum safe and legal carrying capacity with this formula:
GVWR - Trailer's Weight = Capacity
I.E. 7,000 GVWR- 2,000 lbs = 5,000 lbs. of carrying capacity.
Why is it important to know the GVWR before purchasing a trailer?
Safety: You need to know the GVWR to ensure that the trailer is not overloaded, which could impair handling, braking, and overall stability, leading to dangerous driving conditions. An overloaded trailer is exponentially more likely to turn over, especially at high speeds like on the freeway--which could spell death for you, your passengers, or oncoming motorists. In a town or city an overloaded trailer could kill nearby pedestrians.
An overloaded trailer is at higher risk for breaking, and again, if an axle, tongue or hitch breaks on the highway the trailer becomes a deadly projectile. (Trailer owners should also take precautions and install/maintain brakes. In Ohio you're required by law to have functioning brakes on any trailer over 2,000 pounds, and they must be able to stop the trailer independently of the towing vehicle. In other locations, laws may vary.)Vehicle Compatibility: It's crucial to know the GVWR to ensure that the trailer can be safely towed by your vehicle. Your tow vehicle must be able to handle the weight of the trailer and its load without risking damage to its engine, transmission, suspension, or brakes. Towing a trailer larger than what your vehicle can handle will also cause serious safety issues.
Legal Compliance: There are legal limits to the weight you can tow. Exceeding the GVWR can result in fines, penalties, and can void any warranties or insurance coverage for both the trailer and the towing vehicle. So if your overloading the vehicle causes an accident, your insurance will probably be voided for that accident.
For vehicles with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or more, you are required by Ohio law to obtain a CDL (commercial driver's license). This may vary in other states.Longevity and Maintenance: Consistently exceeding the GVWR wears out the trailer much faster, requiring more frequent repairs and shortening their lifespan. It doesn't make sense financially to burn out your trailer this fast--take care of it so you don't have to pay for repairs and replacements.
Why is it important not to exceed the GVWR on a trailer you use?
Safety Risks: Exceeding the GVWR affects braking ability, tire performance, and the structural integrity of the trailer, drastically increasing the risk of accidents, detailed above.
Towing Performance: If the trailer is overloaded, it can put too much strain on your towing vehicle, reducing its performance and fuel efficiency and potentially causing mechanical failure.
Legal Issues: Overloading a trailer can result in violations of weight laws, fines, and possibly cause issues with insurance claims if an accident happens due to overload. Depending on how much you've overloaded, you're looking at hundreds or thousands of dollars in fines, and potentially even some prison time. The relevant section of the Ohio penal code is here.
Penalties and sentencing may vary based on the circumstances of the infraction, and they are at the judge's discretion. That said, Section 5577.99 of the Ohio Revised Code breaks the penalties down like this:Under 2,000 pounds of overload, you'll be fined $80.
For 2,000-5,000 pounds, you'll be fined $100, plus $1 for every hundred pounds.
For 5,000-10,000 pounds, $130 plus $2 for every hundred pounds of overload and/or imprisoned for up to 30 days.
For 10,000+ pounds, fine is $160 plus $3 for every hundred pounds of overload and/or imprisoned up to 30 days.