Towing Terms to Know | Bradenton, FL

Towing 101 – Terms You Should Know

Many drivers aren't familiar with common towing terms, so experts at Hendrick Honda Bradenton are here to help. We'll explain basic towing terms, such as towing and payload capacity. And if you're looking for vehicles capable of towing, we have an extensive selection of new and used pickup trucks. Visit our showroom in Bradenton, FL, and we have a friendly team to assist you.

Basic Towing Terms

Towing Capacity:

Don't start hauling a heavy load until you know the heaviest weight your vehicle can safely pull behind it or its max towing capacity. This information is mainly on the driver's door specifications sticker or the owner's manual.

Payload Capacity:

Payload capacity is the total weight supported by the cab and truck bed.

Curb Weight:

Manufacturers report a vehicle's curb weight in the documentation. Sometimes called "shipping weight," this number represents what an empty car weighs when it leaves the factory. It also includes the weight of the vehicle’s standard equipment, fluids, and a full gas tank.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating:

This figure represents the maximum allowable weight of your vehicle, including occupants, fuel, fluids, optional equipment, and cargo — everything except for what you're towing on its hitch ball. It does not include trailer tongue/pin weight or actual weight being towed but covers any other load that may be carried in or on top of the vehicle.

The GVWR is usually found on the vehicle ID plate inside the driver's door jamb. You should never operate a vehicle beyond this rating. Doing so could severely damage axles while reducing braking effectiveness. It can also cause tire failure and prematurely shorten the transmission's lifespan.

Gross Combined Weight Rating:

The GCWR indicates the total allowable weight of a tow vehicle, its payload, and any trailers it's towing — including whatever's being towed. This rating is based on several factors:

• The power, radiator size, and transmission of the tow vehicle
• The axles and tires of the vehicle
• The chassis strength

Exceeding GCWR can significantly affect drivability in a tow vehicle. Notably, variants in mechanical components, such as gear ratios, could cause similar vehicles to have different GCWRs.

Gross Axle Weight Rating:

The GAWR is the maximum weight that can be supported by one axle. This helps determine the damage a fully loaded truck will do to your roads (and other people's cars) when driving over them with all your stuff in the back. It also tells you where to put heavy cargo so that weight gets distributed evenly between the front and rear axles.

Tongue Weight:

Tongue weight is the force a trailer exerts downward onto its hitch ball. It's typically expressed as 10 to 15 percent of the total trailer weight. Tongue weight depends mainly on where axles are placed under tow trailers and how strong their frames are built.

Gross Trailer Weight Rating:

The GTWR refers to the maximum fully loaded weight of a trailer, including all fluids and cargo. It is recommended that the weight of the loaded trailer be between 10-15% of GTWR at the coupling point. This rating helps classify trailers.

Hitch Types

Hitches connect a trailer to a towing vehicle. Below are the different hitch types:

Bolt-on Trailer Hitch:

The bolt-on hitch is ideal for light-duty to moderate-duty towing. It can be fixed or removed easily because it is attached directly to the vehicle's frame.

Fifth Wheel Hitch:

Mounted in the pickup truck's bed, this hitch is suitable for heavy-duty towing, such as large trailers or campers. It offers greater stability than any other type of hitch.

Fixed Tongue Hitch:

This hitch has a fixed ball mount and is non-adjustable, so there is little room for flexibility. However, it should be noted that it works best when used by drivers who always pull one kind of trailer behind their car or truck.

Gooseneck Hitch:

The gooseneck is like a fifth-wheel hitch but is designed mainly for commercial and agriculture-related towing activities. It allows tighter turns since it is mounted on the top side of the pickup truck bed.

Find a Honda for All Your Towing Needs in Bradenton

We recommend the Honda Ridgeline at Hendrick Honda Bradenton if you want a vehicle with excellent towing capacity. Swing by our dealership in Bradenton, FL, and let our friendly sales team help you find the perfect vehicle for your towing needs. We can also arrange a test drive for you.