Type Of Vehicle Needed To Pull Your Trailer

Type Of Vehicle Needed To Pull Your Trailer

Whether you are an outdoor enthusiast with lots of camping equipment, need a toy hauler, or have a job that requires hauling big loads, there are a few things to consider when deciding on the type of pickup truck to get to use as your tow vehicle.

Trucks are great multi-purpose vehicles that come with crew cab options to ensure you can tow your equipment and take the family along. When looking at trucks with a tow package, there are many factors to consider, including the type of equipment you plan to pull, such as a travel trailer, fifth-wheel trailer, camper, or any cargo trailer. If it is towing capacity you are after, don't be distracted by other bells and whistles. Always look at the owner's manual to see the maximum tow capacity of a truck. If you plan on pulling something that isn't overly heavy, like kayaks or a personal watercraft, a light-duty truck will suffice, but if you plan on towing a 30-foot trailer and going off-road, you may want to consider a four-wheel drive heavy-duty half-ton truck.

Things to Know

Before setting out to look at trucks, it's best to know the weight of the trailer you intend to pull. Keep in mind that the weight listed on the trailer will be the dry weight and not include it being a loaded trailer. When looking at trailers, it's essential to know the difference between towing capacity and payload capacity. Payload capacity is the total amount a vehicle can carry, whereas max tow capacity is the max it can pull.

There are two abbreviations you will see in the towing guide. GVWR is the gross vehicle weight rating, and GCWR means the gross combined weight rating of the weight of the vehicle and the trailer's weight. Both of these are equally important to know. Another aspect that most people don't know what about but is essential for safety purposes is the trailer tongue weight, described as the vertical pressure that the trailer tongue places on the towing vehicle's hitch. Not only does how much the load is affects the tongue weight, but also how it is loaded, so be mindful of how much you throw in the truck bed. Another important safety feature is to have excellent trailer brakes and a brake controller connected to your vehicle to help keep you and your family safe.

If you are unsure of what type of towing capabilities you need and the type of truck to get, speak to the experts at FFUN Motorsports Saskatoon. Truck manufacturers are making incredible vehicles that can handle a massive amount of weight, such as the Ford F-150, RAM 1500, RAM 3500, GMC Sierra, and Chevy Silverado. Other automakers like Honda, Toyota, and Jeep have vehicles suitable for towing lighter loads depending on your total weight.