|
Maximum
Gross Trailer Weight |
| Is
the most weight that a particular vehicle can safely
and reliably haul. To determine if you've reached
the Maximum Gross Trailer Weight of a vehicle, take
the total loaded trailer weight and add the combined
weight of all passengers, cargo and equipment in the
tow vehicle.
|
|
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR)
|
| Is
the maximum recommended weight for a vehicle,
including: the weight of the vehicle itself, fuel
and other fluids, passengers, and all cargo.
|
|
Payload
|
| Is
the combined, maximum allowable weight of cargo, and
passengers that the truck is designed to carry. To
calculate the payload of a vehicle, take the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating and subtract the Curb Weight.
|
|
Base Curb Weight
|
|
Is the weight of the vehicle including a full tank of fuel
and all standard equipment. It does not include
passengers, cargo or any optional equipment.
|
Who
determines the GVWR?
|
|
Vehicle manufacturers set the GVWR for each vehicle based
on standards set and enforced by Transport Canada.
|
|
How is the
GVWR of a vehicle determined?
|
|
Each manufacturer determines the maximum acceptable weight
limits for each vehicle by considering the combined weight
of the strongest weight bearing components (the axles) and
the weaker components (vehicle body, frame, suspension,
and tires). When these are factored in, the
manufacturer sets the vehicle's GVWR in accordance with
the standards set by Transport Canada.
|
|
What
happens when a vehicle is loaded above its GVWR?
|
| Vehicles that operate above
the GVWR are a potential safety hazard because the frame,
suspension, brakes and tires are not designed for weights
above the rating the manufacturer has set.
Overloading a vehicle can also result in increased
maintenance costs for the owner. The Motor Vehicle
Act Regulations of British Columbia prohibit vehicle
operators from loading their vehicle in excess of its GVWR.
|
|
How do I
make sure I am not overloading my vehicle?
|
|
The easiest way to figure out how much weight your vehicle
is designed to carry is to subtract the net weight of the
vehicle (found in your owner's manual) from the GVWR
(found on the driver's door post). The remaining
number is the maximum weight your vehicle can safely
carry. (it includes passengers, fuel and
cargo.) Aftermarket access or equipment will
increase the net weight of the vehicle. The weight
of these accessories or equipment must be added to the net
weight listed in your owner's manual. If you want to
check the net weight of your vehicle, you can take your
unloaded vehicle to ICBC Weigh Scale to be weighed.
|
|
What can I
do if my loaded vehicle exceeds its GVWR?
|
|
You can reduce the amount of cargo you have in your
vehicle or transfer a portion of your load to a
trailer. Exceeding the GVWR by excessively
overloading your vehicle is illegal, unsafe and can reduce
the service life of the vehicle.
|
|
Can my
vehicle be modified to carry more weight and increase the
GVWR?
|
Modifications to a vehicle can only be done at facilities
that are recognized by Transport Canada. All of
these facilities must have a National Safety Mark from
Transport Canada. To find out if a facility is
certified to do these types of modifications, ask to see
the Safety Mark. A company that modifies a vehicle
to increase the GVWR must ensure the GVWR is increased in
accordance with the original manufacturer's written
recommendations, or within the load-carrying capacity of
the vehicle's components, when the completed vehicle is
loaded for its intended use.
This is an expensive option
for light truck owners and because of the criteria
associated with increasing a vehicle's GVWR, it may be
difficult to find a facility willing to do the work.
|
|
What is the
difference between the licensed weight shown on my Owner's
Certificate and the GVWR stamped on the vehicle itself?
|
|
When a vehicle is licensed, the owner pays a licensing fee
based on the weight they plan to carry and tow. This
fee helps to offset the costs of maintaining B.C.'s roads
and highways. An additional licensing fee can be
paid to increase the amount a vehicle is licensed to carry
and tow, provided that amount does not exceed the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating. These fees are in place to
accommodate vehicles with a capacity to carry larger
loads.
|
|
If my
vehicle exceeds the GVWR and it becomes involved in an
accident, will this affect my insurance coverage?
|
|
Your ICBC insurance coverage will not be affected.
However, if the overweight problem contributed to the
accident you could be found partially or totally
responsible for the accident. This could result in
an increase to your future premiums. If your
vehicle's optional coverage has been purchased from a
private insurer, you should check to find out the policies
of that insurer in terms of coverage. Police may
also ticket you for operating an overweight vehicle.
|
|
How much
can my vehicle tow?
|
|
Check your owner's manual to find out your vehicle's
towing capability. If you tow too much, you could
damage your vehicle.
|
|
If I am
towing a trailer (or other vehicle) should I include its
weight in the GVWR of my vehicle?
|
|
No, you do not have to include the weight of your trailer
into your vehicle's GVWR. However, you must consider
the weight the load will put on your vehicle's trailer
hitch or 5th wheel. The weight exerted on the hitch
forms part of the load of the towing vehicle and should be
included as part of the towing vehicle's load.
|
|
What about
the weight of the load in the trailer? Does that
count towards the GVWR of the vehicle towing the trailer?
|
|
Vehicles such as utility trailers, motor homes, and horse
trailers usually have their own GVWR. You do not
have to include the weight of the load in the trailer as
part of the GVWR of the towing vehicle.
|
