{"id":10991,"date":"2023-10-18T14:09:36","date_gmt":"2023-10-18T21:09:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog2.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/?p=10991"},"modified":"2024-01-29T15:34:36","modified_gmt":"2024-01-29T22:34:36","slug":"how-much-can-my-vehicle-tow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/how-much-can-my-vehicle-tow\/","title":{"rendered":"How Much Can My Vehicle Tow? A Beginner’s Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

So, you’ve finally decided to buy your dream boat or travel trailer.  Now, you can’t wait to hit the water (or the open road)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But then<\/strong><\/em> you stop to think:  Am I sure I can safely tow this boat or travel trailer?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s an important question, especially when towing a bulky, 8,7000 lb Cabin Cruiser<\/a> or an 18,000 lb 5th wheel<\/a>. Not to mention, getting it wrong can prove dangerous (and costly). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Never fear: We’ve got you covered. In this article, you’ll learn all you ever need to know about towing your boat, RV, or trailer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photo source<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Language of Towing: Important Towing Acronyms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To tow your trailer safely, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the terms and acronyms used in reference to towing.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is this so important?<\/em>  Because there can be some confusing cross-over in the definitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The terms “Gross Vehicle Weight Rating” (GVWR) <\/strong>and “payload capacity”<\/strong> both refer to how much cargo and passengers  – in pounds – you can carry with your rig. However, they aren’t the same thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GVWR<\/strong> is the maximum amount your vehicle can safely carry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR)<\/strong> accounts for the total weight of your vehicle, passengers, cargo, and the trailer tongue weight<\/strong> (the weight of the trailer as it pushes down on the trailer hitch).  GCWR measures the maximum amount of weight that can be pushed vertically down onto your vehicle, including the trailer tongue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Payload<\/strong>, on the other hand, refers to how much weight you can safely put on your truck independent of the truck weight (i.e., the enchilada, sans<\/em> plate.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Payload = GVWR – Vehicle weight<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Vehicle Towing Capacity?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Towing capacity<\/strong> is the maximum amount that a vehicle can safely tow.  In simplest terms, it’s a measure of the maximum weight that your vehicle can pull horizontally on a trailer on flat ground<\/strong><\/em>.  This is calculated by combining the weight of your boat (or other towable) and the trailer it’s resting on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Do I Find My Vehicle Towing Capacity?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are two places in your vehicle where you should be able to find the manufacturer’s weight ratings:  the door jamb sticker and the owner’s manual.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photo source: Tom Ekman<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should double-check the posted weight rating by consulting your vehicle manufacturer’s website (To do so, look up your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)<\/strong>). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Accurate is the Manufacturer’s GVWR?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you’re loaded down to 100% of your GVWR, and Uncle Fred decides to join the trip at the last minute, you could suddenly be 200 pounds over the limit.  When it comes to towing, every single pound counts<\/em><\/strong>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Experts will advise that you, quite literally, count pounds of fluid in your vehicle!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think of the posted GVWR as an estimate of the absolute maximum<\/strong> that a towing vehicle can handle without sustaining damage. Most experts suggest that you start by lopping 10-20% off the top of the manufacturer’s GVWR to leave yourself a margin of safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t
\r\n\t\t
\r\n\t\t

How Neighbor is changing car storage<\/h2>\r\n\t\t <\/header>\r\n\t\t
\r\n\t\t
\r\n\t\t
\r\n\t\t \r\n\t\t <\/path>\r\n\t\t <\/svg>\r\n\t\t <\/div>\r\n\t\t

Transparent monthly savings<\/h3>\r\n\t\t

Renters save 30-50% on car storage, on average. No rate hikes.<\/p>\r\n\t\t <\/div>\r\n\t\t

\r\n\t\t
\r\n\t\t \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\r\n\t\t <\/div>\r\n\t\t

Keep your car nearby<\/h3>\r\n\t\t

Find trusted car storage just minutes from where you live.<\/p>\r\n\t\t <\/div>\r\n\t\t

\r\n\t\t
\r\n\t\t \r\n\t\t <\/path>\r\n\t\t <\/svg>\r\n\t\t <\/div>\r\n\t\t

Storage made simple<\/h3>\r\n\t\t

Don't settle for stone age tech and long contracts. Neighbor makes it easy.<\/p>\r\n\t\t <\/div>\r\n\t\t <\/section>\r\n\t\t