When it comes to towing, knowing what your truck can handle is incredibly important. You don’t want to be in a situation where you’re trying to tow too much and the vehicle starts to struggle or worse, breaks down.
It’s essential that you know how much weight your truck can safely pull before you make any decisions. Calculating what your truck can tow isn’t overly complicated but it does take some research and understanding of the various components that make up your vehicle’s capacity for towing.
Towing Capacity
Every vehicle has a specific capacity for how much weight it can safely tow. This is indicated as a number on the manufacturer’s label which should be located somewhere on the inside of the driver’s door. This number is known as the “towing capacity,” and it indicates how much weight your vehicle can safely pull without any potential damage or danger.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is another important factor in determining what your truck can tow. The GVWR indicates the maximum amount of weight that your truck can handle when loaded with passengers, cargo, and any other items you might have on board.
This number should also be indicated on the manufacturer’s label inside your door.
Calculating Towing Capacity
Once you have both numbers – GVWR and Towing Capacity – you are ready to calculate what your truck can tow safely. Simply subtract GVWR from Towing Capacity to get an understanding of how much weight your vehicle will be able to pull safely without damage or danger.
Conclusion
Calculating what your truck can tow isn’t overly complex but it’s an important step in ensuring that you’re not overloading your vehicle with too much weight. Once you know the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and Towing Capacity for your particular model, simply subtracting one from the other will give you an indication of how much weight your truck can safely pull without any potential damage or danger.
