Tow Calculators

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GCWR Calculator

Compare combined vehicle and trailer weight with your entered GCWR. Use compatible weights to avoid counting tongue or pin load twice.

Compare combined weight

Units: lb
Weight basis

Use manufacturer documentation for the exact vehicle configuration.

Includes people, cargo, fuel and hitch equipment, before connecting the trailer.

Includes the portion carried at the tongue or pin. Do not add it again.

Enter 0 for loads you are not adding. Results stay in this page.

Results

Your focused comparison appears here.

Enter the values above, then select Calculate. An estimate will remain labeled as an estimate.

GCW is a weight. GCWR is a rating.

Gross combined weight (GCW) is the weight of the vehicle and trailer together. Gross combined weight rating (GCWR) is the manufacturer’s maximum for that combination. This tool calculates GCW from compatible entered weights and compares it with your entered GCWR; it does not derive an official rating.

Formula and weight basis

GCW = actual unhitched trip-ready vehicle weight + total loaded trailer weight

Scale-basis GCW = front axle + rear axle + trailer axle

Remaining combined capacity = GCWR − GCW

In default mode, the vehicle weight is taken before connecting the trailer and already contains people, fuel, vehicle cargo and hitch equipment. Trailer weight is the total loaded weight, including tongue/pin load. Advanced mode instead sums the three platforms from one attached-combination weigh. Do not mix these two bases.

Worked example

A 5,800 lb unhitched trip-ready vehicle plus a 7,000 lb total loaded trailer gives 12,800 lb of GCW. Against a 16,000 lb GCWR, that is 80% used and 3,200 lb remaining. Do not add an extra 840 lb of tongue weight: it is already part of the trailer’s total weight.

Illustrative scenario, not a manufacturer specification or approval.

How to interpret the result

Headroom under GCWR is not a new maximum tow rating. Payload, GVWR, axle/tire ratings, hitch equipment and trailer GVWR may reach their limits first. An attached tow vehicle’s axle weight already carries some trailer load: adding total trailer weight to it again can double-count that load.

Common mistakes

  • Adding tongue/pin weight on top of unhitched vehicle weight plus total trailer weight.
  • Using hitched vehicle axle weight with total unhitched trailer weight.
  • Using dry trailer weight instead of total loaded weight.
  • Treating GCWR minus vehicle weight as manufacturer-approved trailer capacity.

Full Tow Calculator — compare the available vehicle, trailer and hitch limits together.

  • GVWR CalculatorYou want to compare the weight carried by the vehicle itself with its GVWR.
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Frequently asked questions

Where do I find GCWR?

Use the manufacturer’s towing guide or owner documentation for the exact vehicle configuration. This tool does not look up or certify a GCWR.

Why is there no tongue-weight input?

The total loaded trailer weight already includes it. When using unhitched vehicle weight plus that total, adding tongue/pin load again creates extra mass that is not really present.

Which weights belong in scale mode?

Use front/steer, rear/drive and trailer axle-platform weights from the same attached-combination weigh. Trailer axle weight is not the same as the entire trailer’s unhitched weight.

Sources and scope

Primary guidance reviewed September 28, 2026. Manufacturer labels and the manuals for your exact equipment take precedence.