Can my truck tow this trailer?

1. Start with the exact truck

Use ratings for the exact vehicle, not the highest number advertised for the model line. Cab, bed, engine, drivetrain, axle ratio, options and installed equipment can all change the available ratings.

2. Use loaded trailer weight

Brochure dry weight is only a starting point. Water, propane, batteries, food, tools and camping gear can add hundreds or even thousands of pounds. Use a real scale weight when possible, or build a realistic loaded estimate.

3. Check payload before assuming the tow rating works

Tongue or pin weight is carried by the truck. Add passengers, cargo and hitch hardware and payload can become the limiting factor long before the advertised towing capacity is reached.

4. Compare every major limit

At minimum, check payload, truck GVWR, GCWR where applicable, axle ratings, hitch rating, trailer GVWR, tire ratings and loaded trailer weight. The setup should remain within each applicable rating.

Example

A truck rated to tow 10,000 lb may have only 1,700 lb of payload. A 7,500 lb loaded trailer at 12% tongue weight puts about 900 lb on the truck. Add 450 lb of passengers, 150 lb of cargo and 100 lb of hitch hardware and the truck is already carrying about 1,600 lb. The trailer is below the tow rating, but the truck has very little payload left.

Use real weights when you can

A CAT Scale ticket can confirm how the combination is actually loaded and help expose axle or weight-distribution issues that estimates may miss.

Frequently asked questions