How Much Can My Truck Tow? Matching a Trailer to Your Vehicle
Understand GVWR, payload and tow ratings so you buy a trailer your truck can safely pull.
The key numbers
- Trailer GVWR: Maximum total weight of the trailer plus cargo.
- Payload: How much cargo the trailer can carry (GVWR minus the empty trailer weight).
- Tow rating: The most your truck can tow, from the owner's manual or door sticker.
The rule
The loaded trailer (empty weight + cargo) must stay under your truck's tow rating and under the hitch's rating. Aluminum trailers weigh less than steel, so more of your tow rating goes to the cargo.
Don't forget tongue weight
Tongue weight counts against the truck's payload, including passengers and anything in the bed.
Not sure? Tell our assistant your truck and what you'll haul. It will check the numbers for you. Final confirmation should always come from your vehicle's manual.