If you own a Chevrolet Silverado or GMC Sierra and tow trailers, you might see a “GCW Overweight” message appear in your gauge cluster. It’s easy to get worried, but don’t panic. Here’s everything you need to know.

General Motors Technical Service Bulletin No.: PIC6572
Published Date: September 13, 2024

Silver Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD towing a large Shockwave travel trailer on a desert road with mountains in the background.
A Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD showcases its towing capabilities with a large Shockwave travel trailer on a scenic desert road.

Understanding the GCW Overweight Indicator and Why This Bulletin Was Released

GM recently released a new TSB, PIC6572,  in response to drivers experiencing some confusion over the GCW alert. When the message appears, it can be mistaken for a warning that the vehicle is overloaded, creating unnecessary worry. GM issued the bulletin to clarify that the GCW alert is only an estimated weight warning based on driving data and is not an actual measure of the load. It’s simply a precaution, reminding drivers to double-check their vehicle’s weight if there’s any uncertainty.

Affected Models

This advisory applies to several Silverado and Sierra models equipped with a Gross Combined Weight (GCW) monitoring feature, which tracks the combined weight of the truck and trailer over time. Here’s a breakdown:

Understanding Silverado / Sierra GCW and Other Key Towing Terms

To tow safely and confidently, it helps to know some key terms related to towing weight:

Gross Combined Weight (GCW): GCW is the total weight of your truck plus the trailer and any cargo, passengers, or equipment inside both.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): GVWR is the maximum weight your truck can safely handle on its own, including all passengers and cargo, without a trailer attached.

Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR): This rating tells you the maximum weight each axle—front or rear—can carry. GAWR is important to prevent overloading either the front or rear of the vehicle, which can cause steering and suspension issues.

Gross Trailer Weight (GTW): GTW is the total weight of the loaded trailer, including any equipment or items it’s hauling.

Finding Your Silverado or Sierra’s Weight and Towing Information

Trailering information sticker on the driver’s door jamb of a Chevrolet Silverado, displaying weight and towing capacity details.
The trailering information sticker on this Chevrolet Silverado’s door jamb provides essential towing specifications, including GVWR, GCW, and axle weight ratings.

To help drivers know their limits, GM places a towing and weight sticker on the driver’s door jamb in all Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra models. This sticker includes specific numbers for your vehicle’s GVWR, GAWR, and maximum towing capacity based on your truck’s configuration. Checking this sticker is a quick and reliable way to confirm your weight limits before towing.

Why the GCW Overweight Alert Appears

The GCW alert is part of the GCW monitoring system, which continuously estimates the combined weight of the truck and trailer while driving. Once the system collects enough data to determine GCW, it triggers the alert if the estimated weight nears or exceeds the truck’s calculated limit.

The alert is intended as a reminder to check your weight at a certified scale if you think you might be close to the maximum. This precautionary feature is designed to help drivers stay aware of their load rather than definitively confirm that the vehicle is overloaded.

Steps to Take If You See the GCW Overweight Alert

If the GCW Overweight alert appears, here’s what you can do to verify and manage your load:

Double-Check at a Certified Scale: To get an accurate weight reading, visit a certified scale. You can use websites like COOP’s  or CAT Scale to locate scales nationwide, often available at truck stops.

Turn Off the GCW Alert (If Preferred): If you find the alert distracting, you can disable it in your truck’s trailer application settings.

Review the Owner’s Manual: For additional guidance on managing weight limits and settings, refer to the towing section of your owner’s manual.

For Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra drivers who tow, the GCW Overweight alert can be confusing, but it’s designed as a helpful reminder to check the vehicle and trailer’s combined weight. This feature, along with your truck’s weight and towing information on the driver’s door sticker, ensures safe towing by helping you stay within weight limits. If you’re new to towing or need more tips on understanding GCW, GVWR, and other towing terms, stay right here at GM-Trucks.com for in-depth articles, guides, and community support for everything you need to know about towing with your Silverado or Sierra.