For most people, knowing a vehicles exact towing capability is not a necessary factor in everyday life. For individuals who find themselves hauling large trailers, vehicles, and other items, it is paramount to understand the towing capacity of the lead vehicle. This post will outline the proper calculation formula for accurate towing capacity, as well as the side effects of improper calculation and excess towing capacity consequences. 

The proper definition of towing capacity refers to the largest amount of weight that can be towed behind a vehicle. In any given truck, payload capacity is is far less than the towing capacity because of the distribution of the weight. The largest sum of the mass will rest mostly on the load bearing trailer transaxle rather than the lead vehicle axle. 

When it comes time to tow a vehicle and the decision is made to do it on your own, there are some things to be aware of. First of all, you will need access to a few tools to include a tow bar, recovery point, and tow hitch. The towing device will be connected to chassis of the towed vehicle by the lead vehicle. Larger vehicles that are being towed should have special modifications such as a jaw and tow pin to allow the necessary slack within the tow system. 

The easiest way to calculate your vehicle's total towing capacity, is to find the owners manual which will state the figure outright. If this option is not available, the product can still be calculated by taking the difference between the trucks curb weight and the gross combined vehicle weight rating (GCVWR). The gross combined vehicle weight rating is the total tolerable mass that is loaded between the truck and trailer. 

More simply put; to find towing capacity take GCVWR and subtract it from the curb weight of the lead vehicle. For example, if a vehicle holds a GCVWR of 13,500 pounds and the vehicle weighs 8,500 pounds bare, your towing capacity should not exceed 5,000 pounds. It is very important to understand the gross weight of all items being towed on a trailer to ensure that it is within the capacity of the vehicle. 

The consequences of exceeding maximum towing ability can lead to catastrophic damage to vital parts of the vehicle such as the transmission, frame, tires and moving parts of the engine. Before attaching any towing apparatus, refer to the owners manual to ensure proper capacity is not exceeded. 

It has been proven that cargo weight and stability is a major factor in roadway safety. In a three year study, road debris and dismantled cargo accounted for approximately 50,000 crashes annually. The total sum of collateral damage included 9,800 injuries and more than 120 fatalities. 

While towing a vehicle can be dangerous, it is no point for concern if all the necessary procedure and safety steps are executed. Reservations about towing can be handled personally or by hiring a towing expert to move the equipment from point A to B. NOZ Towing follows all of the appropriate ADOT regulations and equips the proper vehicle for all varieties of towing capacity. Get in touch with our team today to learn more about how we can help with your next towing trip.