Dry Weight / Shipped Weight – The weight of the RV as it leaves the manufacturer, excluding passengers, cargo, fluids, dealer-installed options, or aftermarket accessories.
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) – The actual total weight of the RV at any given time, including its dry weight plus passengers, cargo, and all liquids.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) – The maximum allowable weight of the vehicle or RV when fully loaded, including passengers, cargo, fluids, and accessories.
Cargo Weight – The combined weight of everything added to the RV, such as passengers, food, clothing, gear, fluids, and personal items.
Tongue / Hitch Weight – The downward force applied by a trailer’s tongue or coupler onto a conventional or bumper-style hitch on the tow vehicle.
Pin Weight – Commonly associated with fifth wheels, this is the weight transferred from the trailer’s king pin to the hitch mounted in the bed of a truck.
Payload Capacity – For trucks, this is the maximum weight that can be safely carried in the bed. This includes the fifth-wheel hitch, pin or hitch weight, and any additional cargo or accessories. Always verify payload limits with the vehicle manufacturer.
Maximum Towing Capacity – The highest total weight your vehicle can safely tow. This includes the RV’s GVW plus the weight of passengers, cargo, and fluids in the tow vehicle.
