Truck Accidents Glossary: G

GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating): Maximum weight an axle is rated to carry by the manufacturer. Includes both the weight of the axle and the portion of a vehicle's weight carried by the axle.

GCW (Gross Combination Weight): Total weight of a loaded combination vehicle, such as a tractor-semitrailer or truck and full trailer(s).

Geared Speed: Calculated vehicle speed at the engine's governed rpm in each transmission gear, or (commonly) in top gear.

Gear Ratio: Number, usually expressed as a decimal fraction, representing how many turns of the input shaft cause exactly one revolution of the output shaft. Applies to transmissions, power takeoffs, power dividers and rear axles. Example: If 2.5 revolutions of an input shaft cause one revolution of the output shaft, the gear ratio is 2.5:1.

Grade: Steepness of a grade, expressed as a percentage. Example: A vehicle climbing a 5% grade rises 5 feet for every 100 feet of forward travel.

Gradeability: Vehicle's ability to climb a grade at a given speed. Example: A truck with a gradeability of 5% at 60 mph can maintain 60 mph on a grade with a rise of 5%.

GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight): Total weight of a vehicle and everything aboard, including its load.

GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): Total weight a vehicle is rated to carry by the manufacturer, including its own weight and the weight of its load.