Truck Weight Ratings: What They Mean (And Why You Should Care)

Taylor Kraenzel
Sep 26
3 min read

If you’ve ever looked at the sticker inside your truck door, you’ve probably seen a bunch of numbers like GVWR or GAWR and wondered, “What in the world do those mean?”

The truth is, those weight ratings aren’t just random, they tell you how much your truck can safely carry and tow. At Ameri-Tech, where we upfit trucks with service bodies, flatbeds, and all kinds of gear, these numbers are a big deal. Let’s break them down in plain English.

GVWR – Gross Vehicle Weight Rating

Think of this as the truck’s max limit. It includes everything: the truck itself, you and your passengers, fuel, tools, equipment, and cargo.

Example: If your truck’s GVWR is 10,000 lbs and the truck weighs 7,000 lbs empty, you can haul 3,000 lbs of stuff.
Why it matters: Go over this number, and your truck’s brakes, suspension, and tires all get pushed past what they’re designed for.

GAWR – Gross Axle Weight Rating

This is how much weight each axle (front and rear) can handle.

If you stack a ton of heavy tools in the back, it’s the rear axle that takes the beating.
Overload it, and you’ll see sagging suspension, uneven tire wear, or worse.

GCWR – Gross Combined Weight Rating

This one comes into play when you’re towing. It’s the total max weight of your truck plus whatever you’re pulling behind it.

Example: If the GCWR is 20,000 lbs and your truck is 10,000 lbs loaded, you can tow up to 10,000 lbs safely.
Why it matters: Too heavy of a trailer = transmission and brake nightmares.

Payload

Payload is just how much weight you can carry in the truck itself.

Formula: GVWR – truck’s empty weight.
So if your GVWR is 10,000 lbs and the truck weighs 7,000 lbs, you’ve got 3,000 lbs of payload to work with.
That includes tools, people, service bodies, toolboxes, everything.

Towing Capacity

This is how much your truck can pull without putting you or the truck at risk.

Always check your hitch rating too, it’s not just about what the truck can handle.
If your trailer is too heavy, you’ll feel it fast (and not in a good way).

Curb Weight

That’s just the weight of your truck “as is”, with fuel and fluids, but no cargo or passengers. It’s the baseline for figuring out all the other ratings.

Why This Matters When You Upfit

When you add a service body, flatbed, or crane, that weight counts against your payload.

That’s why we at Ameri-Tech always match the right body to the right truck. We make sure you’ve still got plenty of capacity for tools, gear, and whatever the job throws at you, without pushing your truck past its limits.

Quick Recap

GVWR = Max weight of truck + everything in it
GAWR = Max per axle
GCWR = Truck + trailer combined
Payload = What you can carry in the truck
Towing Capacity = What you can pull safely

At the end of the day, these numbers keep you safe, protect your truck, and help you get the job done right.

👉 Need help picking the right setup? Ameri-Tech’s got you covered, from service bodies to flatbeds, we’ll make sure your truck is built tough and stays within its limits.