Your Comprehensive Towing Capacity Guide for Safe Towing

Here’s a fact! You cannot safely tow a car, trailer, RV, or any vehicle if you do not understand towing capacity and why it is so essential to know what it is before you tow anything.

Basically towing capacity refers to the maximum amount of weight that any vehicle can safely tow (which is determined by the manufacturer of the vehicle). This towing capacity takes into account the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), the Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR), and more.

To ensure a secure towing experience, it’s imperative that you understand the maximum weight your vehicle can tow so that you and the people around you are safe on the road. The manufacturer’s guide to your vehicle is where you will find all details on towing capacity and you have to follow it thoroughly to avoid any potential mishap.

In this article, we will understand towing capacity in detail. What is it, what factors affect towing capacity, a general view on vehicle types and their towing capacities, and more.

Table of contents:

• What is Towing Capacity?
• Key Factors that Affect Towing Capacity
• Vehicle Specifications That Impact Towing Capacity
• Vehicle Types and Their Towing Capacities
• How to Calculate Towing Capacity?
• Towing Equipment and Accessories
• Legal Rules and Regulations for Towing
• Safety Tips for Towing

What is Towing Capacity?

The maximum weight that your car or vehicle can safely tow is called towing capacity. This also includes the weight of the vehicle you are towing as well as the load on the towed vehicle. It is extremely paramount to never ever exceed the towing capacity limit because failure to do so can lead to damage to the vehicles and in turn accidents that could be very dangerous for you and the people around on the road.

Key Factors that Affect Towing Capacity

There are various factors that affect towing capacity for a safe towing experience and some of them include the following.

Engine Size and Power:

The engine size and power is a crucial factor that majorly affects towing capacity. Those engines that have very high horsepower and torque ratings are said to handle extremely heavy loads with ease. This is particularly true for diesel engines. The higher torque of diesel engines at lower RPMs contributes greatly to ensuring a much better towing performance.

Transmission Type:

The transmission type also contributes greatly to an effective towing experience. An automatic transmission is much more preferred for towing because it is way easier to use and is also quite better equipped to handle shifting under load efficiently. Additionally, if your vehicle has transmission coolers, then they can manage the extra heat way better.

Chassis Strength:

The chassis strength of your vehicle also affects towing capacity. Basically, the frame of your vehicle has to be super strong and sturdy so that it can be capable of handling much heavier loads with ease. If the chassis of your vehicle isn’t as sturdy as it should be, then supporting heavier loads isn’t possible.

Axle Ratio:

The higher the axle ratio, the better the towing capacity. This is because a high axle ratio ensures more torque to the wheels of a vehicle, thereby, making it way easier to carry or pull heavier loads.

Braking System:

A vital factor that affects towing capacity is the braking system. Larger and more robust braking systems ensure a safe and secure stoppage. Besides, brake controllers are extremely paramount for trailers or heavy-duty vehicles to have along with their braking system. This helps to sync both the brakes of the towing vehicle and the vehicle being towed.

Tire Ratings and Condition:

To be able to handle or pull the weight of a towing vehicle, it is extremely important that the tires are rated to do so. Besides, the tire pressure has to be correct to tow any vehicle safely.

Weight Distribution:

Another crucial factor impacting towing capacity is weight distribution. You will need weight distribution hitches to ensure that the weight across the vehicle being towed and the towing vehicle’s axles is even. This ensures that there’s balance between both which in turn assures increased stability and control.

Besides the above-mentioned, you also have the aerodynamics of both vehicles, the driver’s skills and experience, etc., that greatly affect towing.

Vehicle Specifications That Impact Towing Capacity

This towing capacity takes into account various vehicle specifications. Let’s understand what do we mean by some of these below.

1. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR):

A crucial vehicle specification that needs to be taken into account is the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or the GVWR. To simply put it, GVWR is the maximum permitted weight of a vehicle for towing. This weight is inclusive of all – cargo, commuters or any other package or equipment.

2. Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR):

Gross Combination Weight Rating or GCWR is basically the permitted weight of both the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle or trailer together.

3. Gross Trailer Weight (GTW):

Gross Trailer Weight or GTW is precisely is the weight of the towed vehicle or trailer and the cargo on it.

4. Tongue Weight:

Tongue weight is basically the force that the trailer applies downward onto the hitch, which is most often around, let’s say, 10-15% of the GTW. The tongue weight is essential to be taken into account for better control and stability when towing.

Vehicle Types and Their Towing Capacities

Technically towing capacities are specified in the manufacturer manuals or guides but here’s giving you a general overview of vehicle types and what their towing capacities could possibly be.

How to Calculate Towing Capacity?

Let’s see where can you get the towing capacity of your vehicle and how to go about calculating it.

• Manufacturer Manual or Website

The manufacturer manual or guide or the website should basically be your go-to. This is the safest and easiest way to understand or know the towing capacity of your vehicle. In the owner manual or website, you will find all the specifications mentioned for your towing needs. If at all you are confused, reach out to professionals to help you.

