More and more people are towing than ever, and with good reason. There are tons of places to explore, and never before have we had such capable vehicles. Trucks, SUVs, and crossovers account for 20 of the top 25 bestselling vehicles in 2024. Plus, after a stressful week, it’s nice to pack up your vehicle and tow a camper on a much-needed mini vacation. But what are the basics you need to understand so you can safely tow a travel trailer or a camper?
Towing Safely Equates to Having a Good Time
Safely towing is vital to having a good time, obviously. While it might mean you need to take more time to get set up, it is a matter of life and death that drivers know their vehicles’ limits and how to tow properly for the safety of themselves and everyone else on the road. Most modern ½-ton 1500-series trucks can tow anywhere from 9,000 to 13,000 pounds.
The Most Important Terms to Learn
The main terms you need to know are very simple: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR), hitch weight/tongue weight, Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) or axle weight, and payload capacity.
Let’s Define Those Terms
Your Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the maximum weight of your vehicle, including the vehicle itself, passengers, all cargo, and even tongue weight—both in the cab and in the bed (if we’re talking about a truck). The Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total maximum weight of the tow vehicle and trailer combined—it’s the whole rig. Hitch weight, also known as tongue weight, is the amount of weight that is pushing down on the hitch of your trailer. The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) is the maximum amount of weight that can be placed over each axle of your truck. There are legal limits to this, too, so it’s incredibly important that you know what you are doing here. Finally, payload capacity is the maximum weight your vehicle can carry, including passengers and cargo. We understand that this is a lot of stuff to take in all at once. But once you read it a few times and then use it in practice, it becomes second nature; don’t worry.
Alright, Let’s Break It Down
Let us do a simple exercise to make this all more relatable. Travel trailers will vary in weight, but let’s say you are going to tow one that is 5,000 pounds, and your truck is able to tow 9,200 pounds. Okay, this is easy enough. However, you still need to think about some other figures, like your GVWR. Think of this as the maximum weight of everything in your vehicle—5,300 pounds for the truck (5.3-liter V8 GMC Sierra) and another 1,000 pounds for all cargo (people, luggage, cargo, fuel, tongue weight) for a total GVWR of 6,300 pounds.
Fully Calculating What You Can Safely Tow and Carry
When you get the GVWR, you’re going to subtract that number from your GCWR, resulting in the true weight that you can tow. (Remember, GCWR is the combined weight of your truck and trailer, specified by the manufacturer.) In the case of a 5.3-liter Crew Cab Sierra with a standard-size bed, the GCWR is 15,000 pounds. If you take away 6,300 pounds (GVWR), you get 8,700 pounds, which is the most weight you can safely tow. This means that your 5,000-pound trailer will be just fine to tow.
Let Us Help You If You Have Any Questions
You have just gotten a crash course in towing safely and hopefully understanding how towing works. It’s understandable that you will still have some questions and potential worries, but Valley RV Supercenter is here to assist you. Call or stop by to talk to a salesperson to get this information in a more one-on-one fashion.
Why Choose Valley RV Supercenter
At Valley RV Supercenter, we offer the best prices and services. Whether you are looking for a new or used RV or trailer, we have what you are looking for. Our amazing staff will always work hard to provide you with the best experience imaginable, and our finance department can assist you in finding the best rates on all RVs. When it’s time, our service department is second to none and will take care of your vehicle as if it were their own, providing you with peace of mind. For those looking to rent an RV for a weekend or an extended period of time, we offer the perfect options for your traveling needs.
If you are looking for a tow vehicle to pull your trailer, we have a truck center where you can find the best vehicle for your needs. We look forward to helping you.
