What do the different vehicle weights mean?
The following terms are used to help you understand how much of a load your vehicle can safely carry or tow. Use our Payload & Towing Calculator for an understanding of your vehicle’s carrying and towing limits.
Vehicle weight information can also be found in your Owner's Manual.
Refer to our Towing & Carrying website page for more towing information. This is your go-to guide for a smoother, safer towing and carrying experience.
Key towing weight terms where the trailer is unhitched
Select from the drop-down menus below for information on each term:
Kerb Weight
The weight of the vehicle as it's ready to drive, with a full tank of fuel and all essential fluids, but without any passengers, cargo, or any accessory or other aftermarket additions.
- Min Kerb Weight: the weight of the base vehicle ready to drive, with no factory options added, with a full tank of fuel and all essential fluids.
- Max Kerb Weight: the weight of the base vehicle with all factory options added, full tank of fuel, all essential fluids.
Cargo
Vehicle: refers to the goods, luggage, or equipment being carried in the vehicle. It is part of the overall payload and contributes to the total weight of the vehicle.
Trailer: refers to the load or anything else being towed in the trailer.
Payload
The maximum weight of passengers, vehicle cargo, dealer fit accessories, or aftermarket additions that the vehicle can carry. It is the difference between Gross Vehicle Mass and the Kerb Weight.
Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM)
The total weight of a trailer when fully loaded, including its own weight plus everything it is carrying, when the trailer is not connected to a towing vehicle.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
It is the maximum weight that can be safely supported by the road wheels on the front and rear axle of the vehicle.
Key towing weight terms where trailer is hitched
Select from the drop-down menus below for information on each term:
Trailer Nose Weight (TNW)
Sometimes referred to as Towball Downforce Weight, this is the amount of weight the trailer exerts downwards on the vehicle’s tow ball. This is typically about 10% of the trailer’s total weight when fully loaded*.
When the trailer is hitched to a vehicle, the payload decreases by the Trailer Nose Weight.
Gross Trailer Mass
This is the total weight of the trailer when fully loaded and hitched to the vehicle, minus the Trailer Nose Weight (TNW), since the TNW is supported by the towing vehicle.
Gross Combined Mass (GCM)
The maximum total weight of the vehicle and trailer when they are attached and fully loaded. It includes everything: the vehicle, passengers, cargo, the trailer, and its load.
Towing Capacity
The maximum weight that the vehicle is legally allowed to tow.
Additional Information
Where can I find towing capacity information?
How do I find my vehicle's payload capacity?
*Refer to your Owner’s Manual for specific Trailer Nose Weight information.