This chapter will guide you in the proper loading of your vehicle and/or trailer, to keep your loaded vehicle weight within its design rating capability, with or without a trailer.

Properly loading your vehicle will provide maximum vreturn of the vehicle design performance. Before loading your vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms for determining your vehicle's weight ratings, with or without a trailer, from the vehicle's specifications and the compliance label:

Base curb weight. This is the weight of the vehicle including battery and all standard equipment. It does not include passengers, cargo, or optional equipment.

Vehicle curb weight. This is the weight of your vehicle when you purchased it plus any installed aftermarket equipment.

Cargo weight. This figure includes all weight added to the Base Curb Weight, including cargo and optional equipment.

GAW (Gross axle weight). This is the total weight placed on each axle (front and rear) - including vehicle curb weight and all payloads.

GAWR (Gross axle weight rating). This is the maximum allowable weight that can be carried by a single axle (front or rear). These weighs are shown on the compliance label. The total load on each axle must never exceed the GAWR.

GVW (Gross vehicle weight) This is the Base Curb Weight plus actual Cargo Weight plus passengers.

GVWR (Gross vehicle weight rating) This is the maximum allowable weight of the fully loaded vehicle (including all options, equipment, passengers and cargo). The GVWR is shown on the certification label located on the driver's door sill.