Glossary of Truck Accidents Terms
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- 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.
