Towing Guides
Towing guides with specific specifications can be found by clicking on the links below:
Towing Basics
GCVW
Gross Combined Vehicle Weight (GCVW) is the entire combined weight of a fully loaded vehicle, includes payload, passengers and everything in tow.
GVW
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is the entire weight of a fully loaded vehicle, including the payload and the Passengers, but excludes all towing.
GTW
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) is the entire weight of the trailer plus all of the cargo in it.
CURB WEIGHT
The weight of a vehicle without passengers or cargo, but includes all fuel, fluids and standard equipment.
AXLE RATIO
The ratio between the revolutions per minute of the driveshaft and the rear axle. In general, a higher number offers more towing power; a lower number offers better engine efficiency.
How does axle ratio affect my towing and payload capability? (Applies to chassis cabs and pick ups only.) Generally, a higher axle ratio gives you more towing power and faster acceleration, while a lower axle ratio gives you better engine efficiency and quieter running.
The axle ratio describes the connection between the driveshaft revolutions per minute and the rear axle's revolutions per minute. For example, an axle ratio of 4.1:1 means the small pinion gear at the end of the driveshaft must be in rotation 4.1 times for every single rotation of the rear axle.
Finding your optimal axle ratio will be a compromise. You want a ratio that will give you strong towing power without hindering your non-towing performance too seriously. By deciding how much weight you will be towing and how often you will be towing it, you will be able to find a ratio that will boost both power and engine efficiency.
TRAILER TONGUE WEIGHT
The downward force exerted on the hitch ball by the trailer coupler. In most cases, it should fall between 10 to 25 percent of GTW. Trailer tongue weight must be accounted for in total payload.