How to Find the GCWR of a Vehicle

The quickest way to find a vehicle’s Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) is to check the owner’s manual and the manufacturer’s official towing guide for your exact model, year, engine, drivetrain, and axle ratio; if those aren’t available, use the automaker’s VIN-specific lookup or ask a dealer to print the build sheet. GCWR is rarely listed on the door-jamb label. In a pinch, you can estimate GCWR from the published “max trailer weight” plus the base curb weight, but only the manufacturer’s specification is authoritative. Below is a clear, step-by-step approach to locate and confirm the correct GCWR—and to avoid common mistakes that can compromise safety or legality.

What GCWR Means and Why It Matters

GCWR is the maximum allowable total weight of the vehicle and its trailer combined, including passengers, cargo, fuel, and accessories. It differs from GVWR (the vehicle’s own maximum weight) and GAWR (maximum per axle). Exceeding GCWR can overstress powertrain, cooling, braking, and chassis components, and may violate laws or insurance terms. Outside North America, you may see the term GCM (Gross Combination Mass) or train weight used for the same concept.

Where to Find GCWR: The Definitive Sources

These are the most reliable places to locate the GCWR for your specific vehicle. Because GCWR varies by configuration, always match the exact model year, engine, transmission, axle ratio, driveline, cab/bed, and tow package.

• Owner’s manual: Look in the towing or specifications section; many manuals list GCWR tables by configuration.
• Official towing/trailering guides: Automakers publish annual towing guides (e.g., Ford Towing Guide, GM/Chevrolet/GMC Trailering Guide, Ram Tow Charts, Toyota/Nissan Towing Guides) with GCWR by build.
• VIN-specific OEM portals: Use the manufacturer’s owner site or support line to retrieve a build sheet or spec summary tied to your VIN; dealers can also print this.
• Monroney/window sticker archives: For newer vehicles, the original window sticker or its online copy sometimes lists towing configuration details that map to a GCWR in the towing guide.
• Fleet/body builder guides: Commercial and HD trucks often have GCWR in body builder manuals or incomplete vehicle documents.
• Dealer service department: Provide your VIN and ask for the official GCWR and any towing-package codes (axle ratio, hitch rating, cooling upgrades).

Door-jamb labels typically show GVWR and GAWR, tire/loading data, and certification, but not GCWR. If you do see GCWR on a sticker, confirm it against the OEM towing guide for your VIN configuration.

Step-by-Step: Confirming GCWR for Your Exact Vehicle

Use this process to ensure you’re reading the right line for your vehicle—not just a similar model.

1. Gather identifiers: VIN, model year, make/model/trim, engine, transmission, drive (2WD/4WD/AWD), axle ratio, cab/bed, wheelbase, and whether you have the factory tow package.
2. Open the OEM towing guide for your model year and find the table that matches your drivetrain and axle ratio; note the GCWR listed for that exact configuration.
3. Cross-check with a VIN build sheet or dealer printout to verify axle ratio and tow-package content match the table you selected.
4. Verify component ratings: Confirm the hitch class and rating, cooling/brake upgrades, and tire load ratings meet or exceed the intended use.
5. Record the GCWR along with GVWR, GAWR (front/rear), hitch rating, and published max trailer weight for your records.

This confirmation prevents using a GCWR intended for a different engine, axle ratio, or package—differences that can materially change ratings.

If You Can’t Find It: Practical Workarounds

When documentation is missing, these options can help you get an authoritative value—or a careful estimate while you wait.

• Call the manufacturer or a franchised dealer with your VIN and request the GCWR or the towing spec sheet.
• Back-calculate cautiously: GCWR is typically close to (published max trailer weight + base curb weight + 150 lb driver). This is only an estimate because “max trailer” is often computed with minimal equipment and no cargo.
• For commercial/HD chassis cabs, check the incomplete vehicle document and body builder book for GCWR ranges by drivetrain and axle ratio.
• For non-U.S. markets, look for GCM/train weight in the owner’s manual or compliance plate; terminology varies by region.

Any estimate should be treated as provisional. Before towing near limits, obtain the official figure for your exact build.

Common Misconceptions and Legal Considerations

These pitfalls frequently lead to overloaded combinations or incorrect assumptions about capability.

