Towing a Trailer

Trailer Weight

Safe trailer towing requires control of weight, speed, altitude, road grade, outside temperature, frontal area of the trailer, and how often the vehicle is used for towing.

Trailer Weight

When towing a trailer, the combined weight of the vehicle, vehicle contents, trailer, and trailer contents must be below all of the maximum vehicle ratings, including:

• GCWR: Gross Combined Weight Rating
• GVWR: Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
• Maximum Trailer Weight
• Maximum Trailer Tongue Weight Rating

Refer to "Trailer Brakes" in the Towing section. Brake control equipment is required depending on your trailer weight.

The only way to make sure weight does not exceed any of these ratings is to weigh the tow vehicle and the fully loaded trailer combination for the trip, obtaining individual weights for each of these items.

Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)

GCWR is the total allowable weight of the fully loaded vehicle and trailer, including any fuel, passengers, cargo, equipment, and accessories. Do not exceed the GCWR for your vehicle. The GCWR for your vehicle is listed in the towing rating chart below.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)

For information on the vehicle's maximum load capacity, refer to Vehicle Load Limits. When calculating GVWR with an attached trailer, the trailer tongue weight must be included as part of the weight the vehicle is carrying.

Maximum Trailer Weight

The maximum trailer weight is calculated with the driver, a front-seat passenger, and all required trailer equipment in the vehicle. This value represents the heaviest trailer the vehicle can tow, but the trailer weight may need to be reduced to stay within the GCWR, GVWR, maximum trailer tongue load, or GAWR-RR for the vehicle.

Use the towing rating chart to determine how much trailer the vehicle can tow, depending on the vehicle model and options.

Maximum Trailer Tongue Weight

The Maximum Trailer Tongue Weight Rating is the allowable trailer tongue weight the vehicle can support when using a conventional trailer hitch. It may be necessary to reduce the total trailer weight to stay within the maximum trailer tongue weight rating while still maintaining proper trailer load balance.

Do not exceed the maximum trailer tongue weight of 159 kg (350 lbs).

Trailer tongue weight contributes to the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). GVW includes the CURB WEIGHT of your vehicle, any passengers, cargo, equipment, and trailer tongue weight. Vehicle options, passengers, cargo, and equipment reduce the maximum allowable tongue weight the vehicle can carry, which also reduces the maximum allowable trailer weight.

Trailer Load Balancing

Proper trailer load balance must be maintained to ensure trailer stability. Improper load balance is the main cause of trailer sway.

The tongue weight of the trailer (1) must be 10–15% of the loaded trailer weight (2). Some specific trailer types, such as boat trailers, may fall outside this range. Always refer to the trailer owner's manual for the recommended tongue weight for each trailer. Never exceed the maximum loads for your vehicle, trailer, and hitch.

After loading the trailer, weigh the trailer separately, then weigh the trailer tongue and calculate the trailer load balance percentage to see if the weight and distribution are suitable for your vehicle. If the trailer weight is too high, it may be possible to transfer some cargo to your vehicle. If the trailer tongue weight is too high or too low, it may be possible to reposition some cargo inside the trailer.

Do not exceed the maximum allowable tongue weight for your vehicle. Use the shortest available hitch extension to place the hitch ball closer to your vehicle. This helps reduce the effect of trailer tongue weight on the trailer hitch and rear axle.

If a cargo carrier is used in the trailer hitch receiver, select a carrier that places the load as close as possible to the vehicle. Make sure the total weight, including the carrier, does not exceed one half of the maximum allowable tongue weight for the vehicle or 227 kg (500 lb), whichever is less.

Ask your dealer for trailering information or assistance.