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Pre-Travel Information
Vehicle Labels
Decals and data plates used throughout the RV aid in its safe
and ecient operation; others give service instructions. Read all
decals, data and instruction plates before operating your RV. If
any decal, data or instruction plate is painted over, damaged or
removed, it should be replaced.
Weight Ratings & Definitions
It is essential to understand and stay within the weight ratings
of your RV and tow vehicle. Learning these definitions is the first
step in safely managing your RV's weight and balance. Vehicle
and trailer weight numbers fall into two categories:
• Ratings are maximum limits, NEVER to be exceeded.
These limits are established by Grand Design RV and our
component manufacturers in the design of the vehicle.
• Weight and Load are often used interchangeably. Weight
is measured by putting an RV, tow vehicle or its components
on a scale. Vehicles and cargo have weight, which impart
loads to tires, axles, and hitches.
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) - GAWR is the maximum
weight each axle is designed to carry.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) - GVWR (also called
Maximum Loaded Trailer Weight) includes the GAWR plus the
hitch weight. It is the maximum allowed weight for a fully loaded
RV or tow vehicle.
Gross (Trailer/Vehicle) Weight - Gross Weight is the total
actual weight of your RV plus cargo, as measured on a scale.
UVW (Unloaded Vehicle Weight) - UVW is the weight of the RV
as built at the factory. The UVW includes the empty LP bottles
but does NOT include cargo, water, LP gas, or dealer-installed
accessories.
Hitch Weight (or Tongue Weight) - is the amount of weight that
presses down on the hitch when an RV is connected to a vehicle.
CCC (Cargo Carrying Capacity)
• United States: CCC is equal to GVWR minus the following:
UVW and LP gas weight. Water is considered cargo weight.
• Canada: CCC is equal to GVWR minus the following:
UVW, LP gas weight, and full fresh (or potable) water weight
(including the water heater).
For additional definitions, See page 165, Glossary
Exceeding a rating may
result in unsafe conditions,
potential damage, may void
a warranty, may complicate
an insurance claim, and in
some cases, may violate a
law.
The actual total weight
of the vehicle, all options,
liquids, your personal
cargo, and the hitch weight
is important to know so
that you DO NOT exceed
the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) of the RV.
The volume of space
available for storage may
exceed the amount of
available Cargo Capacity.
Large storage compart-
ments have been designed
to accommodate normal
camping items, which are
bulky, but not necessarily
heavy.
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