What is it and what does it mean that ours is 42,000 lbs? And is that abbreviated GCWR? Thanks, Susie

It is the weight specified by the builder of the coach as "The Maximum Loaded Weight" of your coach and its towed unit.

They come up with the G.C.W.R. based on tires, brake shoes, frame, suspension, engine, transmission, cooling capacity etc and figure that your coach can stop, not bend the frame, pull the load and not blow the tires off of it.

The total of the loaded vehicle weight of the coach w/ people and toad/trailer should not exceed that value.

Coach weight + load (water tanks filled, fuel tanks filled, plus extra stuff like food) + toad/trailer weight + people = G.C.W.R.

The G.C.W.R. also assumes that the toad/trailer has functioning brakes, with exceptions in most cases for very light (1,500 lbs or less) towed vehicles.

Because tires are the single biggest factor the average person can change, make sure that your tires will accept the G.C.W.R. Even thought the coach is rated for it, the replacement tires might not be...

Bill N.Y.