What Does GCWR Mean?

GCWR stands for gross combined weight rating or gross combination weight rating. However, there’s more to this term than just the name. What does GCWR mean in practice? What is GCWR? Why do you need to know the gross combined weight rating?

Find out more with our guide to GCWR for your vehicle driving on Schaumburg roads and beyond in your new vehicle.

What Is GCWR Exactly?

Your vehicle’s gross combined weight rating is the total amount of weight that your vehicle can carry safely on Streamwood roads and elsewhere, including the total weight of any attached trailer or cargo carrier. This figure includes the people in the cabin and any cargo.

GVWR vs. GCWR: Know the Difference

GCWR includes your vehicle’s curb weight, as well as the weight of cargo and passengers–just like your GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating). The difference is that the GCWR combines your vehicle plus whatever you’re towing (hence the word “combined” in GCWR).

Here’s a closer look at the factors that distinguish GVWR vs. GCWR, particularly if you plan on buying a Chevy Silverado 1500 or Silverado HD.

• A gross vehicle weight rating comes in handy to determine heavy payloads, such as filling a pickup truck bed or loading up a flatbed truck. It specifies the maximum operating weight for the vehicle itself without the trailer, including passengers, a loaded fuel tank, and cargo.
• You need to know your gross combined weight rating whenever you hook up a trailer. The weight of your vehicle, everything inside, and the weight of the trailer and everything inside of it, cannot exceed the GCWR.
• Never, ever exceed the GCWR. It risks permanent damage to your vehicle and it can injure you, your passengers, and other people. This is especially true if you do a lot of towing.

Gross Combined Weight Rating and Towing

Your vehicle’s towing capacity tells you the total amount that your vehicle can safely pull when using a trailer on roads in and near Bartlett. But you need to be wary of approaching the GCWR.

As long as your trailer’s GVWR falls below the towing capacity of your vehicle, you don’t need to worry. However, if you have a lot of payload in the bed or you have a packed cabin, you need to be careful.

You can estimate a vehicle’s maximum towing capacity by subtracting your vehicle’s curb weight from the GCWR. But always take into account your passengers and cargo weight, too.

What Do You Need To Know About GCWR Regulations?

Manufacturers take into account many factors to determine your vehicle’s gross combined weight rating. Automakers use engine torque, radiator capacity, strength of axles and chassis components, and more to make final calculations.

If the GCWR exceeds 26,000 pounds, you’ll need a CDL to operate it. This is true even if you’re not moving that much weight. So be wary of the regulations for Elgin drivers and in other areas.

Need Answers About Towing? Biggers Chevrolet Has Them!

Do you need more answers about towing? Contact us or call (847) 857-6103, and we’ll be happy to help! Talk to us if you’re ready for a test drive, too. Meanwhile, look at the Silverado 1500 towing capacity for extra research.