Towing capacity and payload calculator
Check a trailer against all five limits of your truck, not only the towing capacity. Use the numbers from your door labels and owner's manual.
Result
- Tongue weight–
- Load on the truck (people + cargo + tongue)–
- Usual tongue weight for this hitch10–15%
- Enter numbersTrailer weight vs towing capacityEnter your towing capacity and the trailer weight.
- Enter numbersPayload: people + cargo + tongue weightEnter your payload (or GVWR and curb weight).
- Enter numbersLoaded truck vs GVWREnter GVWR and curb weight.
- Enter numbersTruck + trailer vs GCWREnter GCWR, curb weight and trailer weight.
- Enter numbersTongue weight in the safe rangeEnter the trailer weight.
This checks the numbers you enter. It cannot know your exact truck: always use the ratings for your configuration, stay under every limit, and use trailer brakes and a weight-distributing hitch where the maker says so. Weighing the loaded rig on a truck scale is the surest check.
Find the ratings for your truck
- Door labels. Payload (yellow tire label), GVWR and GAWR (white certification label) in the driver door frame.
- Owner's manual. The towing table lists the maximum trailer weight and GCWR by engine, axle ratio and cab.
- VIN decode. Our free VIN decoder shows the engine, drive type and GVWR class, so you pick the right line in the table.
Towing questions
Where do I find my towing capacity?
In the owner's manual or the maker's towing guide for your exact model year, engine, axle ratio and cab. The same model can have very different ratings, so use the figure for your configuration. A dealer can look it up from the VIN.
Where is my payload and GVWR?
On the labels in the driver door frame. The yellow "Tire and Loading Information" label says "The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed … lbs": that is your payload. The white certification label shows the GVWR and GAWR.
What is tongue weight?
The weight of the trailer that pushes down on the hitch. For a conventional (bumper pull) trailer it is usually about 10 to 15% of the trailer weight; for a fifth-wheel or gooseneck about 15 to 25%. Too little can make the trailer sway; too much overloads the rear axle. Tongue weight counts against your payload.
What is the difference between GVWR and GCWR?
GVWR is the most the truck itself may weigh, with people, cargo and tongue weight. GCWR is the most the truck and the loaded trailer may weigh together.
Can the VIN tell me my towing capacity?
Not directly. A VIN decode can show the GVWR class, engine and drive type, which helps you find the right line in the maker's towing guide. Try the free VIN decoder.