If you use your vehicle to tow everyday for work, then maybe you’re quite familiar with the concept of towing capacity. Otherwise, odds are you haven’t paid much attention to that at all. Why is it important? Well, for one thing, if you are planning to buy a car for the intention of pulling something from point A to point B, you should be able to tell how much or how heavy the car can pull, right? This article will explain how.
Hooking a trailer up to a tow vehicle for the intention of transferring stuff or traveling is a common practice and its cost-effective solution too. Or maybe you’re looking to buy a boat for the summer? You will definitely need a car to pull that boat to where you want to go. Whatever the reason for pulling something behind your vehicle, it’s important to get a basic idea of how your car can be able to do that. There are many details you must keep in mind, but one of the most fundamental elements to consider is of course, weight. Does your vehicle have the ability to tow your loaded trailer or boat? That’s where towing capacities come into play.
The towing capacity of a car refers to the maximum weight you can pull with a given vehicle. This rating, easily found within your vehicle’s owner’s manual, not only represents the weight of the trailer itself, but the weight of any cargo loaded within it. In fact, most manufacturers and dealers will not to tell you that your towing capacity is really a combination of everything inside of your vehicle, including occupants, cargo and fuel, as well as the combined weight of your trailer and whatever is in it.
It is important not to exceed your vehicle’s tow rating as it can cause severe damage to your vehicle or trailer and it can also put yourself and your passengers in danger too. So do choose a car that has a towing capacity that suits your needs and do not attempt to tow beyond what your car cannot handle.
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