I was under the impression that GVWR in horse trailer speak meant the weight rating of a trailer AND its contents.  According to my dealer, it is the carrying capacity of the trailer--not including its own weight.

Can anyone clarify this, please?  My trailer specifies a GVWR of 9980 pounds.  I always figured this was equal to the weight of the trailer (5700 pounds or so) plus 3 horses and gear to make up the difference (3 big horses at 3600 pounds total, plus 500 pounds or so of water/gear).

You are correct.  Gross Vehicle Weight Rating means the total weight of the vehicle and its cargo.

Google search produces this >>

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&defl=en&q=define:GVWR&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title

I would call out your dealer on his facts and information. 

Another point...

The trailer manufacturer "May" have under rated the trailer to keep the towing driver from being required to have a class "A" license.  (In NC a trailer rated for 10,001 pounds requires a class "A" license.

My goodness!  That puts everyone with an LQ trailer in need of a Class A license in your state!!

I don't know a thing about the extra cost associated with such a license...

My concern is that I can build my own LQ out in this trailer, but would possibly be flirting with the rated GVWR of the trailer.  If I'm over, then I'd be subject to a fine/ticket.

Guess I need to get a weight on this trailer, empty...

Thank you for your reply.

Mike

It might not be as close...  Remember... The GVWR is only a rating.  The actual weight may be quite different.  When your GN is hitched, 20-30 percent of the trailer is on the truck.  So say your axles are rated for 9980 pounds but your loaded trailer weighs 12000 pounds.  At 20 % hitch weight, your axles are within their max rating.

Very encouraging...  Thank you.

Wonder what kind of balance issues are considered when the factory builds LQ into a trailer.  Seems like there's nothing to worry aboutso long as weights are distributed so that axle rating of the trailer and payload of the truck are not exceeded...

Mike

So if an ad says this "The trailer also has 2-5,000# axles, all-wheel electric brakes, an empty weight of 2,700#, a gross vehicle weight of 9,800#"

The 9800 is the 2700+ something like 2400 for the 2 horses+ any other contents? 

You may need to ask your insurance company.  In the event of an accident and upon finding you to have exceeded the GVWR they may deny your claim and leave you naked...

I have a friend who does forensic mechanics, he looks at the vehicle to find what caused the crash, etc.  He told me to make sure I knew I was under the weights for both truck and trailer that way I could force them to pay any claims.  Then again he sees the nasty end of all crashes...he also tries to NEVER drive within 100 yards of a Semi, apparently only a few percent are really up to safety standards!?!