Important Terms for Weight Capacities on a Popup Camper

Important Terms for Weight Capacities on a Popup Camper

It is important to know what tow capacity your towing vehicle can handle and under certain circumstances. Hunting down this information can be difficult especially on used campers. Then you are bombarded with terms and abbreviations you have never heard of that don’t even make sense to know. TO find this information look at your camper’s and vehicle’s data plate. Look below for an example on a StarCraft Popup Camper’s data plate .

Here is a quick guide to help you out and their acronyms:

Curb Or Dry Weight

Curb or Dry weight is the weight of the vehicle with all the camper’s fluids (fuel, windshield wiper fluid, etc.) and factory equipment. This does not include you or any of your equipment, only the vehicle and its components.

Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC)

Used Sept 2000 – present, means GVWR minus the following: UVW, full fresh (potable) water weight (including that for the water heater) full LP gas weight, and SCWR. Note: Consider that optional accessories or equipment not included in the UVW will take up part of the Cargo Carrying Capacity so pack lighter.

Gross Axle Weight (GAW)

This is the amount of weight being applied to the individual axle.

Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)

This is the maximum weight the axle can safely handle. This is the theoretical weight; GAW is the actual weight.

Gross Combined Weight (GCW)

This is the actual weight of the vehicle and trailer combined. The trailer and vehicle are fully loaded with all equipment, this also includes and fuel.

Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)

This is the manufacturers’ rating for a specific vehicle and its cargo with trailer. This is a rating not an actual weight. Note: GCW is actual weight, slight variation but important to understand.

Gross Trailer Weight (GTW)

This is the actual weight of a trailer with all cargo loaded.

Gross Trailer Weight Rating (GTWR)

This is the rating given by the manufacturer of the maximum recommended weight of the trailer and cargo combined. This lets you know how much the trailer may possibly handle in ideal circumstances and loaded appropriately.

Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)

Refers to the actual weight of the vehicle with all cargo, passengers, fuel, etc. on board. This includes all parts added to the vehicle, like bumpers, winches, toolboxes, lift kits etc.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)

When a vehicle is constructed, engineers will design the vehicle to handle a maximum amount of weight. This maximum amount of weight is the GVWR. It is set, regardless of what is added or subtracted from the vehicle.

Hitch Classes

There are five common hitch classes. The higher the class; the higher the weight capacity of the hitch. These are based on the trailer’s size but should not exceed the vehicle’s towing capacity.

Class I is up to 2,000 lbs.
Class II is up to 3,500 lbs.
Class III is up to 5,000 lbs.
Class IV is 7,500 but can manage up to 10,000 with a weight distributing hitch
Class V is 12,000 lbs. but can manage 17,000lbs with a weight distributing hitch

Manufactured Weight

What your trailer weighed totally empty when it rolled out of the factory assembly line. Be aware this is only the base figure and doesn’t include the optional extras added by the dealer of the original consumer. For used owners

Payload Capacity

Payload is the difference between what the vehicle actual weight is (GVW) and what it could weigh. Be aware this number will shift depending on the configuration of the vehicle and options package the dealer or owner created.

Sleeping Capacity Weight Rating (SCWR)

The manufacturer designated number of sleeping positions multiplied by 154 lbs.

Tow Rating

The manufactures recommended maximum weight of a trailer to be towed by the vehicle.

Tongue Weight

Also known as Tongue Load (TLR) or Vertical Load Rating (VLR). The amount of weight from the trailer that is being applied to the tow vehicle. Generally, the tongue weight is about 10% to 15% of the gross trailer weight (GTW). This can change on the trailers type and load capacity. Tongue weight measurements should be made before towing.

Tow Capacity

Towing capacity is the amount of weight the vehicle can tow safely. This is figured by GCWR – GVW = Towing Capacity. Do not exceed this number or serious injury or damage could take place.

UVW (Unloaded Vehicle Weight)

The weight of the unit as built at the factory. with full fuel tanks, engine oil and coolants. The UVW does not include cargo, fresh water, LP gas, occupants, or dealer-installed accessories.

NCC (Net Carrying Capacity), used from 1996 – 2000, is the maximum weight of all personal belongings food, fresh water, LP gas, tools, dealer-installed accessories and other items that can be carried by the unit.