10-14Technical and consumer information
WARNING
.It is extremely dangerous to
ride in a cargo area inside
the vehicle. In a collision,
people riding in these areas
are more likely to be ser-
iously injured or killed.
.Do not allow people to ride
in any area of vehicle that is
not equipped with seats and
seat belts.
.Be sure everyone in your
vehicle is in a seat and using
a seat belt properly.
TERMS
It is important to familiarize your-
self with the following terms before
loading your vehicle:
. Curb Weight (actual weight of
your vehicle) - vehicle weight
including: standard and optional
equipment, fluids, emergency
tools, and spare tire assembly.
This weight does notinclude passengers and cargo.
. GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) -
curb weight plus the combined
weight of passengers and cargo.
. GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rat-
ing) - maximum total combined
weight of the unloaded vehicle,
passengers, luggage, hitch, trai-
ler tongue load and any other
optional equipment. This infor-
mation is located on the F.M.V.S.
S./C.M.V.S.S. label.
. GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
- maximum weight (load) limit
specified for the front or rear
axle. This information is located
on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. label.
. GCWR (Gross Combined Weight
Rating) - The maximum total
weight rating of the vehicle,
passengers, cargo, and trailer.
. Vehicle Capacity Weight, Load
limit, Total load capacity - max-
imum total weight limit specified
of the load (passengers and
cargo) for the vehicle. This is
the maximum combined weight of occupants and cargo that can
be loaded into the vehicle. If the
vehicle is used to tow a trailer,
the trailer tongue weight must
be included as part of the cargo
load. This information is located
on the Tire and Loading Infor-
mation label.
. Cargo capacity - permissible
weight of cargo, the weight of
total occupants weight sub-
tracted from the load limit.
VEHICLE LOADING INFORMATION
STI0445
VEHICLE LOAD CAPACITY
Do not exceed the load limit of your
vehicle shown as “The combined
weight of occupants and cargo” on
the Tire and Loading Information
label. Do not exceed the number of
occupants shown as “Seating Ca-
pacity” on the Tire and Loading
Information label.
To get “the combined weight of
occupants and cargo”, add the
weight of all occupants, then add
the total luggage weight. Examples
are shown in the illustration.
Steps for determining correct load
limit
1. Locate the statement “The com-bined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX
kg or XXX lbs” on your vehicle’s
placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers
that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers
Technical and consumer information10-15
10-16Technical and consumer information
from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For ex-
ample, if the XXX amount equals
1400 lbs. and there will be five
150 lb. passengers in your vehi-
cle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity
is 650 lbs. (1400 − 750 (5 x 150) =
650 lbs) or (640 − 340 (5 x 70) =
300 kg.)
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being
loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed
the available cargo and luggage
load capacity calculated in Step
4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will
be transferred to your vehicle.
Consult this manual to deter-
mine how this reduces the avail-
able cargo and luggage load
capacity of your vehicle.
Before driving a loaded vehicle, confirm that you do not exceed
the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) or the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) for your vehicle. (See
“Measurement of weights” (P.10-17).)
Also check tires for proper inflation
pressures. See the Tire and Loading
Information label.
SIC4446
SECURING THE LOAD
There are tie down hooks located in the
cargo area as shown. The tie down hooks
can be used to secure cargo with ropes or
other types of straps.
Do not apply a total load of more than
22 lb (10 kg) to a single hook
or 7 lb (3
kg) to a single hookwhen securing
cargo.
WARNING
. Properly secure all cargo with
ropes or straps to help prevent it
from sliding or shifting. Do not
10-20Technical and consumer information
TI1012M
MAXIMUM GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT
(GVW)/MAXIMUM GROSS AXLE
WEIGHT (GAW)
The GVW of the towing vehicle must not
exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) shown on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S.
certification label. The GVW equals the
combined weight of the unloaded vehicle,
passengers, luggage, hitch, trailer tongue
load and any other optional equipment. In
addition, front or rear GAW must not
exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) shown on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S.
certification label.
Towing capacities are calculated assum-
ing a base vehicle with driver and anyoptions required to achieve the rating.
Additional passengers, cargo and/or op-
tional equipment, such as the trailer hitch,
will add weight to the vehicle and reduce
your vehicle’s maximum towing capacity
and trailer tongue load.
