Exceeding GVWR

ArkRVHog · 08-11-2021, 10:21 PM

So my Forester MH is rated for 14,500 pounds GVWR. I weighed it recently on CAT scales and was sitting at about 13,500. But we have a big trip coming up and will have a variety of things loaded up on the unit...probably exceeding this limit by 500-1000 pounds. Is that a big problem? We also have a TOAD...that won't add any additional weight to the unit, right? Thx for your input!

NavyLCDR · 08-11-2021, 10:39 PM

Wow, you are really inviting the weight police to this thread! Here they come, get ready for them!

There are several weight limits you need to be concerned about. There are axle and tire weight limits. Exceed the weight limits for the axle or tires and you are really in trouble, you increase your chances of tire blowout and physical axle/bearing damage. Going over GVWR is more of a handling concern in corners, and braking on hills, etc. (assuming you have not exceeded axle and tire weight limits). If you are over GVWR, really watch your speed and realize your braking is going to be affected, allow extra distance. Watch for steep downgrades. It's not really an engine or transmission concern until you exceed GCWR.

GCWR - Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating is more about transmission and engine capability as well as braking. Tongue weight is part of GVWR - but tongue weight for a TOAD is pretty negligible, probably less than 100 lbs. The main weight addition due to a TOAD is going to be to GCWR. Going over you GCWR may damage transmission and engine - and again, watch braking carefully.

rekaj321 · 08-12-2021, 05:58 AM

Agree with previous except that tongue weight can easily exceed 100lbs depending on unit and adds to your gvwr

Dodge Guy · 08-12-2021, 06:04 AM

Are saying when you weighed it the MH was completely empty?

ArkRVHog · 08-12-2021, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dodge Guy

Are saying when you weighed it the MH was completely empty?

No...it had 80% of our normal camping stuff on it...definitely not empty at 13,500 pounds. But there's still a lot to go with us that I was concerned would push the overall weight just over 15,000 pounds thus exceeding the 14,500 GVWR. And this has to include DW and me!

ArkRVHog · 08-12-2021, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rekaj321

Agree with previous except that tongue weight can easily exceed 100lbs depending on unit and adds to your gvwr

So towing a car 4 wheels down adds that much to the tongue weight? We use the normal BlueOx setup.

ArkRVHog · 08-12-2021, 07:38 AM

"Going over GVWR is more of a handling concern in corners, and braking on hills, etc. (assuming you have not exceeded axle and tire weight limits)."

I just added a bit more GVWR installing Roadmaster front & rear sway bars and a SuperSteer trac bar. The unit is solid as a rock now.

Chuck_S · 08-12-2021, 07:48 AM

Possible consequences. Yeah there's a safety cushion for you to test. Enjoy!

* Broken springs and suspension components due to excess weight
* Brakes unable to stop the truck or SUV in a timely manner
* Transmission and other driveline components may overheat and sustain serious damage
* Unusual suspension behavior, making the vehicle hard to control
* Tire temperatures rising to elevated levels, potentially leading to a blowout.

(Shamelessly plagiarized from another website that quoted GMC guidance.)

-- Chuck

NXR · 08-12-2021, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArkRVHog

So towing a car 4 wheels down adds that much to the tongue weight? We use the normal BlueOx setup.

Four down towing adds 1/2 the weight of the tow bar plus the weight of any drop hitch to the rear axle via tongue weight. A trailer or dolly could easily add 400 to 600 pounds but a 5,000 lb hitch can only handle 500 pounds of tongue weight.

Ray

NXR · 08-12-2021, 10:00 PM

As someone else noted, how close are you to the axle ratings? It can be easy to exceed an axle's GAWR (gross axle weight rating) without exceeding the overall GVWR of the vehicle.

Ray

Dodge Guy · 08-13-2021, 06:07 AM

The tongue weight of a 4 down tow bar is negligible. I’m guessing 25lbs at most maybe 35 with a drop hitch.

Mike134 · 08-13-2021, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArkRVHog

So my Forester MH is rated for 14,500 pounds GVWR. I weighed it recently on CAT scales and was sitting at about 13,500. But we have a big trip coming up and will have a variety of things loaded up on the unit...probably exceeding this limit by 500-1000 pounds. Is that a big problem? We also have a TOAD...that won't add any additional weight to the unit, right? Thx for your input!

Looking at your camping days over the past 3 years. All in this motorhome? If so why worry? Any issues before? Advise on here should be taken the same way you'd view it from the folks at the campground bar. Some are knowledgeable and some have had way to many beers to offer advise.

Safe travels

ArkRVHog · 08-13-2021, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NXR

As someone else noted, how close are you to the axle ratings? It can be easy to exceed an axle's GAWR (gross axle weight rating) without exceeding the overall GVWR of the vehicle.

Ray

So how does one determine their GAWR? I've really not worried about overall loaded weight before but with a big trip coming up and fully loaded it became a bit of a concern for me. Thx.

timfromma · 08-13-2021, 09:32 AM

Illegal? Depends on where you are. I've only ever been one place where they weighed RV's

Iladvised, yes.

NavyLCDR · 08-13-2021, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArkRVHog

So how does one determine their GAWR? I've really not worried about overall loaded weight before but with a big trip coming up and fully loaded it became a bit of a concern for me. Thx.

GAWRs should be printed on the tire pressure placard, likely driver's side door jam area. There should also be manufacturer's labels on the axles themselves.

Chuck_S · 08-13-2021, 11:50 AM

The gross axle weight ratings are there. But who weighs their vehicle? Not many. Ignorance is bliss.

-- Chuck

ArkRVHog · 08-13-2021, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NavyLCDR

GAWRs should be printed on the tire pressure placard, likely driver's side door jam area. There should also be manufacturer's labels on the axles themselves.

Rear GAWR is 9600 pounds/Front GAWR is 5000 pounds on my unit. But how do you determine your specific weight when loaded? Does a truck scale break this out for you in addition to total weight?

D W · 08-13-2021, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArkRVHog

"Going over GVWR is more of a handling concern in corners, and braking on hills, etc. (assuming you have not exceeded axle and tire weight limits)."

I just added a bit more GVWR installing Roadmaster front & rear sway bars and a SuperSteer trac bar. The unit is solid as a rock now.

You've got my curiosity peaked. How do sway bars and a trac bar increase GVWR?

NJKris · 08-13-2021, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck_S

The gross axle weight ratings are there. But who weighs their vehicle? Not many. Ignorance is bliss.

-- Chuck

I was actually pleasantly surprised on my 'do you weigh your rig' poll that the majority who responded from this forum, overwhelming majority, do weigh. But other than the hit and run members of the forum who only come on to ask one question then disappear, it seems to be most forum members are much more educated than your average Joe RV buyer.

**ependydad** · 08-13-2021, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArkRVHog

Rear GAWR is 9600 pounds/Front GAWR is 5000 pounds on my unit. But how do you determine your specific weight when loaded? Does a truck scale break this out for you in addition to total weight?

Yes, when you weigh, there are up to 3 scales that you can get weights on - steer axle, drive axle, and trailer axle.

Here's a graphic from the CAT scale site:

You may also like: