Payload Towing Capacity Measurement Guide
Key Takeaways
What is towing capacity?
Towing capacity is the maximum weight that your vehicle can tow safely and legally, and can be found in the owner’s manual or on the sticker inside the driver-side door.
What is the payload capacity?
The payload capacity show how much weight you can safely add inside the cabin or cargo area. To find the payload capacity, subtract the curb weight from the GVWR.
What is the difference between towing capacity vs payload capacity?
Towing capacity is how much a vehicle can haul when towing something behind it. Payload capacity refers to how much weight a vehicle can carry within the interior of the cabin or within its bed, which can be passengers, tools, and other types of equipment.
What do GVWR and GCWR stand for?
GVWR means gross vehicle weight rating, which is the maximum loaded weight that the vehicle is designed to be safely operated under. The GCWR means gross combined weight rating and represents the maximum weight the towing vehicle can safely operate fully loaded, with a trailer.
All About Towing Capacity
To effectively tow equipment and cargo, using your vehicle, you will need to understand the capacity it can carry. The towing capacity is the maximum weight your vehicle can pull safely and legally. Not doing so prior can result in damaging your vehicle and even causing injury to yourself and others.
Towing Capacity Label Glossary
Understanding your vehicle’s towing capacity is important to applying safe towing practices. Here’s a list of common terms:
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) – the maximum amount of weight a vehicle can hold while still
- Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) – the maximum weight of both the tow vehicle and trailer combined, fully loaded
- Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) – the maximum amount of weight an axle can support
- Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) – the total weight of your trailer and cargo
- Tongue Weight (TW) – the pressure pushing down on the trailer hitch from the load
- Curb Weight – the total weight of a vehicle and all the fluids it requires to function (including a full tank of gas), but without passengers or cargo
- Dry Weight – measurement of how much a vehicle weighs with no cargo and no fluids
- Payload – maximum amount of weight a vehicle can carry in its cabin and/or bed
How Can I Find My Vehicle’s GVWR?
Your vehicle’s GVWR can be found in one of two places – the vehicle’s owner manual OR the sticker inside the driver’s side door (door jamb).
Determining Towing Capacity
To determine vehicle’s towing capacity, use the vehicle’s manufacturer’s weight rating (GVWR) and compare it to the gross weight of trailer or payload. This would include passengers, fuel, cargo, etc.
If the GVWR is greater than the payload or trailer, it is safe to tow. If not, it is unsafe.
How to Use Weight Ratings and Measurements
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) – to calculate, you must determine the tare weight (weight of vehicle when it is empty) plus the rated payload (amount of weight the vehicle has onboard).
Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) – to calculate, you will add the GVWR and the GTW
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) – to calculate, you will weigh the front end and rear end of the vehicle separately once it is fully loaded with passengers, fuel, and cargo.
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) – this isn’t a rating, but is measured by placing a fully loaded trailer on a vehicle scale or using a trailer weight scale
Tongue Weight (TW) – to calculate, you will need to add the weight of the tow vehicle plus the weight of the vehicle with the trailer attached
Curb Weight – to calculate, you will take the GVWR and subtract the vehicle’s payload
Dry Weight – while not needed in most towing calculations, this weight is when the vehicle is completely empty – no fuel, oil, fluid, etc.
Payload – to calculate, subtract the curb weight from the GVWR