• Calculating Your Vehicle’s Towing Capacity

i. You have to first find the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or the GVWR of your vehicle. This is basically the maximum allowable weight for towing that is usually found in the owner manual.

ii. Then you need to calculate the Gross Combined Weight Rating or the GCWR. This is basically the weight of both the towing vehicle as well as the towed vehicle inclusive of cargo and passenger weights.

iii. Now you need the curb weight of your vehicle. This is the weight of your tow vehicle or car after it has been filled with gas and all the other fluids that it needs to function.

iv. Once you have your GCWR and your curb weight, you need to subtract the curb weight from the gross combined weight rating or GCWR and that gives you your vehicle’s towing capacity.

It is important to note that you should never exceed your vehicle’s towing capacity for safety reasons. There is an 80/20 rule that you can follow but it is obviously not always fail-proof. This basically means that your trailer’s or towed vehicle’s GVWR shouldn’t be more than 80% and then you are left with 20% capacity that will include other weights such as cargo, passengers, etc.

Sometimes even if you are within or under 80% capacity, there are chances that there could be more weight in some area, maybe the axle or wheel. Having said that, it is advisable to never overload and be cautious to avoid any potential mishaps.

Towing Equipment and Accessories

Towing any vehicle is not possible without the proper equipment at hand. Let’s take a look at some towing equipment that you would require for your towing needs.

Trailer Hitch:

A trailer hitch is one of the most crucial equipment to have if you need to tow a vehicle. The purpose of a trailer hitch is to connect or fasten a trailer and the towing vehicle together. There are various types of trailer hitches available on the market today and the main types include a receiver hitch, a gooseneck trailer hitch, and a fifth-wheel hitch. The receiver hitch which is most commonly used globally is a standardized hitch, the gooseneck hitch is basically a truck bed hitch and is mostly used for towing heavier loads, and the fifth-wheel hitch is one that attaches to the kingpin of fifth-wheel trailers and is mostly used with RVs.

Car Tow Dolly:

Another essential equipment to have is a car tow dolly which is just what you would need to tow smaller vehicles. The purpose of a car tow dolly specifically is to lift the front wheels of a vehicle or a car while the back wheels still remain on the ground.

Weight Distribution Hitches:

Weight distribution hitches are super handy towing equipment. The purpose of these hitches is simple. They have to help in equally distributing the trailer's tongue weight across the axles of the towing vehicle. By doing so, the rear suspension of the towing vehicle undergoes less strain.

Sway Control Devices:

Swaying is bound to happen when you are towing a vehicle. This swaying is likely to happen due to the weather or maybe even heavy load, but there are ways to prevent it from happening. For this, you can use sway control devices that help stabilize and control the towing vehicle or trailer.

Brake Controllers:

To control the braking system of trailers, you undoubtedly need brake controllers. These brake controllers help with syncing the brakes of the towing vehicle with the brakes of the trailer or the towed vehicle.

Backup Camera:

A backup camera is a crucial accessory to have for your towing needs. Backup cameras basically help you with getting a proper view of the back section of the vehicle, which makes it super easy to see and move the trailer around.

Portable Jump Starters:

Portable jump starters are your go-to in times of battery failure.

Towing GPS Systems:

GPS systems for towing are extremely helpful for a positive and stress-free towing experience. By using these GPS systems, you get better routes that are specifically for towing vehicles.

Legal Rules and Regulations for Towing

• Every state has different towing rules and regulations. This could include limitations on speed, and weight and also the kind of towing equipment that you would need. Therefore, make sure that you know and are aware of these rules and regulations before towing.

• There are states that also would need special licenses for towing heavier loads, so ensure that you are aware of what is needed. Probably contact the Department of Motor Vehicles (DVM) for details.

• Always ensure the combined weight of the towing vehicle and the towed vehicle is within the weight limit to avoid any hefty fines.

Safety Tips for Towing

• Have the correct and quality tools and towing equipment.

• Ensure that you are following the towing capacity of your vehicle and not overloading it.

• Make sure that your towing equipment such as trailer hitches, car tow dollies, etc. are securely fastened to your towing vehicle.

• Have the much-needed towing accessories such as brake controllers, backup cameras, sway control devices, etc., for a safe towing experience.

• Before you start your towing journey make sure that you have checked everything well – the tire pressure, the lights, the brakes, the hitch, etc.

• Drive cautiously and at a safe speed. Always take into account the weather conditions when towing.

• Always carry a first-aid kit.

Understanding and following the towing capacity is extremely essential for safe and secure towing. Exceeding the towing capacity or overloading can be very dangerous not just for you but also for the people around you, therefore, ensure that you adhere to the capacity that your vehicle can tow. Besides, invest in good quality towing equipment and accessories, after all it is about a safe towing experience.