Whether you’re hauling a trailer to the campground or towing your boat to the lake, you need to know how much your vehicle can safely tow. This knowledge will make your towing experience safer and more enjoyable.
Knowing the towing lingo will help you avoid costly mistakes that can lead to expensive repairs or dangerous accidents. Call Western Towing for trusted advice.
Most truck adverts display various towing numbers across their screens, but these figures often don’t mean what drivers think. Towing capacity & payload capacities are two different things, so understanding the differences between them is important to make smart buying decisions.
A vehicle’s payload is the weight it can carry inside its cabin & truck bed, including passengers. It is different from the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), which refers to the maximum amount of weight that a vehicle can safely carry on its axles, taking into account its strength, suspension & other components.
Towing capacity is the weight that a vehicle can pull behind it on a trailer, including the total weight of the trailer itself plus its cargo. It is also sometimes referred to as the Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) or Tongue Weight. A vehicle’s towing capacity is based on the maximum capacity of its hitch class, although upgrading to a higher hitch class can increase a vehicle’s towing capacity.
It is possible to exceed a vehicle’s payload & towing capacities, but doing so can put strain on the vehicle & reduce its handling & safety capabilities. The extra weight extends braking distances, limits acceleration, increases fuel consumption & puts additional stress on the engine & other components.
Using a vehicle above its recommended payload limit can also reduce its value at resale. It can also void warranties, so it’s best to stay within the manufacturers’ recommended limits.
There are many ways to increase a vehicle’s payload, such as adding heavier-duty tires, reinforcing the frame & lowering the center of gravity. It is also advisable to use a lighter-weight trailer & a properly rated hitch. A professional can help you determine the right configurations & accessories for your truck. He or she can also install a towing package that includes better cooling systems, gearbox coolers & stronger suspension. This helps to protect your investment & ensures that you are safe & legal when driving over the payload & towing capacity limits.
Towing Capacity
The towing capacity of a tow vehicle is the maximum amount of weight it can safely carry behind a trailer. This number is based on the total gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of the tow truck and the loaded trailer, including any cargo or passengers. However, it’s not a hard and fast rule that will apply in every situation. It’s important to do your own calculations based on the specifics of your situation and towing setup. Doing so can prevent your towing vehicle from becoming damaged or causing accidents, and it can also help you avoid expensive mistakes.
If you’re buying a new car or truck, it should come with a chart that lists its maximum towing capacity. This is typically located on the driver’s door or on a placard in the glove box. You can also find this information on the manufacturer’s website if you’re unable to locate it in your vehicle manual. To calculate a vehicle’s towing capacity, first find its GCVWR by looking at the rating on the vehicle’s placard or online. Then subtract its curb weight to get its payload capacity. Cargo capacity is different than towing capacity, so it’s best not to confuse the two.
This is the amount of weight that can be added to a vehicle without exceeding its GCVWR. It typically includes all of the weight of a vehicle’s passengers and cargo, but excludes any fluids like oil, coolant and fuel. It’s the number you’ll want to use if you’re planning on adding a camper or other type of trailer.
Braked towing capacity is the maximum amount of weight that a tow vehicle can safely pull with its own brakes engaged. This number is often less than its payload capacity, and it’s the number you’ll want to consider if you plan on using a trailer with its own braking system. It’s vital to understand and adhere to these limits for the safety of yourself, your passengers and others on the road. Exceeding them can cause unnecessary wear on your truck and trailer, and it could even lead to mechanical failures or accidents.
Dead Weight
The dead weight of a towing vehicle refers to the maximum amount of weight that a vehicle can safely tow. The term is used in contrast to the towed weight, which includes both the load on the trailer and passengers inside the towing vehicle. This distinction is important because exceeding the dead weight limit can lead to damage to the towing vehicle and traffic accidents.
The term dead weight is also used figuratively to describe heavy burdens and responsibilities. For example, a large house may be considered a dead weight, especially if it’s not occupied. Similarly, someone who is not working or contributing to society may be considered a dead weight. The term dead weight can also be applied to a business or a company that does not generate profits or provide jobs.
A towing vehicle is a heavy-duty truck that is equipped with a boom and sling for towing vehicles, motorcycles, and other loads. These vehicles come in many different configurations, including flatbed trucks that offer a wheel lift or a combination boom with a sling. They are primarily medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, with some units built on light-duty chassis. Some are equipped with a bypass system that is designed to isolate the wiring of the trailer from the towing vehicle’s lighting harness.
When loading a tow vehicle, it is important to determine the dead weight of the vehicle and the total loaded weight of the trailer. This information can be found in the vehicle’s owner’s manual or on its door jamb. Once this information is known, the towing capacity of the vehicle can be calculated.
Generally, the towing capacity of a vehicle will be higher than its dead weight rating. The difference between the two values can be explained by a basic principle: The force of the added trailer weight is localized on the towing vehicle’s rear axle. If this force exceeds the vehicle’s dead weight rating, it may cause the front of the trailer to leave the ground, which can be dangerous for both drivers and other motorists. Also, it can damage the towing vehicle’s drivetrain and other components.
Towed Weight
The total load of your trailer, including its cargo and the weight of the towing unit itself, should not exceed your towing vehicle’s gross combined weight rating (GCWR). It’s important to understand this limit because a combination that is too heavy can damage both the towing unit and the trailer. It’s also not safe to drive a vehicle with more weight than it’s rated for because the driver can lose control of the vehicle or be unable to stop the vehicle within a required distance.
Review your towing vehicle’s owner’s manual or the manufacturer’s online tools to determine its tow rating and GCWR. These figures are located on a sticker on the driver’s door and can include other information, such as tire sizes and inflation numbers.
The towing capacity will be listed under the “Gross Vehicle Weight Rating” section. You will also see a GAWR, which refers to the maximum amount of weight an axle can support. If your vehicle has tandem axles, each of the two rear axles will have its own GAWR. You can calculate the trailer’s axle weight by subtracting the vehicle’s dry weight from its GVWR.
Then you will add your towing vehicle’s weight, passengers and any cargo loaded in the cabin and bed. Don’t forget to add in the trailer’s tongue weight, which is the downward pressure on your tow vehicle’s hitch. This can be measured at any certified scale by driving your towing vehicle onto the scale and disconnecting it from the trailer. You will then get a ticket that lists the tow vehicle’s and trailer’s weight. To ensure that the load is positioned properly on your tow vehicle, you can also weigh the towing vehicle and trailer with the truck hooked up. This will tell you the vehicle and trailer’s overall weight. You should be able to find the statement, “The combined weight of the driver and passengers should never exceed XXX kg or lbs,” on the vehicle’s placard. This number equals your towing vehicle’s maximum load. You should also locate your trailer’s GCWR on its owner’s manual or VIN tag.
