Owner's Manual Instruction Manual

Towing capacities are calculated assuming a
base vehicle with driver and any options required
to achieve the rating. Additional passengers,
cargo and/or optional equipment, such as the
trailer hitch, will add weight to the vehicle and
reduce your vehicle’s maximum towing capacity
and trailer tongue load.
The vehicle and trailer need to be weighed to
confirm the vehicle is within the GVWR, Front
GAWR, Rear GAWR, Gross Combined Weight
Rating (GCWR) and Towing capacity.
All vehicle and trailer weights can be measured
using platform type scales commonly found at
truck stops, highway weigh stations, building
supply centers or salvage yards.
To determine the available payload capacity for
tongue load, use the following procedure.
1. Locate the GVWR on the
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label.
2. Weigh your vehicle on the scale with all of
the passengers and cargo that are normally
in the vehicle when towing a trailer.
3. Subtract the actual vehicle weight from the
GVWR. The remaining amount is the avail-
able maximum tongue load.
To determine the available towing capacity, use
the following procedure.
1. Find the GCWR for your vehicle on the
Towing Load/Specification chart found
later in this section.
2. Subtract the actual vehicle weight from the
GCWR. The remaining amount is the avail-
able maximum towing capacity.
To determine the Gross Trailer Weight, weigh
your trailer on a scale with all equipment and
cargo, that are normally in the trailer when it is
towed. Make sure the Gross trailer weight is not
more than the Gross Trailer Weight Rating shown
on the trailer and is not more than the calculated
available maximum towing capacity.
Also weigh the front and rear axles on the scale to
make sure the Front Gross Axle Weight and Rear
Gross Axle Weight are not more than Front
Gross Axle Weight and Rear Gross Axle Weight
on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label.
The cargo in the trailer and vehicle may need to
be moved or removed to meet the specified rat-
ings.
Example:
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) as weighed
on a scale - including passengers, cargo and
hitch - 5,425 lb. (2,460 kg).
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) from
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label -
6,000 lb. (2,722 kg).
Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)
from “Towing Load/Specification chart -
11,133 lb. (5,050 kg).
Maximum Trailer towing capacity from “Tow-
ing Load/Specification chart - 6,000 lb.
(2,722 kg).
6,000 lb. (2,722 kg) GVWR
5,425 lb. (2,460 kg) GVW
= 575 lb. (260 kg) Available for tongue
weight
11,133 lb. (5,050 kg) GCWR
5,425 lb. (2,460 kg) GVW
= 5,708 lb. (2,588 kg) Capacity available for
towing
575 lb. (260 kg) Available tongue weight
/ 5,708 lb. (2,588 kg) Available capacity
= 10 % tongue weight
The available towing capacity may be less than
the maximum towing capacity due to the passen-
ger and cargo load in the vehicle.
Remember to keep trailer tongue weight be-
tween 10 - 15% of the trailer weight or within the
9-20 Technical and consumer information