· 8 min read
The core numbers
GVWR is the maximum loaded weight of the trailer. Curb weight is what it weighs empty. Payload is the difference. GCWR is the maximum combined weight of truck and trailer together.
A worked example
A 14,000 lb GVWR equipment trailer weighing 3,800 lbs empty carries 10,200 lbs of payload. A 9,000 lb skid steer plus a 900 lb attachment fits, but adding a pallet of material does not.
Tongue and pin weight
Target 10 to 15 percent of loaded weight on a bumper pull ball and 20 to 25 percent on a gooseneck pin. That weight counts against your truck's payload rating, not just its tow rating.
Verify at a scale
Certified scales at truck stops and feed stores cost a few dollars. Weighing a typical loaded configuration once tells you more than any estimate and protects you in an inspection.