Dry weight, GVWR and cargo carrying capacity
- Dry weight, or unloaded vehicle weight (UVW): the trailer as it left the factory, with no cargo, water or personal gear. What it includes, such as propane or a battery, differs between makers, so read the label.
- GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating): the most the loaded trailer may weigh, including the part resting on the hitch.
- Cargo carrying capacity (CCC): GVWR minus dry weight. Everything you add comes out of it, including water and dealer-fitted options.
How it is calculated
water = gallons × 8.34 lb (about 1 kg per liter)
loaded weight = dry weight + cargo + water + propane + added items
margin = trailer GVWR − loaded weightWorked example
A travel trailer with a dry weight of 5,200 lb and a GVWR of 7,000 lb has a cargo carrying capacity of 7,000 − 5,200 = 1,800 lb. You load 800 lb of gear, 30 gallons of fresh water (30 × 8.34 = 250.2 lb), 40 lb of propane and a 100 lb battery setup. The loaded weight is 5,200 + 800 + 250.2 + 40 + 100 = 6,390 lb, 91% of the GVWR, with 610 lb to spare. You have used 1,190 lb, 66% of the cargo carrying capacity.
A common guideline for conventional trailers puts tongue weight at 10 to 15% of the loaded weight, which here is 639 to 959 lb. That tongue weight counts against your truck's payload, not the trailer's.
Why the dry weight is not the towing weight
Nobody tows an empty trailer. Water alone is heavy: a 40 gallon fresh tank holds 333.6 lb when full. When you compare a trailer with your truck's towing capacity, GCWR and payload, use the loaded weight, or the GVWR if you want to allow for a full load. The towing calculator does that comparison.
Questions
How do I calculate the loaded weight of my travel trailer?
Add cargo, water, propane and anything fitted after the factory to the dry weight. 5,200 lb dry plus 800 lb of gear, 30 gallons of water, 40 lb of propane and 100 lb of batteries is 6,390 lb.
How much does water add to a trailer?
Fresh water weighs about 8.34 lb per US gallon. 30 gallons add 250.2 lb; a full 40 gallon tank adds 333.6 lb.
What is cargo carrying capacity?
The trailer's GVWR minus its dry weight. A trailer with a 7,000 lb GVWR and a 5,200 lb dry weight has 1,800 lb of cargo carrying capacity.
Should I compare my truck with the dry weight or the GVWR?
With the weight you will actually tow. The loaded weight from this calculator is closer than the dry weight; the GVWR is the most the trailer may ever weigh.