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valhalla360's avatar
valhalla360
Navigator
Mar 22, 2016

Towing Calcualtor - Not having to look up truck ratings

Lots of towing calculators on the internet but every one I've seen makes you go look up the numbers for your truck and enter the actual ratings yourself.

Once I've looked up the ratings, it's just as easy to calculate it myself, so they aren't of much use.

Has anyone come across a calculator where you can enter your truck:
- Year
- Model
- Cab Type
- Rear Axle
- Engine
- Etc...

And it automatically looks up the ratings and spits out the maximum capabilities. Might be limited to your common tow vehicles (say, pickups, full size vans and large SUVs) and would have to be updated with each years new models.

This way if you are shopping, you can quickly enter the truck and it will give you the end products of what you can tow (obviously with the usual disclaimers).
  • rhagfo wrote:
    azdryheat wrote:
    Trailer Life Towing guide has what you're looking for.


    Yes, but they also only list maximum.

    On EDIT: Really most point to the beloved "Yellow Sticker" my feeling it is nice for on the lot comparison, BUT in reality, load the TV up as you would ready for a trip and get it weighed, Front axle and rear axle.
    I am not the weight police, I run over GVWR, but within all other ratings.
    Yes, I do believe a 1/2 ton can pull a 5er, more safely than a TT. The right TV and Right trailer and it will work well.


    Even the beloved yellow sticker doesn't solve it because it doesn't list the curb weights. Big difference between a shortbed regular cab vs a longbed 4 door with the same sticker.

    I don't believe the SXT and other trim levels typically have much impact (the HD rating does) but 10 different ratings usually sort themselves out when you enter the cab type, box length and engine.

    Trailer life calculator is a good start but drops the ball at the end and totally cops out on the 5th wheels. After that, you have to pull up the PDF and read it checking all the footnotes.
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    azdryheat wrote:
    Trailer Life Towing guide has what you're looking for.


    Yes, but they also only list maximum.

    On EDIT: Really most point to the beloved "Yellow Sticker" my feeling it is nice for on the lot comparison, BUT in reality, load the TV up as you would ready for a trip and get it weighed, Front axle and rear axle.
    I am not the weight police, I run over GVWR, but within all other ratings.
    Yes, I do believe a 1/2 ton can pull a 5er, more safely than a TT. The right TV and Right trailer and it will work well.
  • There are too many variables to have a towing guide based on so little information. You also need to know the tire size, GVWR. Ford alone has more than 10 different F150 XLTs. At least 6 different F150 Lariats, and several FX4, plus F150 STX. Sports, King ranch, Platinum. the list goes on.

    That is why none of the towing guides are really all that accurate.




    - Year
    - Model
    - Cab Type
    - Rear Axle
    - Engine
    - Etc...