Whether you have a small camper, utility trailer, or a boat, you’ll need some basic facts to tow your goods. No matter how sturdy or rugged your car may seem, there’s a specific limit to how much it can pull. If you try to connect something that exceeds this limit, you risk damaging both the car and the cargo. Before you pick up a tow hitch and start towing, get to know your vehicle’s towing capacity. 

What Is Vehicle’s Towing Capacity?

A vehicle’s towing capacity is the maximum weight your car can pull. This number depends on various weight ratings, all of which are determined by the car manufacturer. This assessment is based on:

• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The total weight a car is capable of handling on its own when it’s not attached to anything. It factors the structure itself, including the necessary automotive fluids like gasoline and engine oil, and any passengers or cargo. Campers often use this instead of the GTWR, which is listed below.

• Gross Trailer Weight Rating (GTWR): Like GVWR, this rating refers to how much a trailer can hold. This number includes the frame and its contents as well. 

• Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR): As the name suggests, this rating includes both the vehicle, its passengers, the tow hitch, the trailer, and any cargo between them.

How Can You Find out Your Vehicle’s Towing Capacity?

You can find the towing capacity in your car’s owner’s manual. If you don’t have it, you can always check the manufacturer’s website. Once you have that number, you can compare it to your intended cargo. If the GTWR — or GVWR if you’re towing a camper — is below the towing capacity, it’s likely safe to tow. 

Keep in mind that towing limits differ across the country, and so you may have to tow less than the manufacturer’s suggested capacity. Always check with the DMV to see what the towing limit is in your state.

If you need help finding the right tow hitch for your car, head to Brad’s Trailer Supply. This Rochester, NY, shop has provided high-quality trailer accessories since the 1950s. If you already have a tow hitch, they also have camping supplies, so you can start your adventure. You can preview some of their products online, and if you have any questions, call (585) 458-4498.