Towing capacity also called maximum capacity is the maximum weight a vehicle tows. Towing capacity is defined by manufacturers of the vehicle and as usual is found in the manual of an owner. Towing capacity of certain towing hitches exceeds towing capacity of cars and trucks, but it is explained by the fact that hitches often have to fit different types of tow vehicles. In order to avoid damages to your car, you have to follow the auto manufacturer’s designated towing capacity.
Understanding your vehicle’s towing capacity before began towing is very essential. You are expected to create an unsafe driving situation, if you exceed the manufacturer’s driving capacity, and will probably cause serious damages to the engine, transmission, rear axle, brakes and wheel bearings, in addition, you will void the manufacturer’s warranty.
If you are going to purchase a new vehicle, take into consideration that AWD and $WD vehicles have a lower towing capability compared to 2WD vehicle. Pickup trucks with extra-cab and crew cab designs also tend to have lower towing capacity than comparable standard cab designs. It is worth researching towing capacity of a vehicle before you decide to buy it. You’d better buy a vehicle with a much larger towing capacity than you plan to use.
Checking Your Vehicle’s Owner’s Manual
The best mean to define the towing capacity of a vehicle is to read the vehicle’s owner’s manual and compare the data with the certification plate on the driver’s door sill. The manual of the owner provides thorough instructions and limitations, and tips for safe towing, too.
For instance, the Ford Crown Victoria 2000 year model owner’s manual includes the following statement:
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle is classified as a light duty towing vehicle. Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been driven at least3,200 km(2,000 miles). Towing a trailer places an additional load on your vehicle’s engine, transmission, brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these components carefully after towing. Your loaded trailer should weigh no more than907 kg(2,000 lbs.).
Many safety considerations exist to properly towing a trailer or caravan starting with vehicle towing capacity and ranging through equalizer hitches to properly and legally connecting the safety chains.
According to theUnited States, more than 65,000 crashes involving passenger vehicles towing trailers occurred in2004 intheUS, jumping nearly 20 percent from the previous year.
As the United National Highway Traffic Safety Association states over 60 thousands crashes which involved passenger vehicle towing trailers took place only in2004 intheUS, and the number is 20% higher compared to the previous year.The most significant factor about towing safety is the tongue weight. The tongue weight is the weight used by the vehicle to press down the tow vehicles hitch. If the tongue weight is not sufficient, it may cause the vehicle to sway back and forth when it is towed, and also, if the tongue weight is too much, it will cause problems with the tow vehicle.