Using a towing capacity calculator helps you figure out how much weight your vehicle can safely tow.
This tool uses the specifications of your vehicle to give you accurate towing data.
Calculated Towing Capacity
Maximum Trailer Weight: This number is the highest weight your trailer can be. It is based on your vehicle’s specs and other factors like cargo and passengers.
Normal Trailer Tongue Load (10%): This is the weight placed on the hitch by the trailer. For conventional trailers, it is recommended to be 10% of the trailer’s total weight.
Fifth-Wheel Tongue Load (15%): For fifth-wheel trailers, the weight on the hitch should be around 15% of the trailer’s total weight. This helps in balancing and safe towing.
What is Towing Capacity and Why is it Important?
Towing Capacity is the highest amount of weight your vehicle can safely haul, including the trailer and its contents. Calculating this involves several factors:
- Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW): The total weight of your vehicle when fully loaded with passengers and cargo.
- SAE J2807: An industry standard ensuring accurate and consistent towing capacity ratings.
- Steps to Calculate: Use a towing calculator, input vehicle specs, and ensure the total does not exceed your vehicle’s limits.
Understanding towing capacity helps prevent accidents, vehicle damage, and other issues.
How to Use Our Towing Capacity Calculator to Estimate Your Truck Towing Capacity
Step 1: Enter the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)
Start by inputting the total maximum weight of both your towing vehicle and any trailer or load you plan to tow. This number is usually provided by your vehicle manufacturer.
Step 2: Enter Curb Weight
Next, enter the weight of your vehicle when it’s empty. This should exclude passengers and cargo but include all necessary fluids like fuel and oil.
Step 3: Enter Cargo Weight
Add the weight of all the items you plan to carry inside your vehicle, apart from the trailer. This includes luggage, tools, and any other belongings.
Step 4: Enter the Weight of All Passengers
Enter the weight of your passengers. If you’re not sure, you can estimate an average of 150 pounds per passenger. So for example, if you have a driver and two passengers, you’d have 150×3, or 450 lbs for passenger weight in this field.
Step 5: Enter the Weight of Any Additions or Modifications
If your vehicle has aftermarket parts like roof racks, light bars, toppers, etc., be sure to include their combined weight.
Result 1: Max Towing Capacity or Max Trailer Weight
With all the inputs given, the calculator will provide your vehicle’s maximum towing capacity or the heaviest trailer your vehicle can safely pull.
Results 2 and 3: Max Tongue Load (10% or 15%)
Based on your towing capacity, the recommended tongue weight will be displayed here. This is the weight that the trailer’s hitch puts on your vehicle and can be 10% or 15% of the trailer’s weight depending on the type of trailer you’re pulling.
Step 8: Analyze the Results
Finally, review the results to ensure you comply with these limits. This will keep your towing experience safe and maintain the performance and integrity of your vehicle.
Key Metrics to Understand When You Calculate Towing Capacity
Combined Weight Limit (GCWR)
The Combined Weight Limit (also known as the Gross Combined Weight Rating) is set by the manufacturer and represents the maximum weight your vehicle and its trailer can handle together. This includes everything: your vehicle, the trailer, passengers, cargo, and any additional equipment. It’s crucial to stay within this limit to prevent strain on your vehicle and ensure safe driving conditions.
Max Weight a Vehicle Can Carry (GVWR)
The Max Weight a Vehicle Can Carry (also known as the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) is the total weight your vehicle can handle, including the vehicle’s own weight, passengers, and cargo. This number is found on the Safety Compliance Certification Label of your vehicle. Overloading beyond this weight can reduce vehicle control and wear out brakes and other components faster.
Vehicle’s Weight Without Load (Curb Weight)
Your vehicle’s curb weight is the weight of your vehicle with all standard equipment and a full tank of fuel but without passengers or cargo. This is your vehicle’s weight under normal conditions. Knowing this helps you figure out how much extra weight you can add without exceeding your vehicle’s carrying capacity.
Load Weight (Cargo Weight)
Load weight is all the items you put inside the vehicle, excluding passengers. This includes luggage, tools, and any other gear. It’s important to know this weight to ensure you don’t overload your vehicle, which could impact its handling, braking, and fuel efficiency.
How Much You Can Carry (Payload Capacity)
Payload capacity is the maximum weight your vehicle can safely carry, minus its curb weight. This includes passengers and cargo. For example, if your vehicle has a GVWR of 9,000 pounds and a curb weight of 6,000 pounds, it can carry an additional 3,000 pounds. Understanding this helps you stay within safe weight limits.
Number of People Onboard (Number of Passengers)
The number of people in the vehicle also affects its total weight. Each passenger is usually estimated to weigh around 150 pounds. This weight must be factored into your calculations to ensure you don’t exceed the vehicle’s limits and compromise safety.
Extra Additions (Weight of Body Additions)
Any extra additions to your vehicle, like custom wheels, light bars, or racks, add to its total weight. These need to be considered when calculating your overall weight limits to maintain vehicle performance and adhere to safety guidelines.
Maximum Trailer Weight (Max. Towing Capacity or Max. Trailer Weight)
This is the highest weight your vehicle can tow safely. It includes the total weight of the trailer and its cargo. Exceeding this capacity can lead to serious mechanical issues and decrease driving safety.
Maximum Tongue Load (10% & 15%)
The weight that the trailer exerts on the vehicle’s hitch is known as the tongue load. For regular trailers, this is usually 10% of the total loaded trailer weight. For 5th-wheel trailers, it’s about 15%. For instance, if your trailer weighs 8,000 pounds, the tongue load should not exceed 800 pounds with a conventional hitch for optimal stability and safety.
Axle Weight Limit (GAWR)
Each axle on your vehicle has a maximum weight it can handle, known as the Gross Axle Weight Rating, or GAWR. This is crucial for maintaining the safety and integrity of your vehicle, as overloading an axle can lead to wear and even failure. Ensuring proper weight distribution across axles helps in maintaining balance and performance.
Why Do You Need A Towing Calculator?
Relying only on manufacturer guidelines or general advice is not enough for safe towing. Towing involves several factors, and real-life conditions often vary from those assumed in manufacturer ratings.
A good towing calculator helps you figure out how much weight your vehicle can safely tow based on your specific needs.
Whether you’re hauling a boat for a weekend trip or towing a utility trailer for work, these tools are invaluable. They ensure safe towing, better fuel efficiency, and protect both your vehicle and cargo.
Advantages of Using Our Towing Capacity Calculator
Our towing calculator is both simple and user-friendly. Enter your details, and you’ll get accurate results in seconds.
Accuracy is vital. Our tow capacity calculator uses industry standards and testing to make sure your vehicle and load remain safe.
Note that the accuracy of the calculator results are only as good as the data you put in! Make sure the entries in this calculator are accurate to the best of your ability, and always check your owner’s manual for manufacturer specifications.
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If you’d like an in-depth guide for your specific vehicle, be sure to check out our guides below:
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