GVWR vs. GCWR Weight Ratings
| Entry Date | July 26, 2010 |
|---|---|
| Issue Number | 10-019-VEH |
| Name | Luke Loy / Mike Schmidt |
| Agency | FMCSA / Packaging Services, Inc. |
| Address | 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SWWashington, DC, 20590United StatesMap It (opens in a new tab) |
| Phone | 202-366-0676 |
| Fax | (202) 366-8842 |
| [email protected] | |
| Committee | Vehicle Committee |
| Status | Closed |
| Summary of Issue | Gross combination weight rating, gross vehicle weight rating, gross axle weight rating discussion on the merits of whether a regulation needs to be developed to identify that an unsafe condition exists when a tow vehicle exceeds its gross combination weight rating and/or any axle in the combination exceeds its axle weight rating and/or any vehicle in the combination exceeds its gross vehicle weight rating. |
| Justification or Need | There are concerns regarding the safety aspects of medium and heavy duty pickups hauling trailers in excess of the gross combination weight rating specified by the truck manufacturer. Normally this issue stops at the question of whether a CDL is required by the driver, and doesn't address the potential safety impact of an inadequate tow vehicle. Concerns regarding the safety aspects of states up-rating (GVWR/GCWR) trucks and tractor trailer combinations to reflect weights allowable on state secondary roads that are not allowable under the bridge formula on interstate highways, unless part of recent pilot projects, i.e., Maine/Vermont. |
| Request for Action | Request discussion to lead to consensus for a course of action or inaction, whatever the as the case may be. |