Towing Capacity Calculator
Can your truck or SUV safely pull that trailer? Enter the ratings from the door sticker and owner's manual plus passengers, cargo and trailer weight, and check every limit at once: payload, GVWR, GCWR, hitch and tongue weight.
Last updated:
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: max loaded vehicle weight.
Gross Combined Weight Rating: vehicle + trailer.
Empty vehicle with fuel. A scale weight is best.
Trailer + everything in it (GTW).
How to use the Towing Capacity Calculator
- Find your ratings: GVWR and payload on the driver's door-jamb sticker, GCWR and towing capacity in the owner's manual.
- Enter curb weight (ideally from a scale) and the weight of passengers and cargo.
- Enter the loaded trailer weight, hitch type and tongue weight percentage.
- Check the results: towing margin, remaining payload, GCWR margin and tongue weight advice.
- Fix anything marked OVER by reducing cargo, passengers or trailer weight.
Towing formulas
- Tongue weight = trailer weight × tongue %. Example: 6,500 lb × 12% = 780 lb.
- Payload capacity = GVWR − curb weight. Remaining payload = payload − passengers − cargo − tongue weight.
- Combined weight = curb + passengers + cargo + trailer, which must stay under the GCWR.
- Max trailer by GCWR = GCWR − loaded vehicle weight (without tongue).
- Max trailer by payload = (payload left after people and cargo) ÷ tongue %.
With the defaults (7,050 lb GVWR, 4,900 lb curb, 750 lb of people and cargo), payload left for tongue weight is 1,400 lb, so at 12% the trailer could weigh up to 11,667 lb by payload; the 15,000 lb GCWR allows 15,000 − 5,650 = 9,350 lb, and the rated capacity is 9,000 lb, so the rated capacity is the real limit and a 6,500 lb trailer leaves a 2,500 lb margin.
Receiver hitch classes (typical ratings)
| Class | Receiver size | Max trailer weight | Max tongue weight | Typical vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class I | 1¼ in | 2,000 lb | 200 lb | Cars, small crossovers |
| Class II | 1¼ in | 3,500 lb | 350 lb | Crossovers, minivans |
| Class III | 2 in | 8,000 lb | 800 lb | SUVs, half-ton pickups |
| Class IV | 2 in | 10,000 lb | 1,000 lb | Full-size pickups and SUVs |
| Class V | 2–2½ in | 16,000+ lb | 1,600+ lb | Heavy-duty trucks |
Ratings vary by manufacturer; always use the lowest of the hitch, ball mount, ball and vehicle ratings. Weight-distribution hitches can raise the hitch's allowed limits but do not increase GVWR, GCWR or payload.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate how much I can tow?
Your real limit is the lowest of: the manufacturer's towing capacity, GCWR minus the loaded vehicle weight, the hitch rating, and the trailer weight whose tongue weight still fits in your remaining payload. Many trucks run out of payload before they reach the advertised towing capacity.
What is the difference between GVWR and GCWR?
GVWR is the maximum the tow vehicle itself may weigh, including passengers, cargo and the trailer's tongue weight. GCWR is the maximum for the vehicle and the trailer combined. Both must be respected.
How much tongue weight should a trailer have?
For bumper-pull and receiver hitch trailers, tongue weight should be about 10–15% of the loaded trailer weight. Fifth-wheel and gooseneck trailers usually put 15–25% of their weight on the pin. Too little tongue weight can cause dangerous sway.
Does tongue weight count against payload?
Yes. The tongue or pin weight rests on the tow vehicle, so it uses up payload just like passengers and cargo. A 6,500 lb trailer at 12% puts 780 lb on the hitch.
What is the 80% towing rule?
A common rule of thumb is to keep the loaded trailer at or below about 80% of the rated towing capacity, leaving a margin for wind, hills, braking and estimation errors. It is guidance, not a legal limit.
Where do I find my vehicle's weight ratings?
GVWR and the payload ("combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed") are on the tire and loading sticker on the driver's door jamb. GCWR and towing capacity are in the owner's manual or the manufacturer's towing guide for your exact configuration.
Is this calculator a substitute for weighing my rig?
No. It helps you plan, but real weights often differ from brochure numbers. Weigh the loaded truck and trailer at a public scale and always follow your vehicle's and hitch's ratings and local towing laws.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.