GVW, GTW and kerbweight explained

10 May 2026 · by Jérémy Vaucher

As soon as towing comes up, three values keep returning: gross vehicle weight, gross train weight and kerbweight. Mixing them up means risking an overload without even realising. Here is the difference, simply, and where each one is read.

The definitions

Gross vehicle weight is the maximum laden weight of the car on its own. Gross train weight is the maximum laden weight of the whole outfit, car plus loaded trailer. Kerbweight is the mass of the car with no load or occupants. Payload is the gross vehicle weight minus the kerbweight.

Why it matters

Towing capacity comes from the gross train weight minus the gross vehicle weight, capped by the manufacturer braked towing weight. A car that is heavy unladen leaves less margin than you would think. The detail is on every page, for example the Skoda Kodiaq or the Renault Austral.

To move on to the maths, read how to work out towing capacity, or filter by capacity with the 1,500 kg ranking.

Only the V5C logbook is authoritative for your vehicle.