Every time consumers go to buy new vehicles; manufacturers prescribe GAWR and GVWR for those vehicles. Again, we get to hear why GVWR is less than GAWR. Probably, some equations make gross vehicle weight rating more than gross axle weight rating.
What happens if you exceed Gawr? Before explaining let check some basic on GAWR meaning and GVWR meaning.
Now, what can make us more clear are profound definitions of GVWR and GAWR.
Table of Contents
GVWR
GVWR means Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, which implies an allowable or maximum safe weight of a vehicle. For instance, the vehicle’s curb weight or empty weight plays a great role in gross vehicle weight.
Besides, passengers, cargos, fuel, accessories, and driver holds weight in GVWR. And, of course, a tow trailer’s tongue weight is there in a gross vehicle weight rating.
GAWR
GAWR refers to Gross Axle Weight Rating, where all weights are distributed in axles. In contrast, each axle does carry a maximum weight that cannot be excited. There are also FR (front rating) and RR (rear rating) in gross axle weight rating.
Is GAWR equal to GVWR?
Most often, GAWR of a vehicle differs in front axle and rear axle. Furthermore, we know each axle can hold each type of weight which are mere reasons to vary in gross axle weight rating.
Pointing to GVWR, this rating is totally given by manufacturers. So, there is no chance that gross vehicle weight will increase or decrease. But yes, keeping load as per our wish can increase a vehicle’s entire weight.
Similarly, there is also a prescribed weight given by the manufacturer that determines how much load your vehicle can hold. So, we need to keep that in mind as well.
All in all, GVWR and GAWR of a vehicle will only change if you get a call from authority or manufacturer regarding the gross axle weight and gross vehicle weight.
Difference between GVWR and GAWR
After understanding the definitions of GVWR and GAWR, we have to see the difference between gross vehicle weight rating and gross axle weight rating.
No doubt, gross vehicle weight is the weight of a vehicle and its passengers, cargos, fuels, and so on. Or you can say GVWR is the total weight of cargo and a trailer. At the same time, GAWR is a distributed weight at a limited level. Also, gross axle weight rating is a limited range which a vehicle’s axles can carry in most parts.
Why is GAWR more than GVWR?
Gross Axle Weight Rating is always more than Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. But have you ever tried to know why?
Well, every axle in a vehicle is rated to handle some weight. And those weights are generally ordered by manufacturers. Because some cases arise when vehicles’ axles become overloaded and thus need a specific limitation, it is obvious that GAWR is more in vehicles.
But, these sorts of uncertainties never get to be seen in GVWR. That is because gross vehicle weight ratings are invariably less than gross axle weight ratings.
Can GAWR be exceeded?
No, the Gross Axle Weight Rating can never be crossed to avoid unwanted suspensions. Whenever a vehicle’s rear system gets overstressed or overloaded, it can make the whole system break, bend, or even lose control on roads.
As a result, lots of problems are inevitable when GAWR is more in a vehicle. For the sake of your vehicle’s safety, try not to exceed the gross axle weight.
Nonetheless, there are some terms we all must follow when we will be owning a vehicle.
- Do not surpass the GVWR stated by manufacturer
- Do not surpass GAWR stated by manufacturer
- Components like- overload springs or air bags do not give any hand in increasing any of the above ratings.
