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What Is the RV Yellow Sticker? (Terminology & Definitions)
When you first start learning how to read an RV yellow sticker, it helps to understand what it is and why it matters.
What Is an RV Yellow Sticker?
The RV yellow sticker, often referred to as a Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC) label or weight rating label, is a mandatory compliance label placed by the manufacturer on RVs and travel trailers. This notice lists key weight limits including gross vehicle and axle ratings, and the maximum weight of cargo you can safely add. On many units, it’s visually prominent because it uses a bright yellow background to catch your eye.
These stickers are required by safety standards and are designed to be easily visible to owners and inspectors, typically affixed at entry points such as door jambs or inside cabinets.
Why Is It Yellow?
The yellow background isn’t random: it’s used to stand out against the RV interior or exterior surfaces so you can quickly find critical weight information. Unlike other labels like VIN plates, which are metal or white, the yellow coloring signals that the information relates specifically to weight limits and cargo capacity.
How It Differs from VIN Plates or Tire Stickers
VIN Plate: Shows your vehicle identification number and basic manufacturing data. It’s not designed to explain loading limits.
Tire Sticker (Tire and Loading Info): Often found on the driver door jam of tow vehicles, it gives payload and tire pressure information (more common on trucks and SUVs).
RV Yellow Sticker: Specifically lists the cargo carrying capacity, GVWR, GAWR and other related weight limits for the RV or trailer itself.
How to Read an RV Yellow Sticker Step by Step
Step 1 – Locate the Sticker
Before you can interpret the numbers, you first need to find the yellow sticker.
Common locations include:
On or inside the main entry door jamb
On the side wall of the trailer near the front
Inside a cabinet near the RV’s kitchen
If you cannot find it immediately:
Check inside closets or drawers
Look near service panels or by the roadside lower corner of the unit
Quick Tip: Search carefully — sometimes decals or dirt can obscure the sticker.
Step 2 – Understand GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
The GVWR is one of the most famous items you’ll see on a yellow sticker — and one of the most important.
Definition:
GVWR stands for Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. It’s the maximum total weight your RV can weigh when fully loaded — including passengers, gear, water, propane, and the vehicle itself. Exceeding this can compromise safety and handling.
Why You Shouldn’t Exceed It
If you exceed the GVWR, your RV will be overloaded. Overloading increases stress on tires, axles, brakes, and suspension, and it can void warranties or even lead to insurance claim denials after an accident. Staying inside GVWR isn’t optional — it’s a critical safety practice.
Case Example:
An RV with a GVWR of 7,250 lbs must never weigh more than that even if you haven’t filled it entirely. Many RV owners plan packs around this number before departure.
Step 3 – Understand GAWR (Front & Rear Axle Ratings)
The yellow sticker also notes one or more GAWR values — Gross Axle Weight Ratings.
GAWR Front: Maximum load the front axle can support
GAWR Rear: Maximum load the rear axle can support
Even if your total loaded RV is below GVWR, it’s possible for one axle to exceed its rated capacity, especially if heavy items are loaded toward one end. This is a common mistake RVers make.
Important: The sum of the GAWRs doesn’t equate to GVWR. Each axle has its own limit.
Step 4 – Payload Capacity Explained
Payload capacity is your actual usable weight allowance — the difference between your RV’s unloaded weight and GVWR. It tells you how much gear, water, people, and extras you can safely add.
Here’s a useful table:
| Item | Counts Toward Payload? |
|---|---|
| Passengers | Yes |
| Fresh water | Yes |
| Propane | Yes |
| Personal gear | Yes |
That means every gallon of water, bag of gear, and person counts against your payload limit. Planning based only on dry weights can easily lead to overloading — a major trend in queries where RVers ask why their rig feels heavy even when seemingly light.
Key Terms on an RV Yellow Sticker (Glossary)
Understanding these terms makes it easier to interpret what you see on the sticker:
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): Maximum loaded weight the RV can legally and safely weigh.
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating): Maximum load capacity for each axle on the RV.
UVW (Unloaded Vehicle Weight): The RV’s weight as built, without cargo or passengers.
Payload Capacity: Maximum weight of cargo and passengers your RV can safely carry.
Tongue Weight: Weight exerted down on the hitch when towing a trailer (important for towing safety).
RV Yellow Sticker vs Actual Loaded Weight
Many RV owners wonder: Why isn’t the sticker weight the same as the loaded weight I see on my scale?
Why Listed vs Real Weight Can Differ
The yellow sticker shows limits and ratings as built from the factory.
After modifications or loading personal items, actual weight can vary.
Over time, additions (solar panels, bikes, generators) can reduce your usable payload below what’s printed.
Real‑World Example:
You might have a CCC of 1,600 lbs, but your rear axle could be overloaded long before you reach that figure because you’ve packed 1,000 lbs behind the rear wheels. Always weigh your rig fully loaded to be certain.
How RV Yellow Sticker Affects Towing Safety
When towing, it’s not just about the RV’s GVWR — how that weight interacts with your tow vehicle matters.
Tongue Weight and Payload
Tongue weight (or king pin weight for fifth wheels) effectively eats into the payload capacity of your tow vehicle. If your tow vehicle doesn’t have sufficient payload capacity, you can exceed its sticker limits even when your trailer is within GVWR.
Top Newbie Mistakes
Assuming GVWR equals towing capacity — Wrong; engines and transmissions have separate ratings.
Ignoring tongue weight impact on payload — Dangerous, leads to poor steering and braking.
Not checking axle loads separately — You may comply with GVWR but overload one axle.
Common Mistakes When Reading an RV Yellow Sticker
Even seasoned RVers misinterpret weight stickers:
Only looking at GVWR and ignoring GAWRs
Assuming there’s extra capacity left when sticker shows space
Failing to account for weight of water, gear or propane before departure
These mistakes consistently surface in queries from RV communities, showing how widespread misunderstanding still is.
Is It Illegal to Exceed RV Yellow Sticker Limits?
In the U.S., exceeding RV weight ratings isn’t just unsafe — it can carry legal and financial consequences:
Safety Risk: Overloaded vehicles are harder to stop and control.
Insurance & Warranty: Claims may be denied if loading limits were exceeded.
Traffic Violations: Some states enforce weight limits through roadside scales.
Manufacturers set GVWR and GAWR limits based on engineering safety margins — these are hard limits, not guidelines.
Quick Checklist Before You Load Your RV
Before pulling out of the driveway, use this checklist:
☐ Check GVWR
☐ Verify GAWRs (front & rear)
☐ Calculate payload used by passengers & gear
☐ Confirm enough payload remains for safe travel
FAQ
Q1: Where is the RV yellow sticker located?
A1: Typically on the entry door jamb, exterior front driver side, or inside cabinets — designed to be easy to find.
Q2: Does payload include passengers?
A2: Yes, passengers, water, gear, and propane all count toward payload.
Q3: Can I exceed GVWR if GAWR is okay?
A3: No — GVWR is the total weight limit irrespective of individual axle loads.
Q4: Is the yellow sticker the same for all RVs?
A4: Not always; placement and format may vary, but all must include GVWR, GAWR, and payload info.
Summary – How to Use the RV Yellow Sticker Correctly
Knowing how to read an RV yellow sticker empowers you to pack safely, avoid costly errors, and enhance driving confidence. Always treat the sticker values as limits, not goals you can stretch. Understand GVWR, GAWR, and payload thoroughly, and you’ll enjoy your travels with peace of mind.
