GVWR, Payload Capacity, and GAWR for Elliff Trailers
As you find the perfect trailer, terms like GVWR, payload capacity, and GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) might seem like a labyrinth of information. Understanding these terms is crucial when considering an Elliff Trailer purchase.
GVWR: The Legal Weight Limit
No matter where you're making your Elliff trailer purchase, the GVWR displayed on the sticker is your trailer's legal maximum weight limit. GVWR, or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, signifies the total weight your trailer can safely bear while on the road. Generally, the stickered GVWR is calculated by adding the empty trailer's weight to the total weight of the cargo it was designed to accommodate (payload capacity).
However, there are exceptions to this rule. Some states impose CDL (Commercial Driver's License) requirements when the trailer's GVWR exceeds 10,001 lbs. To sidestep this requirement, manufacturers often de-rate trailers to just under the CDL weight threshold (e.g., 9,990 lbs or 9,900 lbs in CA), allowing anyone to tow them. De-rating a trailer reduces both the legal payload capacity and the GVWR.
Payload Capacity: Safely Carrying Your Cargo
Payload capacity, sometimes referred to as cargo capacity, represents the total weight of cargo you can safely load onto your Elliff trailer. This figure is typically found near the VIN# on the trailer. You can calculate it by subtracting the empty weight of the trailer from the stickered GVWR.
A crucial piece of advice: never purchase a trailer with a higher GVWR than your vehicle's towing capacity. Unless you have precise knowledge of your maximum cargo payload (not just an estimate) and account for the empty weight of the trailer, exceeding your vehicle's towing capacity by overloading it can cause stress and damage.
For example, suppose your SUV/truck can tow 5,000 pounds, and you aim to load 3,500 lbs into a 7,000 lb GVWR Elliff Trailer. If the trailer weighs 2,500 pounds empty, your desired cargo would exceed your vehicle's towing capacity by 1,000 pounds. However, if you plan to load only 1,500 lbs into the same 2,500-pound trailer, you'll comfortably stay below your vehicle's towing capacity.
GAWR: Unveiling Axle Capacity
The term GAWR, or Gross Axle Weight Rating, solely represents the maximum capacity of the trailer's axles, not the legal weight limit on the road. A trailer could have tandem 6,000 lb axles (totaling 12,000 lbs), but the GVWR sticker might specify a maximum of 12,000 lbs or be de-rated to 9,990 lbs (or a similar weight under 10,000 lbs in CA) for non-CDL towing. If the GVWR is de-rated, the axles can still handle the full 12,000 lbs, but exceeding your trailer's stickered payload capacity while towing could put you in a legally tricky situation.
Understanding these terms and their interplay is essential when selecting an Elliff Trailer. It ensures not only legal compliance but also the safety and longevity of your towing experience. So, whether you're in the market for trailers or utility trailers, a solid grasp of GVWR, payload capacity, and GAWR will guide you to the ideal Elliff Trailer for your needs.