The vehicle and trailer need to be
weighed to confirm the vehicle is within
the GVWR, Front GAWR, Rear GAWR, Gross
Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) and
Towing capacity.
All vehicle and trailer weights can be
measured using platform type scales
commonly found at truck stops, highway
weigh stations, building supply centers or
salvage yards.
To determine the available payload capa-
city for tongue/king pin load, use the
following procedure.
1. Locate the GVWR on the F.M.V.S.S./C.
M.V.S.S. certification label.
2. Weigh your vehicle on the scale with all of the passengers and cargo that
are normally in the vehicle when
towing a trailer.
3. Subtract the actual vehicle weight from the GVWR. The remaining
amount is the available maximum
tongue/king pin load.
To determine the available towing capa-
city, use the following procedure. 1. Find the GCWR for your vehicle on the
“Towing Load/Specification” chart
found later in this section.
2. Subtract the actual vehicle weight from the GCWR. The remaining
amount is the available maximum
towing capacity.
To determine the Gross Trailer Weight,
weigh your trailer on a scale with all
equipment and cargo, that are normally
in the trailer when it is towed. Make sure
the Gross trailer weight is not more than
the Gross Trailer Weight Rating shown on
the trailer and is not more than the
calculated available maximum towing
capacity.
Also weigh the front and rear axles on the
scale to make sure the Front Gross Axle
Weight and Rear Gross Axle Weight are
not more than Front Gross Axle Weight
and Rear Gross Axle Weight on the F.M.V.S.
S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label. The cargo
in the trailer and vehicle may need to be
moved or removed to meet the specified
ratings.
Example:
. Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) as
weighed on a scale - including pas-
sengers, cargo and hitch - 5,822 lb.
(2,641 kg).
.Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
from F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification
label - 7,300 lb. (3,311 kg).
. Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR) from “Towing Load/Specifica-
tion” chart - 14,700 lb. (6,668 kg).
. Maximum Trailer towing capacity
from “Towing Load/Specification”
chart - 8,500 lb. (3,856 kg).
7,300 lb. (3,311 kg) GVWR
− 5,822 lb. (2,641 kg) GVW
= 1,478 lb. (670 kg) Available for tongue
weight
14,700 lb. (6,668 kg) GCWR
− 5,822 lb. (2,641 kg) GVW
= 8,878 lb. (4,027 kg) Capacity available for
towing
1,478 lb. (670 kg) / Available tongue
weight
8,878 lb. (4,027 kg) Available capacity
= 11 % tongue weight
The available towing capacity may be less
than the maximum towing capacity due
to the passenger and cargo load in the
vehicle.
Remember to keep trailer tongue weight
between 10 - 15% of the trailer weight or
within the trailer tongue load specifica- tion recommended by the trailer manu-
facturer. If the tongue load becomes
excessive, rearrange the cargo to obtain
the proper tongue load. Do not exceed
the maximum tongue weight specifica-
tion shown in the “Towing load/specifica-
tion” chart even if the calculated available
tongue weight is greater than 15%. If the
calculated tongue weight is less than 10%,
reduce the total trailer weight to match
the available tongue weight.
Always verify that available capacities are
within the required ratings.
Technical and consumer information10-21
10-22Technical and consumer information
TOWING LOAD/SPECIFICATION
WARNING
The towing capacities provided in
this manual are for general reference
only. The safe towing capacity of
your vehicle is affected by dealer
and factory installed options and
passenger and cargo loads. You
must weigh the vehicle and trailer
as described in this manual to de-
termine the actual vehicle towing
capacity. Do not exceed the pub-
lished maximum towing capacity, or
the GCWR or the GVWR shown on the
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification la-
bel. Doing so can result in an acci-
dent causing serious personal injury
or property damage.
Towing load/specification chart
Axle Type Two-Wheel Drive (2WD)Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)
Maximum Towing Capacity*1, *2 8,500 lb (3,856 kg)
Maximum Tongue Load 850 lb (385 kg)
Maximum Gross Combined Weight Rat-
ing 14,450 lb (6,554 kg)
14,700 lb (6,668 kg)
1: The towing capacity values are calculated assuming a base vehicle with driver and any options required to achieve the rating. Additional passengers, cargo and/or optional
equipment will add weight to the vehicle and reduce your vehicle’s maximum towing
capacity.
2: Use of a weight-distributing hitch system is recommended when towing over 5,000 lb (2,267 kg).