RV glossary · Weights & towing limits
UVW (Unloaded Vehicle Weight)
Also called: Unloaded Vehicle Weight, Dry weight
What the RV weighs as it leaves the factory, without cargo, water or (usually) propane. Manufacturers often list it as UVW or “dry weight.”
UVW is a starting point, not your camping weight. Exactly what it includes varies: many manufacturers include a full propane tank and batteries, while others don’t, and dealer-installed options add weight that isn’t counted. Brochure UVWs are often for the base model.
The difference between GVWR and UVW is the cargo carrying capacity (CCC): how much you can add before reaching the limit. Comparing trailers only by UVW can be misleading, because two trailers with similar dry weights can have very different GVWRs and cargo capacities.
For towing decisions, compare your vehicle’s tow rating with the trailer’s GVWR, not its UVW.