2012 Jeep Patriot Owner Manual - Page 378

376 STARTING AND OPERATING rear GAWR. Refer to "Vehicle Loading/Vehicle CertificaGross Trailer Weight (GTW) The GTW is the weight of the trailer plus the weight of all tion Label" in "Starting and Operating" for further cargo, consumables and equipment (permanent or tem- information. porary) loaded in or on the trailer in its Љloaded and WARNING! ready for operationЉ condition. The recommended way to measure GTW is to put your fully loaded trailer on a vehicle scale. The entire weight of the trailer must be supported by the scale. It is important that you do not exceed the maximum front or rear GAWR. A dangerous driving condition can result if either rating is exceeded. You could lose control of the vehicle and have a collision. Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) The GCWR is the total permissible weight of your vehicle Tongue Weight (TW) and trailer when weighed in combination. The tongue weight is the downward force exerted on the NOTE: The GCWR rating includes a 150 lbs (68 kg) hitch ball by the trailer. In most cases it should not be less allowance for the presence of a driver. than 10% or more than 15% of the trailer load. You must consider this as part of the load on your vehicle. Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) The GAWR is the maximum capacity of the front and rear Frontal Area axles. Distribute the load over the front and rear axles The frontal area is the maximum height multiplied by the evenly. Make sure that you do not exceed either front or maximum width of the front of a trailer.