Does towing capacity include weight inside a vehicle?
The towing capacity is the maximum weight of a trailer the vehicle can pull, and it does not include the weight of people or cargo inside the towing vehicle itself. However, the vehicle’s total allowable weight is governed by the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR); if you carry passengers or cargo, that internal weight reduces how much trailer weight you can safely tow.
Understanding the numbers behind towing
To gauge how much you can tow, it helps to know how the related ratings interact. Below are the key terms you’ll encounter in manufacturer specifications and on vehicle labels.
GVWR vs GCWR
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) is the maximum safe weight of the vehicle itself, including passengers and cargo inside. GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) is the maximum safe weight when the vehicle is attached to a trailer—i.e., the sum of the vehicle’s weight plus the trailer’s weight. Your payload inside the vehicle reduces the remaining headroom for trailer weight under the GCWR.
Tongue weight and trailer weights
Tongue weight is the portion of the trailer’s weight that rests on the hitch of the tow vehicle. It typically ranges from about 10% to 15% of the Gross Trailer Weight (GTW). The hitch and suspension components have limits for tongue weight, and exceeding them can affect steering, braking, and overall stability.
Key terms to know when evaluating towing capacity
Before applying a rating to a real-world load, become familiar with these definitions so you can interpret labels and stickers accurately.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): maximum allowed weight of the vehicle, including its own weight plus passengers and cargo inside the cabin and cargo area.
- Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR): maximum allowable weight for the vehicle plus any attached trailer.
- Gross Trailer Weight (GTW): total weight of the trailer plus its contents when attached to the tow vehicle.
- Tongue Weight (TW): the portion of GTW that rests on the hitch (usually 10–15% of GTW).
- Payload Capacity: the amount of weight you can carry inside the vehicle without exceeding GVWR (GVWR minus curb weight and any added loads).
These figures work together to determine safe towing practice. If you load the vehicle heavily inside, you reduce the amount of trailer you can tow while staying within GCWR and GVWR.
Practical guidelines for safe towing
Use these steps to assess a safe towing setup for a given trip, especially when you’re carrying passengers or extra cargo inside the vehicle.
- Check the GCWR in the owner’s manual or on the door jamb sticker to know the combined limit for vehicle plus trailer.
- Subtract your current payload (passengers and cargo inside the vehicle) from the GVWR to determine how much internal weight remains before hitting the GVWR.
- Determine the trailer’s GTW and tongue weight, and ensure both stay within the vehicle’s hitch and axle limits.
- Verify the trailer’s braking and lighting requirements match the vehicle’s electrical system and braking capacity if applicable.
By following these steps, you’ll avoid pushing the vehicle beyond its safe operating envelope and maintain better control while towing.
Summary
In short, towing capacity refers to how much weight a vehicle can pull as a trailer, and it does not include the weight inside the tow vehicle. The internal weight (payload) matters because it reduces the available headroom under the GCWR and GVWR. Always consult your vehicle’s manual for the specific GCWR, GVWR, and hitch-related limits, and account for tongue weight and trailer weight when planning a tow.
Is towing capacity included in GVWR?
No, GVWR is not the same as towing capacity; they are distinct and crucial for safe towing. GVWR is the maximum weight a vehicle can be when fully loaded, while towing capacity is the maximum weight a vehicle can pull. To calculate towing capacity, you need to use the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR), not the GVWR, and subtract the vehicle's curb weight.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
- What it is: The maximum safe weight of a vehicle plus all its contents, including passengers, cargo, and fuel.
- For trailers: It's the maximum weight the trailer can be, including its own weight plus everything inside it.
- Where to find it: On a sticker inside the driver's door pillar or in the owner's manual.
Towing capacity
- What it is: The maximum weight a vehicle is capable of pulling, which is the amount of weight a vehicle can tow behind it.
- How to calculate it: Subtract the vehicle's curb weight (its own weight with fluids, but no passengers or cargo) from the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).
- GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating): The maximum allowed weight of the vehicle and trailer combined.
Why both are important
- Exceeding the GVWR can happen even if the trailer's weight is within your towing capacity. This is because the total weight of your truck (including passengers and cargo) plus the trailer's tongue weight counts against the GVWR.
- You must ensure that the total weight of the truck and the trailer remains below the GCWR, and that the loaded truck itself does not exceed its GVWR.
Do you subtract truck weight from towing capacity?
Towing Capacity is found by subtracting the truck's curb weight from the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating (GCVWR), which factors in the loaded truck plus the trailer's weight.
Does towing capacity include weight in the car?
No, towing capacity does not include your vehicle's weight; it's the maximum weight of the trailer your vehicle can pull. To find your maximum towing capacity, you must subtract your vehicle's curb weight (its weight with fluids but no passengers or cargo) from the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating (GCVWR) (the total maximum weight of the vehicle and trailer combined).
Key terms explained
- Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating (GCVWR): The maximum total weight of the fully loaded vehicle and trailer combined. This is a manufacturer-set limit that accounts for the stresses on the entire system.
- Curb Weight: The weight of your vehicle when it's ready to drive, including all necessary fluids, but with no passengers or cargo.
- Payload: The weight of your passengers and any cargo you place inside the vehicle. This is a separate limit from towing capacity and is often overlooked.
How to calculate your towing capacity
- Find the GCVWR for your vehicle, usually in the owner's manual or on a sticker on the driver's side doorjamb.
- Find the curb weight of your vehicle.
- Subtract the curb weight from the GCVWR to find your vehicle's maximum towing capacity.
- Formula: Towing Capacity = GCVWR - Curb Weight
- Crucially, remember to also subtract the weight of all your payload: (passengers and cargo in the vehicle) from the calculated towing capacity before adding anything to the trailer.
Does towing capacity include occupants?
It accounts for the total mass of both the towing vehicle and the trailer/caravan/boat, including passengers, cargo, fuel, and any additional accessories.
