Dry Weight
The weight of an RV empty — no water, propane, cargo, or passengers. The number that appears in marketing brochures.
Also called: dry weight, unloaded vehicle weight, UVW, empty weight
Dry weight is the weight of an RV with no water, no propane, no cargo, and no passengers. It’s the number the manufacturer features in marketing materials because it’s the smallest weight number that can be honestly attached to the rig.
For renters, dry weight matters less than GVWR (the maximum legal loaded weight). The useful number is the difference between dry weight and GVWR — that’s your cargo budget.
The dry weight blind spot
A typical Class C example:
- Dry weight (marketing brochure): 13,500 lb
- Fresh water (60-gal tank): 500 lb
- Propane (14-gal tank): 60 lb
- Two passengers + bedding + clothes: 600 lb
- Food, drinks, kitchen kit: 200 lb
- Outdoor gear, chairs, awning kit: 200 lb
- Actual loaded weight: 15,060 lb
The 1,560 lb of “stuff” that gets added between dry weight and actually driving away is real and consistent across rentals. Plan for it.
What “wet weight” means
Wet weight is dry weight plus full water and propane tanks. It’s a more useful number for understanding the rig but is rarely the number marketed. Subtract wet weight from GVWR to get your true cargo budget for passengers and gear.