GCWR

GCWR stands for Gross Combined Weight Rating. It is the maximum allowable combined weight of a towing vehicle and any attached trailer, including the weight of the vehicle, passengers, cargo, fluids, the trailer itself, and its cargo. The rating is set by the vehicle’s manufacturer and reflects the limits of the drivetrain, braking system, suspension, and frame.

The GCWR is related to other ratings used in towing. The vehicle has its own GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating), which indicates how much the tow vehicle can weigh in total when loaded with passengers and cargo. The trailer has its own GVWR, which caps the maximum weight of the trailer and its cargo. The actual loaded weight of the combination must not exceed the GCWR; in practice, this means the sum of the vehicle’s loaded weight and the trailer’s loaded weight cannot exceed the GCWR.

In use, the GCWR affects how heavy a trailer you can tow and how much payload you may carry in the tow vehicle. For example, if a vehicle has a GCWR of 12,000 pounds and a GVWR of 7,000 pounds with a trailer GVWR of up to 5,500 pounds, the combined weight of the loaded vehicle and loaded trailer must stay at or below 12,000 pounds. Exceeding GCWR can strain driveline components, brakes, and cooling systems and is unsafe.

GCWR is typically listed in the owner’s manual and on the vehicle’s identification plate; it may also appear in manufacturer specifications. It is a key parameter for safe towing and regulatory compliance.