How to figure towing vehicle capacity?

If you already have the vehicle that you plan to tow with, you need to find a trailer that is within the weight range of your vehicle. This was a common problem I ran into during my days as an RV Sales Manager. Customers would come in to purchase a travel trailer only to find out that their tow vehicle did not have a very good tow rating. It can be extremely frustrating to go out and find the perfect travel trailer or fifth wheel and then be told that you can't tow it. This happens every day, and this is why you need to be armed with the right information before you buy it. You should know how to figure towing vehicle capacity.

How to figure towing vehicle capacity?

It is not my intention to upset any RV dealers, but if you go to a dealership and they don't ask you for information about the tow vehicle it would be wise to go elsewhere. The first question my salespeople were required to ask was if you already had a tow vehicle. If so, they would look in our towing book and figure towing vehicle capacity for your particular vehicle. Then we would inform you of your options. We lost many sales because the customer could not safely pull the camper they wanted, but we did not allow them to jeopardize themselves or their family.

If you don't already have the tow vehicle, it's a good idea to find the camper you want first and then buy a vehicle that is capable of safely towing it. I will caution you again, be careful if you listen to the salesperson at the auto dealership. They are only interested in selling you a vehicle, and a large percentage of salespeople do not understand vehicle tow ratings and so forth towing vehicle capacity. Call a reputable RV dealer and ask them to check the vehicle's tow rating before you buy it.

The manufacturer determines a vehicle's tow rating. It is the maximum amount of weight that the vehicle can safely tow. The manufacturer takes many factors into consideration when determining a tow rating. They look at the vehicle's engine size, transmission, axle ratio, chassis, suspension, brakes, tires, cooling capacity, and many other things. Now, this may all sound complicated, but the bottom line is how much can the vehicle safely tow. This helps in determining figure towing vehicle capacity. Do not assume that just because you're buying a truck it can tow a lot of weight. Most manufacturers offer vehicles with tow packages. A tow package upgrades the vehicle's suspension, brakes, tires, and cooling system. They also add items like engine and transmission oil coolers to protect the vehicle's major components when you are towing.

The author works for a top towing service in Etobicoke also posted an article for Best Roadside Assistance in Canada.