• GCWR is rarely on the door sticker; that label usually shows GVWR/GAWR and tire/loading info only.
• GCWR is not GVWR plus tow rating, and it is not reliably derived from curb weight alone—use the manufacturer’s rating.
• The lowest-rated component governs: hitch class, ball mount, receiver, tires, wheels, and trailer coupler must all be within limits.
• Payload trade-off: Real-world max trailer = GCWR minus your actual, loaded vehicle weight. Every passenger, accessory, and cargo item reduces trailer capacity.
• Tongue/pin weight matters: Conventional trailers typically need 10–15% tongue weight; fifth-wheel/gooseneck often 20–25%, which counts against payload and axle ratings.
• Braking laws: Many jurisdictions require trailer brakes above a set weight (often around 3,000 lb, but local rules vary). Verify legal requirements where you drive.
• Weight-distributing hitches: Some OEMs require them above specific tongue-weight thresholds to maintain ratings and handling.

Following the most restrictive rating and applicable local regulations keeps you compliant and safer on the road.

Weighing and Real-World Verification

After you’ve identified the GCWR, weigh your setup to ensure you remain within limits under actual conditions.

1. Fuel up and load the vehicle with typical passengers, cargo, and accessories; set tire pressures to spec.
2. Weigh the tow vehicle alone (all axles) at a certified scale to get its actual loaded weight.
3. Hook up the loaded trailer and weigh the full combination to get actual GCVW (gross combined vehicle weight) and axle splits.
4. Compare: GCVW must be at or below GCWR; each axle must be at or below its GAWR; the vehicle must be at or below GVWR; hitch and tongue/pin weight must be within ratings.

If any value exceeds a rating, reduce cargo, redistribute weight, adjust hitch setup, or choose a lighter trailer to comply.

Useful Rules of Thumb

Two quick calculations help with planning and checks.

– Real-world maximum trailer weight = GCWR − actual loaded vehicle weight. – Typical tongue weight targets: 10–15% for conventional travel/utility trailers; 8–12% for many boats; 20–25% for fifth-wheel/gooseneck. Keep tongue/pin weight within both the hitch rating and the vehicle’s payload/axle limits.

Regional and EV Notes

In Europe and the UK, look for “gross train weight” or “maximum permissible mass of the combination.” In Australia, GCWR is often labeled GCM. For electric vehicles, towing capability—and thus GCWR—can be highly configuration-specific due to thermal management and braking strategies; check the exact VIN’s towing specification, expect reduced range, and verify trailer-brake requirements.

Summary

To find a vehicle’s GCWR, rely on the owner’s manual, the manufacturer’s model-year towing guide, or a VIN-specific build sheet from the automaker or dealer—door stickers usually won’t list it. Confirm the figure by matching your exact configuration, then verify in the real world by weighing your loaded setup and staying within GCWR, GVWR, GAWR, and component ratings. When in doubt, treat estimates as temporary and obtain the official number before towing near the limits.

How do I find my vehicle in GCWr?

You can find your vehicle’s Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) in the vehicle’s owner’s manual or on the manufacturer’s website, often within a towing guide or vehicle specifications section. The GCWR is not typically found on the door jamb sticker, which instead lists Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR).
 
Primary Sources:

• Owner’s Manual: This is the most common and reliable place to find the GCWR for your specific vehicle model and year. 
• Manufacturer’s Website: Look for a dedicated “Towing Guide,” “RV & Trailer Towing Guides,” or “Vehicle Specifications” section on your vehicle’s manufacturer website. 
• Dealership Brochures: The GCWR might also be listed in tow vehicle brochures or guides provided by the dealership for your model year. 
• VIN Decoder (for specific models): Some online VIN decoders or forums may offer this information by looking up your vehicle’s specific model and year. 

Why GCWR Isn’t on the Door Sticker:

• The door sticker typically contains vehicle weight ratings related to the fully loaded vehicle and its individual axles (GVWR and GAWR), but not the combined weight of the vehicle and a trailer. 
• The GCWR is a more complex rating, determined by multiple factors including the engine, transmission, axle ratio, and optional equipment. 

What to Do if You Can’t Find It:

• Contact the Manufacturer: If the information isn’t readily available in your manual or online, reach out to the vehicle manufacturer for assistance. 
• Use VIN Decoders: For some manufacturers, you may be able to use a VIN decoder to find the information. 

Is GCWR the same as GVWR?

