Hitch Weight
Currently looking at SUV' s as a tow vehicle and my question is how much weight will these vehicles accommodate (safely) without over loading. Is there a place on the internet where this information i...
Forum Discussion
Keep in mind, much of the info you will see on the internet, will be advertised weights, and you will see a lot of "when propperly equipped". That is due to manufacturers building many different trim / option levels, with different curb weights, and different tow capacities. When shopping for a tow vehicle, you need to check each one for it's individual capacities. Due to weight, a two wheel drive will have higher payload and tow capacity, than a four wheel drive. A front wheel drive is less desireable as a tow vehicle.
Example:
Ford builds F150's with payloads anywhere between 750 and 3200 lbs. Some are rated to pull 11,000 lbs and some are rated to pull only 5,000 lbs.
If the SUV is model year 2006 or newer, there should be a loading sticker on drivers door post. It will show a max occupant / cargo carrying capacity (payload). That carrying capacity is total weight allowed for anything and everybody put in or on the vehicle.
From that payload number, subtract the weight of all occupants and any planned cargo to be in (or on) the vehicle. What is left, is available payload for trailer weight. If the trailer requires a weight distributing hitch, you will also need to subtract for it's weight, about 80 - 100 lbs. You can then divide your remaining payload number by .13, to get a loaded trailer weight that puts that SUV at, or near it's max weight.
Example:
If you have 400 lbs available payload, divide 400 by .13, to get 3076 lbs loaded trailer.
The vehicle's hitch will also have a weight rating stamped on the hitch.
Example:
Ford builds F150's with payloads anywhere between 750 and 3200 lbs. Some are rated to pull 11,000 lbs and some are rated to pull only 5,000 lbs.
If the SUV is model year 2006 or newer, there should be a loading sticker on drivers door post. It will show a max occupant / cargo carrying capacity (payload). That carrying capacity is total weight allowed for anything and everybody put in or on the vehicle.
From that payload number, subtract the weight of all occupants and any planned cargo to be in (or on) the vehicle. What is left, is available payload for trailer weight. If the trailer requires a weight distributing hitch, you will also need to subtract for it's weight, about 80 - 100 lbs. You can then divide your remaining payload number by .13, to get a loaded trailer weight that puts that SUV at, or near it's max weight.
Example:
If you have 400 lbs available payload, divide 400 by .13, to get 3076 lbs loaded trailer.
The vehicle's hitch will also have a weight rating stamped on the hitch.
