A trip-ready RV can carry more weight than expected. Add clothing, groceries, camping gear, passengers, and water, and its weight can differ substantially from its empty weight. Available storage space does not mean more cargo can be safely loaded.
To determine whether an RV stays within its weight limits, it should be weighed in its actual travel condition. CAT Scales at U.S. truck stops can also be used by RVs. With a truck and trailer connected, owners can check four figures: front axle, rear axle, trailer axle group, and total weight.
Vehicle Weight Ratings to Know First
An RV’s load limits can be found on its certification label, cargo-capacity sticker, and manufacturer documentation. Knowing the following terms makes the scale results easier to understand.
GVWR — Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
This is the maximum weight a vehicle must not exceed when carrying passengers, cargo, fuel, water, and other loads. For a motorhome, it applies to the entire vehicle; for a trailer, it applies to the trailer itself.
GAWR — Gross Axle Weight Rating
This is the maximum weight each axle can support. Even when total weight is within the GVWR, cargo concentrated toward the rear can exceed the rear axle’s weight rating. Both total weight and axle weights should therefore be checked.
CCC and OCCC — Additional Carrying Capacity
Generally, newer trailers list CCC, or cargo carrying capacity, while motorhomes list OCCC, or occupant and cargo carrying capacity. Fresh water counts toward the load, and motorhome occupants’ body weight must also be subtracted from the OCCC.
One gallon of water weighs about 8.3 pounds. Filling a 60-gallon tank adds roughly 500 pounds of water alone. The basis used to calculate a sticker may vary by model year and vehicle, so check the information for the specific RV. [RV Safety & Education Foundation weight terminology guide]
GCWR — Combined Weight Limit for Tow Vehicle and Trailer
This is the maximum combined weight when a tow vehicle and trailer are connected. Staying within that combined limit does not necessarily meet every requirement, however. The GVWR and axle-by-axle GAWR for both the tow vehicle and trailer must also be checked separately.
The load a trailer places on its hitch also matters. The tongue weight of a conventional trailer or the pin weight of a fifth wheel is included in the weight carried by the tow vehicle. When calculating a truck’s payload capacity, account for the hitch and this load along with passengers and cargo.
CAT Scales Can Also Be Used for RVs
CAT Scales are vehicle scales used primarily by commercial trucks. They can also weigh motorhomes, travel trailers, and fifth wheels, and CAT Scale’s official guidance explains how different vehicle configurations should be positioned.
When visiting a scale, it is best to arrive as close as possible to actual departure condition. Load the gear normally carried, and fill fuel and water to the amounts expected during the trip. Write down the vehicle’s weight ratings in advance so they can be compared with the results.
Locations can be found on the CAT Scale website. First-time users can tell an on-site employee that they are there to weigh an RV and ask for guidance. The basic weigh fee listed in the official FAQ is $15.25, while a reweigh costs $5.25 if specified requirements are met, including a reweigh by the same vehicle on the same scale within 24 hours. Check the fee on site before using the scale. [CAT Scale official FAQ]
Reading the Four Numbers on the Weight Ticket
For a typical truck-and-trailer combination, place the truck’s front axle on the first platform, its rear axle on the second, and the trailer axles on the third. The weight ticket can be read as follows.
| Weight Ticket Item | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Steer Axle | Weight carried by the tow vehicle’s front axle |
| Drive Axle | Weight carried by the tow vehicle’s rear axle |
| Trailer Axle | Weight supported by the trailer axle group |
| Gross Weight | Combined weight of all vehicles on the scale |
A typical two-axle motorhome places its front axle on the first platform and rear axle on the second. If towing a passenger vehicle behind it, that vehicle is generally placed on the third platform. A motorhome with a tag axle requires separate guidance. [CAT Scale vehicle-specific weighing guide]
Trailer users should also note this. “Trailer Axle” on the weight ticket is not the trailer’s total weight. The weight supported by the tow vehicle through the hitch is included in the tow-vehicle readings. Additional steps, such as weighing the tow vehicle by itself, are needed to determine the trailer’s actual gross weight or the load at the connection point.
Check Weight Distribution, Not Just Gross Weight
CAT Scales are useful for checking weight by axle or axle group and total weight, but they do not show the weight carried by each individual left and right wheel. A separate RV-focused weighing service is needed to check wheel-by-wheel loads. [CAT Scale weighing-scope guide]
If a reading exceeds an allowable rating, remove unnecessary cargo. If weight is concentrated on a particular axle, redistribute the load and weigh again. When total weight is over the limit, simply moving cargo to another location will not solve the problem.
Consider adding “weigh the RV” to the pre-departure checklist. Knowing how much weight is actually being carried is a first step toward safer travel.
Photo: Ktr101 / Original photo. CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo date: 2011-08-26 12:01:20. Resized and compressed for display.
