Quick Guide for Understanding Towing Capacity in Nebraska City, NE

When it comes to towing, we know that many of our valued customers here at Larson Motors mean serious business. Whether you have a Ram 2500, Ford F-150, or Chevrolet Silverado, your vehicle’s towing capabilities likely played a major part in your decision to purchase it in the first place. Keep reading to learn how you can tow your trailer, watercraft, or other bulky object safely!

Start With the Manufacturer's Towing Rating

All of our trucks or SUVs come with a published maximum towing capacity from the factory. You'll find this figure in your Owner's Manual, on the door jamb sticker, or in the towing guide specific to your model year. However, many people miss the fact that this number is a maximum under ideal conditions. It assumes a specific engine, axle ratio, towing package, and payload configuration. Your actual truck may be rated lower depending on how it was built.

Understand GVWR Versus GTW

Your model’s GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) is the maximum allowable weight of your tow vehicle when fully loaded, including passengers, cargo, fuel, and tongue weight. Your GTW (Gross Trailer Weight) is the total weight of your trailer fully loaded, including items like gear, water, propane, bikes, and food. Your GTW must never exceed your vehicle's towing capacity. Before you tow, load your trailer exactly as it will be on J. Sterling Morton Beltway and weigh it at a public scale. Many campers and trailers weigh significantly more when fully loaded than their dry weight suggests.

Don't Forget Tongue Weight

Tongue weight is the downward force the trailer exerts on your hitch ball. As a general rule, tongue weight should be 9 to 15 percent of your total trailer weight. Too little tongue weight causes trailer sway, too much overloads your rear axle and reduces front-wheel steering control. Most trucks have a separate tongue weight rating listed alongside the towing capacity. On a heavy-duty truck like the GMC Sierra 2500HD or Ford F-250, tongue weight ratings can exceed 2,000 lbs. If you have a lighter vehicle, you'll want to stay mindful of this number.

Calculate Your Remaining Payload

Here's the step that trips up even experienced towers. Your payload rating, which can be found on the door jamb sticker, is the maximum weight your truck can carry in the cab and bed, including tongue weight. If your truck has a 1,500-lb. payload rating and you have 400 lb. of passenger weight plus 200 lb. of gear in the truck bed, you only have 900 lb. left for tongue weight. That limits what you can safely tow far more than the raw towing capacity figure does.

Get the Right Equipment

Finally, make sure your hitch, ball mount, and weight distribution system are all rated for your load. Our knowledgeable staff members can help you spec the right setup for whatever you're towing.

Our Service Department

Your towing capacity is a system of numbers, not a single figure. Come to our Service Department during our business hours so we can help you find the right Ford, GMC, or Chevy for your towing needs. We’d be happy to take a look at your vehicle before so you can be confident as you travel to places like Steinhart Park!

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