If you tow or haul anything significant, understanding these four ratings is essential — and they’re regularly confused, even by experienced truck owners.
The Four Key Ratings
GVWR — Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
What it is: The maximum total weight your truck is rated to carry — truck itself plus everything in and on it (passengers, cargo, fuel, any tongue weight from a trailer).
Example: A Silverado 1500 LTZ with a 5.3L might have a GVWR of 7,100 lbs. If the truck weighs 5,300 lbs empty, your payload capacity is 1,800 lbs.
Why it matters: Exceeding GVWR voids your warranty and can result in liability issues in an accident.
GAWR — Gross Axle Weight Rating
What it is: The maximum weight each axle can support — front and rear are rated separately.
Why it matters: You can be under GVWR but still overload one axle. Tongue weight adds to the rear axle load — this is why tongue weight limits exist.
GCWR — Gross Combined Weight Rating
What it is: The maximum total weight of the truck AND the trailer together.
Example: A truck with an 18,000 lb GCWR that weighs 5,800 lbs can tow a maximum of 12,200 lbs before exceeding the GCWR.
Why it matters: This is the true towing limit — often MORE restrictive than the max trailer weight spec on some configurations.
Max Trailer Weight / Tow Rating
What it is: The maximum trailer weight as published by GM. This assumes a proper hitch receiver, correct axle ratio, and specific cab/bed/engine combo.
Important: This number assumes proper tongue weight distribution. Running 15% tongue weight (ideal) vs. 5% tongue weight changes the handling dramatically.
How Payload Affects Towing
Payload and towing are often confused as independent ratings — they’re not. Every passenger in the truck, every pound of gear in the bed, and the weight of your hitch all count against your payload.
Real example:
- GVWR: 7,100 lbs
- Truck empty weight: 5,300 lbs
- Available payload: 1,800 lbs
- Driver + passenger: 400 lbs
- Gear in bed: 200 lbs
- Remaining for tongue weight: 1,200 lbs
With 10% tongue weight, you can safely tow a 12,000-lb trailer. With 15% tongue weight, you’d need to keep the trailer under 8,000 lbs.
Quick Reference: What Limits What?
| Scenario | Binding Limit |
|---|---|
| Heavy trailer + light load | GCWR or max trailer weight |
| Multiple passengers + heavy trailer | GVWR (payload) |
| Fifth wheel / gooseneck | GAWR rear + GCWR |
| Tongue weight concerns | GAWR rear |
Always check your truck’s specific sticker and tow guide — the numbers vary significantly based on options ordered.