Interpretation ID: aiam2223
Wenke
Burge & Taylor
Suite 801
1055 North Main Street
Santa Ana
CA 92701;
Dear Mr. Evans: This is in response to your February 10, 1976, letter concerning th determination of Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for boat trailers.; You have presented the following two examples: >>>GVWR -- 3300, GAWR -- 2970 and GVWR -- 3000, GAWR -- 2700. <<< Assuming that 10 percent of the trailer's loaded weight is carried b the towing vehicle, each example reflects a permissible relationship between the GVWR and the GAWR. Your letter indicates that your client presently provides a GVWR figure of 3000 pounds,; >>>based on the load carrying capacity determined when the trailer i *not* connected to a towing vehicle.<<<; If by this you mean that the boat trailer's axle system has a loa carrying capacity of 3000 pounds, then the trailer would actually be entitled to a GAWR of 3000 pounds and a GVWR of 3333 pounds. Your client is free, of course, to establish more conservative load ratings. However, the GAWR should not be less than 9/10 of the accompanying GVWR.; Yours truly, Richard B. Dyson, Assistant Chief Counsel