GVWR is the maximum weight of the vehicle itself, including its own weight, passengers, and cargo, while GCWR is the maximum weight of the vehicle AND the attached trailer and its cargo combined. The key difference is the inclusion of the trailer’s weight in the GCWR, which is not part of the GVWR. 
Here’s a breakdown:

• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR):
  • This rating defines the maximum safe operating weight for the vehicle by itself. 
  • It accounts for the vehicle’s curb weight (weight with fluids but no cargo or passengers), plus any additional cargo and passengers. 
  • If you are towing, the trailer’s tongue weight counts against the vehicle’s GVWR. 
• Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR):
  • This is the maximum allowable weight of the tow vehicle and the loaded trailer together. 
  • It includes the GVWR of the vehicle, the weight of the trailer, and the weight of all the cargo and passengers in both the vehicle and the trailer. 
  • Exceeding the GCWR can lead to safety issues, including damage to the brakes, suspension, tires, and a decrease in the vehicle’s handling and braking abilities. 

How do you calculate GCWr?

You can find your vehicle’s Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) on a label in the driver’s side door jamb or in the owner’s manual. GCWR is the maximum combined weight of your fully loaded vehicle and the trailer it is towing, and it is determined by the vehicle manufacturer. You don’t calculate GCWR by hand; instead, you locate the rating provided by the manufacturer, which accounts for the engine, chassis, and other components.
 
This video explains what GCWR is and how to find it in your vehicle’s documentation: 55sThe Todd & Tony ShowYouTube · Dec 1, 2024
How to Find Your GCWR

1. 1. Check the Driver’s Side Door Jamb: Look for a sticker or label that contains information about the vehicle’s weight ratings, including GCWR. 
2. 2. Consult Your Owner’s Manual: The owner’s manual will provide the official GCWR for your specific vehicle. 
3. 3. Visit the Manufacturer’s Website: Some automakers provide towing capacity guides on their websites where you can find this information. 

What GCWR Includes

• The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the tow vehicle, which is the total weight of the fully loaded vehicle, including passengers and cargo. 
• The Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), which is the total weight of the loaded trailer. 

This video explains what components are included in the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR): 58sHall LogicYouTube · Jun 25, 2020
Why GCWR Is Important

• Safety: Staying below the GCWR ensures the combined weight of the vehicle and trailer does not exceed safe operating limits. 
• Performance: It ensures the vehicle’s engine, brakes, and chassis are not overloaded, which could compromise performance. 

How to tell towing capacity of vehicle?

To find your vehicle’s towing capacity, check the owner’s manual, look for a sticker on the driver’s side door jamb, or visit the manufacturer’s website. For calculation, you can also use the vehicle’s Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) and subtract its curb weight (its own weight) to find the maximum weight it can tow. Remember to always stay within these limits and account for the weight of passengers and cargo.
 
1. Consult Your Owner’s Manual
Your vehicle’s owner’s manual is the most reliable source for its specific towing capacity, including any associated ratings like the GCWR or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). 
This video explains how to find the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of your vehicle: 1mHall LogicYouTube · Aug 22, 2020
2. Check the Driver’s Door Jamb
A sticker on the driver’s side door jamb (where the door latches) often lists the vehicle’s GVWR. The manual or manufacturer’s website can provide the GCWR needed for the calculation, according to RealTruck. 
3. Visit the Manufacturer’s Website
If you don’t have your owner’s manual, you can look up your vehicle’s make, model, and year online. Automakers typically have resources to find this information. 
4. Calculate the Towing Capacity
If the exact towing capacity isn’t listed, you can calculate it: 

• Find the GCWR: This is the maximum total weight your vehicle and trailer can be together. 
• Find the Curb Weight: This is the weight of your vehicle empty, with all fluids. 
• Subtract: Use the formula: Towing Capacity = GCWR – Curb Weight. This result is the maximum weight your vehicle can tow. 

Example 

• GCWR: 15,000 lbs
• Curb Weight: 5,000 lbs
• Towing Capacity: 15,000 lbs – 5,000 lbs = 10,000 lbs

Important Considerations 

• Safety First: Never exceed your vehicle’s towing capacity.
• Consider All Weight: The calculation must include the weight of the trailer, all cargo inside the vehicle and trailer, and even the weight of the passengers.
• Professional Advice: If you’re unsure, contact a mechanic or the vehicle manufacturer for clarification.