Why GCWR Can Exceed GVWR on a Pleasure-Way Plateau XLRB

[kdmccarthy46]

We recently purchased a 2025 Pleasure Way Plateau XLRB to travel to and from east and west coast residences. We initially planned to tow our 2021 Jeep Wangler but find that it is just over the weight limit (4200 lbs) for this RV. We now find that the GVWR (11030 lbs) minus dry wt (9785 lbs) leaves us with about 1245 lbs for loading our gear for six months plus dogs, people, fuel, etc. At the same time, the GCWR for this vehicle is 15,250 lbs.

My question is why can this RV have a GCWR of 15,250 lbs and only a GVWR of 11,030 lbs. I would think that the GCWR would reflect what the load on the engine and drive chain could handle and yet the GVWR is essentially 4,000 lbs less.

Any thoughts greatly appreciated.
Ken

 

[Larry N.]

It's not all about pulling power of the engine and drive train. The COMBINED one is two vehicles, so with a trailer (or toad) you have more suspension supporting the weight, is probably the main factor. The VEHICLE one would overload the single physical vehicle with that higher weight, though the engine and drive train could stand to pull it.

That's why GCWR is higher.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Pulling power is only one factor - braking,suspension, and steer-ability enter into GVWR as well. In fact, GVWR is fundamentally about how much weight the vehicle suspension can safely carry, with the engine, transmission and steering secondary factors that might limit the GVWR further but cannot increase it above what the suspension can do.
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GCWR, however, adds the capability of a second set of axles, wheels, brakes, and suspension to the primary vehicle GVWR, so that combined value goes up while the primary vehicle GVWR remains unchanged

 

[Kirk]

The GVWR is the amount of weight that your RV is designed to carry. The GCWR is the total amount of weight that the chassis is designed to move.

 

[RV_Lee122]

Is it a different Mercedes Chassis? I had a guy beside me at a campground in a sprinter based class C that was flat towing a 2dr Jeep Wrangler last summer. I was admiring it, thinking it would be the perfect toad.

 

[bigbAZ]

Is it a different Mercedes Chassis? I had a guy beside me at a campground in a sprinter based class C that was flat towing a 2dr Jeep Wrangler last summer. I was admiring it, thinking it would be the perfect toad.

Both of the current dually Sprinter chassis used for RVs are limited to 15,250 GCWR, be it the 3500 or the 4500. Depending on the Jeep, it could be light enough. A stock TJ only weighs 3,500-3,600 lbs with hardtop on. Then again I think many Sprinter based RVs end up overloaded and the owner's don't have a clue.

The 4500 builds often end up being able to tow less because the upfitters take advantage of the higher GVWR and build them heavier which results in a reduction of towing capacity.

 

[John From Detroit]

My question is why can this RV have a GCWR of 15,250 lbs and only a GVWR of 11,030 lbs. I would think that the GCWR would reflect what the load on the engine and drive chain could handle and yet the GVWR is essentially 4,000 lbs less.

You are basically correct GCVWR is the load on the Engine and drive train.
BUT NOT THE Brakes and suspension. (The "Trailer" (Jeep in your case) has brakes which can, and should, be operated by the motor home)
GVWR reflects the Brakes and suspension on the motor home itself.

I will say that for safety reasons they are often er... Conservative.. when they rate them. But for the same safety reasons.. You should respect them.

 

[garyb1st]

Weigh your RV at a CAT Scale. Weigh it as you plan to travel, ie., you, your wife and dog, full fuel (propane and diesel) clothe, gear, as much food and water as you plan to carry. Then subtract that number from the GCWR. The difference is how heavy a vehicle you can tow.