GCWR Calculator
Is your combined truck + trailer weight over the Gross Combined Weight Rating? Enter your numbers below to check. Exceeding GCWR strains your engine, transmission, and brakes.
Enter Your Numbers
From owner's manual or towing guide
Dry weight + cargo + water (8.34 lbs/gal) + propane
Understanding GCWR
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) is the maximum safe combined weight of your truck and trailer as determined by the manufacturer. It includes the weight of everything: the truck, all passengers, all cargo, and the fully loaded trailer.
The critical insight many RV owners miss: your actual towing capacity is GCWR minus your loaded truck weight, not the advertised tow rating. If your GCWR is 17,100 lbs and your loaded truck weighs 7,500 lbs, your real towing capacity is 9,600 lbs, not the 13,000 lbs on the brochure.
Pro Tip: Always check both GVWR and GCWR. Use our GVWR Calculator to check your truck weight, then come back here for the combined check. Or use the full Towing Capacity Calculator to check everything at once.
GCWR FAQ
What does GCWR mean?
GCWR stands for Gross Combined Weight Rating. It's the maximum safe combined weight of your truck and everything it's towing, including all passengers, cargo, and the fully loaded trailer. Exceeding GCWR strains your engine, transmission, and braking system.
How is GCWR different from tow rating?
Tow rating (max tow capacity) is the maximum trailer weight your truck can pull. GCWR is the maximum combined weight of truck + trailer. Your actual towing capacity is limited by: GCWR minus your loaded truck weight. For example, if your GCWR is 17,100 lbs and your loaded truck weighs 7,500 lbs, your actual safe tow capacity is 9,600 lbs, not the advertised 13,000 lbs.
How is GCWR different from GVWR?
GVWR is the max weight of your truck only. GCWR is the max weight of your truck plus trailer combined. You need to check both. You could be under GVWR (truck isn't overloaded) but over GCWR (truck + trailer together exceed the combined limit).
Where do I find my truck's GCWR?
GCWR is typically found in your owner's manual or the manufacturer's towing guide. It's not always on the door jamb sticker like GVWR. You can also search for '[Your Vehicle Year/Make/Model] towing guide' to find the GCWR for your specific trim, engine, and axle ratio.
Does GCWR include tongue weight twice?
No. The combined weight is the total weight on the ground: curb weight + passengers + cargo in truck + loaded trailer weight. The tongue weight is part of the loaded trailer weight and is also transferred to the truck, but it doesn't add extra weight to the system. It's just distributed differently between the truck and trailer axles.