Millions of people rely on towing services, whether stuck with a dead battery or run out of fuel. It’s important to know your vehicle’s gross weight rating (GVWR) and the towing capacity of your trailer.
The key to towing safely is knowing your truck’s capability and driving carefully. The added weight affects acceleration, braking, and maneuvering. Contact Azteca Towing now!
If you have ever towed a trailer or hauled some bottom-heavy cargo in your truck, you probably know what dead weight is. However, what you may not realize is that there are actually two types of dead weight: towing weight and tongue weight. Understanding these terms will help you ensure that your vehicle and trailer are properly matched and that you don’t exceed the maximum towing capacity.
Dead weight is the intrinsic or base weight of a structure or vehicle without consideration for its occupants or cargo. It is usually expressed in tons and is not to be confused with vessel displacement (weight of water displaced) or volumetric measures such as gross register tonnage or net register tonnage.
In towing, dead weight is often used to refer to the maximum weight that a truck can haul with its trailer attached. This is generally stated on a towing rating label that will be located either in the driver’s door frame or in the owner’s manual of the vehicle doing the towing. The maximum towing rating is usually higher than the vehicle’s GVRW, but it will also include the trailer’s empty weight, as well as the weight of the hitch and any added accessories or equipment.
It is important to understand the difference between the rated towing weight and the vehicle’s actual curb weight. Many times the towing rating will be less than the vehicle’s actual weight since manufacturers account for things like airbags, electronics and other safety features that may not be present in a standard production model.
The best way to determine the true towing capacity of a particular vehicle and trailer is to take them both to be weighed at a truck scale with nothing in them. This is the only way to accurately measure both the GVRW of the truck and the GVWR of the trailer. If you don’t do this, you could be inadvertently overloading your towing capacity and putting yourself and others at risk on the road. A vehicle that is overloaded can easily have its front end leave the ground, a potentially dangerous situation to be in while driving down the highway.
Towed Weight
When determining your towing capacity, it is important to consider the UVW of your trailer as well as the GAWR of your vehicle. These are the actual rated weights of your truck or SUV as it is manufactured and does not include additional cargo, passengers or fluids.
The GVWR or gross vehicle weight rating of your car is what the manufacturer has determined it can safely handle with all of its equipment inside the cabin and bed, as well as any attached trailer. This number will be listed in the owner’s manual and will also appear on the vehicle’s door jamb on the driver’s side or on the company website.
Dry weight is the bare-bones figure of what your vehicle or trailer weighs without cargo, passengers and fluids like gasoline, oil and wiper fluid. It is used to calculate a vehicle’s payload capacity and is often the starting point for towing calculations.
As you load your trailer for a trip, it is important to evenly distribute the weight of the cargo and keep the center of gravity low. This will help prevent shifting of the trailer while in motion and can make for a smoother ride. It is also a good idea to add your largest items first, tying them down with rope or bungee cords. This way, the smaller, lighter items can move up to fill in the empty space and help balance the trailer while in motion.
Using a towing capacity calculator and adhering to the manufacturer’s maximum towing limit is not only safe, but it can help ensure that your truck or SUV will perform at its best for years to come. Exceeding these limits can cause damage that is not covered by your warranty.
It’s essential to understand the terminology and acronyms involved in evaluating your towing capability so you can choose a trailer and tow vehicle that will work for your hauling needs. A trailer that is too heavy for your towing vehicle can negatively impact handling and braking and may result in damage that is not covered by your warranty.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
GVWR is a term that refers to the maximum weight a vehicle can carry, which includes fuel, passengers and cargo. This number is set by the vehicle manufacturer and can be found on a label inside the vehicle, or included in its owner’s manual. It is important for fleet managers and drivers to know a vehicle’s GVWR to ensure they do not overload it. Overloading a truck can cause damage and result in costly repairs. In addition, it can lead to poor performance and increased wear on the suspension, tires and other parts of the vehicle.
For example, if a vehicle is driven past its GVWR, it can cause the front or rear suspension to break down, leading to expensive repairs and loss of efficiency. In some cases, exceeding a vehicle’s GVWR can also be illegal, which could result in hefty fines or even vehicle confiscation.
In order to find a vehicle’s GVWR, it is important to look for a label on the inside of its door frame or review its owner’s manual. Usually, the GVWR will be listed along with a warning message that informs drivers of the maximum amount of weight the vehicle can safely carry.
Another key term to understand is payload capacity, which refers to the maximum amount of additional weight that can be added to a vehicle’s curb weight. The curb weight is the base weight of a vehicle, which includes its standard equipment, a full tank of gas and other essentials. The curb weight does not include any optional or extra equipment, passengers or cargo.
It is important for fleet managers to understand the differences between GVWR and towing capacity, as they are not the same thing. GVWR is a static number that defines the max weight of a vehicle, while towing capacity is how much a trailer can be pulled behind a truck. It is important to consider both of these when selecting the right vehicle for a job, as they have different specifications designed to maximize safety and minimize road damage. Towing capacity can be calculated by subtracting a truck’s GVWR from its curb weight.
Trailer Hitches
The trailer hitch is a crucial component of the towing system, allowing the trailer to connect to your vehicle. There are several different types of trailer hitches, each rated for specific towing capacities and applications. Choosing the right hitch and components for your trailer can make your towing experience safer, more efficient, and less stressful.
A receiver hitch is the type of hitch most commonly found on cars, trucks, SUVs, and some vans. It has a receiver tube that accepts a trailer ball, and a shank that extends below the vehicle bumper to provide a mounting point for a trailer coupler. A ball mount is another common trailer hitch accessory, and it is available in a variety of sizes to match the trailer and vehicle.
Other trailer hitch accessories include a hitch lock, which is like a hitch pin but features a key-operated locking mechanism to prevent theft. A sway control hitch is also a useful device for those who frequently tow a trailer, as it reduces the side-to-side movement of the trailer, making for smoother driving and better towing.
When choosing a trailer hitch, it’s important to consider the gross weight rating (GWR) of the trailer and the towing capacity of your vehicle. Also, always check the tongue weight (TW) and WD rating of your trailer, as well as its safety chains and jack.
It is important to remember that the GWR of your trailer and the class of the hitch are limited by the lowest rated component. Therefore, selecting a hitch with higher ratings than the vehicle’s towing capability could damage the vehicle or trailer and cause unsafe driving conditions.
It’s always wise to have a trailer in good condition before hauling heavy loads. Prior to coupling your trailer, thoroughly inspect the hitch system and remove any rust or corrosion. Additionally, before using your trailer, wipe down the coupler and thoroughly clean all of the surfaces. Rock the ball to ensure it’s snug, and feel for worn spots or pits. It’s also important to have a balanced load front/back and side/side. This will minimize the amount of downward force on the trailer tongue and reduce the risk of damage to the coupler, towing vehicle, or cargo.