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ARCADIS DOT ProgramCommercial Motor Vehicles

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Part 8:

Trailer Issues

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A Quick Definition and Acronym Review

• GVW - Gross Vehicle Weight. Means the weight of the vehicle including cargo and passengers.

• GVWR - Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. Means the value specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a single motor vehicle.

• GCW - Gross Combination Weight. Means the actual weight of the loaded vehicle and loaded trailer.

• GCWR - Gross Combination Weight Rating. The value specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a combination (truck and trailer) motor vehicle. In the absence of a value specified by the manufacturer, GCWR will be determined by adding the GVWR of the truck and the total weight of the trailer and any load thereon.

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A Quick Definition and

Acronym Review • GAW - Gross Axle Weight. The total

weight placed on each axle (front and rear).

• GAWR - Gross Axle Weight Rating. Means the maximum weight to be carried by a single axle (front or rear).

• Tongue Load - The weight that is placed on the hitch ball from a loaded trailer.

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Basic Trailer Connection ReviewBefore attaching a trailer, read the

vehicle and trailer specifications and follow instructions

• Don’t exceed the GCWR!

• Refer to the Owner’s Manual

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Attach Trailer Properly

Ensure Connection Compatibility

Verify Functionality of Lights

Cross Safety Chains

Maintain Slack but Don’t Let Drag on Ground

Combined Chain Strength ≥ GVW of Trailer

Hitch/Ball Mount/Ball Rated for Trailer GVWR

Hitch Ball and Trailer Coupling Device Compatible Size

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But Did You Consider the

Following?

Ensure applicable ratings and limits are not exceeded

• It is against ARCADIS policy to exceed the

GVWR, GCWR or GAWR of the truck and/or trailer

• Remember, trailer tongue load affects the truck GVW

Truck GVWR +Trailer GVWR ≤ Truck GCWR

Trailer GVW ≤ Trailer GVWRTruck GVW ≤ Truck GVWR

Front GAW ≤ Front GAWR

Combined GAW – Front GAW + Tongue Load ≤ Rear GAWR

Rear GAW ≤ Rear GAWR

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How to Find the GAWR...

Look on the Vehicle Safety Certification Label:

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Need to Figure Out Your Axle Weights, Tongue Weight or Gross Combined Weight?

Go to a public scale and weigh your combination vehicle using the following methods:

Scales are usually located at truck stops

Note: The controls might be >6 ft off the ground because of semi trucks. USE TRACK!

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What About State Regulations Regarding Trailers?

• You should consult State laws regarding trailers

• DOT Facts-006e has a summary of state trailer requirements

- Located on the DOT Program Page of APEX

• Regardless of Federal or State law:

It is ARCADIS policy that all trailers ≥ 1500 pounds GVWR are required to have brakes.

Why? Because truck manufacturer’s only design their brake systems to function properly at the truck’s GVWR not the GCWR!

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ConclusionReview the Procedure

Word .docx

Review FAQs

Word .docx

Review Summary of State Trailer Requirements

Excel .xlsx

Review the Fact Sheets

Multiple Documents