Towing Capacity Calculator
Find what you can actually tow once the truck is loaded.
Advertised tow ratings assume an empty vehicle with a single driver. Tongue weight, GVWR, axle ratings and hitch class all impose separate limits — the lowest of them governs.
How this calculator works
max trailer = GCWR − curb weight − passengers and cargo
The tow rating on the brochure is what the truck can pull with nothing in it. Every pound of people, fuel and gear comes straight off that figure, which is why real capacity is often 1,500 lb less than advertised.
Worked example
With gcwr 15000 lb, vehicle curb weight 6000 lb, passengers and cargo 800 lb, this calculator returns 8200 lb.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my real towing capacity lower than advertised?
Published ratings assume an empty truck with a 150 lb driver. Add a family, a full tank, tools and a hitch and you can lose 1,500 lb of capacity before hooking anything up.
What is GCWR?
Gross Combined Weight Rating — the maximum the truck and trailer may weigh together, fully loaded. Subtract your actual loaded vehicle weight from it and what remains is your trailer allowance.
Why tow at only 80% of maximum?
It preserves braking distance, transmission temperature and control in crosswinds and on grades. Sustained towing at the limit is where transmissions and brakes fail, especially in hills.
Does tongue weight count against payload?
Yes, and it catches many people out. Ten to 15% of the trailer weight presses down on the hitch and counts toward the truck payload, so a 7,000 lb trailer puts 700 to 1,050 lb into the bed.