![]() A hitch that can be adjusted for height is helpful if you have to tow different trailers. It's critical that the trailer sits level when it's attached to the tow vehicle. The height of the hitch affects the tongue weight as well as the truck's braking ability. Too little tongue weight affects how the trailer will handle behind the pickup, potentially causing the trailer to sway side-to-side, also called fishtailing. Too much tongue weight can cause the truck to sit too low in the rear that can hurt the front wheels' ability to provide steering, traction, and braking, and potentially cause suspension damage. It's the amount of the trailer's weight on the hitch ball-that's the part that slides into the receiver attached to the truck and holds up the trailer while you drive. Payload is the GVWR minus the truck's base curb weight, and don't forget that the trailer's tongue weight needs to be included here, too.Īlso known as tongue load, this is an important number to consider. This is the combined maximum allowable weight of cargo and occupants that the vehicle is designed to carry. Though the GCWR for your truck is not usually found on the label on the truck's doorjamb, it can be found in the towing section of each truck manufacturer's website. The maximum weight of the vehicle and loaded trailer that can be handled safely, without risking damage. Note that trailer weight is not added against the GVWR, but the tongue weight of the trailer is. The GVWR is shown on the vehicle's certification label on the driver's doorjamb. This is the weight of the vehicle plus the maximum allowable weight for occupants and cargo that the vehicle can safely handle. This means that if you're towing near your truck's limits, you might have to leave some cargo or passengers at home to stay within its safe capacities. ![]() Tow vehicle weight (5,500 pounds) + Payload (1,475 pounds) = 6,975 pounds, which is just shy of the truck's 7,000-pound GVWR.Īs this example shows, a pickup truck's payload adds up quickly when towing, in large part because of the trailer's tongue weight. ![]()
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