Towing

Are you thinking about going on the open road with a caravan, trailer or other device hitched behind your car or truck? First make sure you know what you can tow. Use this Towing guide to learn more about the various problems to protect your vehicle and stay healthy.

Towing Guide Rule # 1: Use the correct vehicle for towing.

Find out about the tow capacity of your vehicle and make sure it is safe enough for towing. Check the weight of the trailer being towed and then add the weight of the items you're towing. To be on the safe side, add an additional 10 to 15%. This overall figure your gross trailer weight (GTW). Make sure that your vehicle can prove that GTW.

Learn the language of the hook towing.

Other than GTW, there are some additional conditions to know for safe problem towing:

  • Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is the weight of a vehicle, including passengers and cargo;
  • Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the maximum allowable weight of the trailer and its contents as well as the tow vehicle and its contents. This number is the key, too much weight, the risk of an accident or damage to the vehicle; and
  • Tongue Weight (TW) is the sum of your weight presses on the trailer towing problem. Please refer to the instruction manual.

Cars tend to have lower valuation than tow truck, light truck with less than serious models. Vehicle manufacturers pulling in the evaluation of their owners' manuals, if you are not sure your vehicle is pulling your rating or law towing the right choice for your problem towing GTW.

The three most common types of problems:

  • A weight-carrying towing Hitch - for up to 3,500 pounds of GTW and 300 pounds of tongue weight;
  • Weight distribution problems - for loads over 5,000 pounds of GTW; and
  • The fifth wheel problem - similar to those of 18-wheelers (but much smaller). Used towing great for campers or horse trailers.

Mounting the towing hitch

They differ in how they mount. One type of problem towing is "invisible," while others mount in the bed of a pickup or flatbed. Your dealer can advise you about the nature of the problems and fixtures available. Check towing laws in your state.

We want you to be safe, so please contact your local dealer for further information about towing problem. Towing laws vary from state to state, so consult your state motor vehicle department for information about towing laws related to recreational towing addition to this guide.