Forum Discussion
APT
May 21, 2014Explorer
Focus on tongue weight, payload, and receiver limit. You can tow a 7500 pound boat with only you driving. But add the family and an RV tongue weight, you'll likely exceed both the receiver and GVWR well under 7500 pound loaded RV. Tow ratings are for all types of trailers and typically only work out for the easiest type - flat beds and boats. RVs are the most difficult type to tow.
First locate this sticker for as equipped payload on your driver's door or B-pillar when the driver's door is open.

Subtract the weight of your family, multiply by 7 for a reasonable dry weight. This should keep under GVWR of the SUV. Next find a sticker on the receiver or possibly owners manual listing the max receiver limit. This is often 10% of the tow ratings on mid sized SUVs. Something like this:

Multiply that number by 6.5 for a reasonable dry weight due to receiver limit.
First locate this sticker for as equipped payload on your driver's door or B-pillar when the driver's door is open.

Subtract the weight of your family, multiply by 7 for a reasonable dry weight. This should keep under GVWR of the SUV. Next find a sticker on the receiver or possibly owners manual listing the max receiver limit. This is often 10% of the tow ratings on mid sized SUVs. Something like this:

Multiply that number by 6.5 for a reasonable dry weight due to receiver limit.
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