How do I know if my car can tow a trailer?

Your car can tow a trailer only if the trailer’s weight and the load you carry stay within the vehicle’s official ratings. If the trailer weighs more than the vehicle is rated to tow, or if the combined weight of the car and trailer exceeds the vehicle’s limits, towing may be unsafe or illegal.

To determine this, you’ll need to pull several numbers from your vehicle and your trailer, understand what they mean, and do a few simple calculations. This guide explains the key ratings, how to compare them, and the practical steps to confirm whether towing is appropriate for your specific setup.

Key numbers you need to know

Before you start comparing, identify these ratings and weights from the vehicle’s documentation and the trailer’s specifications.

• Max towing capacity (also called max tow rating): the greatest weight your vehicle is approved to pull, found in the owner's manual or on the door jamb sticker.


• GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): the maximum weight the vehicle can be loaded to, including passengers, cargo, and gear inside the vehicle.


• GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating): the maximum combined weight of the vehicle plus the loaded trailer.


• Tongue weight rating (TW) or hitch rating: the downward force the hitch can safely handle, usually expressed as a percentage of the trailer’s weight (often about 10–15% of GTW) or as a fixed limit on the hitch.


• Payload capacity: the difference between GVWR and the curb weight (the weight of the vehicle with no passengers or cargo). This is how much weight you can add inside the vehicle for passengers and cargo without exceeding GVWR.


• Trailer weight figures: GTW (gross trailer weight, the trailer’s own weight plus cargo) and the trailer’s own braking requirements.

Interpreting these numbers together will tell you if you can tow safely. If the trailer’s weight or braking needs exceed the vehicle’s ratings, towing is not recommended.

How to determine if your car can tow a specific trailer

Use these practical steps to compare your vehicle’s ratings with your trailer’s weight and requirements.

• Compare the trailer’s gross weight (GTW) to the vehicle’s max towing capacity. The trailer should not exceed the vehicle’s stated max tow rating.


• Check the GCWR. Add the vehicle’s curb weight and any payload (people, luggage) to the trailer’s weight. If this total exceeds the GCWR, you cannot tow safely.


• Assess tongue weight. The trailer’s tongue weight should be within the hitch’s rating and typically around 10–15% of the trailer’s GTW for conventional trailers. Ensure the hitch and ball setup can handle this downward force.


• Account for payload inside the vehicle. Subtract any expected passenger and cargo weight from the vehicle’s payload capacity to ensure you won’t exceed GVWR once seated passengers and belongings are added.


• Confirm braking requirements and electrical compatibility. Heavier trailers may require brakes on the trailer and a functioning brake controller in the tow vehicle, along with proper wiring for lights and signals.

If any of these checks show exceedance or mismatch, towing is not advisable with your current setup. Adjust by using a lighter trailer, reducing internal load, or upgrading the tow vehicle or hitch components.

Practical checks before you tow

Beyond the numbers, verify the physical setup and safety features so you’re ready to tow responsibly.

• Use a hitch and ball rated for the trailer weight (Class II/III or higher as appropriate) and ensure the ball size matches the trailer coupler.


• Consider a weight-distribution hitch for heavier trailers to balance tongue weight and improve stability.


• Install a compatible trailer brake controller if the trailer has its own brakes, and ensure trailer brakes are wired correctly and tested.


• Check all lights, wiring, and brake circuits on the trailer, and connect the trailer to the vehicle’s electrical system before towing.


• Verify tire load ratings for both vehicle and trailer, and ensure proper tire pressure, jack, and safety chains are in place.

These checks help ensure that the towing setup is mechanically sound and compliant with safety standards and local regulations.

What to do if you’re unsure

If the numbers are close or you’re uncertain about calculations, consult the vehicle manufacturer’s guidance, contact the dealership, or seek advice from a qualified trailer and hitch installer. They can help you confirm whether your current car, hitch, and trailer combination is safe and legal to tow.

Summary

To know if your car can tow a trailer, identify the vehicle’s max tow rating, GVWR, GCWR, and hitch/tongue weight limits, and compare them with the trailer’s GTW and braking requirements. Ensure the trailer’s weight does not exceed the tow rating, that the combined weight stays under GCWR, and that tongue weight and hitch capabilities are appropriate. If any rating is exceeded or uncertain, avoid towing with that setup and consider alternatives such as a lighter trailer, a different vehicle, or professional assistance.

Can the VIN number tell me the towing capacity?

Yes, you can look up towing capacity by VIN, but it's best to use online tools from the manufacturer or find the VIN plate on the vehicle itself. The VIN provides the most accurate, factory-set ratings, which are crucial for safe towing, but don't account for any modifications made to the vehicle.
 
How to use the VIN to find towing capacity

• Check the VIN plate: Look for a sticker on the driver's side door pillar, under the hood, or on the dashboard. It will list important weight ratings like Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCVWR). 
• Use a VIN decoder: Online tools from manufacturers like Ford, Mopar, and others can provide vehicle specs, including towing capacity, when you enter the VIN. 
• Calculate using the VIN plate data: If the VIN plate doesn't list the combined weight, you can calculate it yourself. Find the difference between the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating (GCVWR) and the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). The result is the maximum trailer weight your vehicle can tow. 

Important considerations

• Vehicle modifications: The VIN-based information is for the vehicle as it came from the factory. Aftermarket additions like larger tires or running boards will change the vehicle's weight and reduce its payload and towing capacity. 
• Payload vs. towing capacity: Be aware of your vehicle's payload capacity, which is the maximum weight your vehicle can carry. You may reach the payload limit before you hit the maximum towing capacity. 
• Check the trailer's weight: Remember to check the trailer's weight and its VIN sticker as well. The trailer's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the maximum weight it can carry. 

Can all cars tow a trailer?

No, you cannot attach a trailer to any car, as some vehicles are not designed for towing and exceeding a car's towing capacity can cause expensive damage. However, most modern cars, including many electric vehicles, can have a trailer hitch installed, provided the trailer's weight does not exceed the vehicle's specific towing capacity, which is found in the owner's manual. 
This video demonstrates the process of connecting a utility trailer to a car: 1mMother Daughter Projects DIYYouTube · Jun 23, 2021
Before you attach a trailer:

• Check your towing capacity: Look up your vehicle's maximum towing capacity in the owner's manual or online. Do not attempt to tow anything heavier than your car is rated for, as this can cause severe damage to your engine and transmission. 
• Determine if your vehicle is tow-approved: Some vehicles are explicitly not recommended for towing, and accessory companies may not make hitches for them. 

What you'll need to tow:

• A trailer hitch: Your vehicle may have a factory-installed hitch, but you can also have an aftermarket hitch installed. 
• Trailer wiring: Most states require a wiring connection to make your trailer's tail lights, brake lights, and turn signals function correctly. 
• Safety chains: These are required in many places to act as a backup connection if the main hitch fails. 
• A drawbar and a tow ball: The size of the ball depends on the trailer's coupler. 

How to attach the trailer:

• Align the vehicle with the trailer: and slowly back up until the trailer's coupler is just above the tow ball. 
• Lower the coupler onto the ball, making sure it's securely latched. 
• Connect the safety chains: in a crisscross pattern underneath the coupler. 
• Plug in the wiring harness: from the vehicle to the trailer. 
• Test everything: to ensure the lights are working correctly and the connection is secure before driving. 

This video explains how to hook up a trailer to a car, including safety precautions: 1mAutoZoneYouTube · Jan 25, 2023

How do I determine if my vehicle can tow a trailer?

Most vehicles have the trailer towing capacity listed in the owner's manual, on the driver-side door jamb or in a trailer towing capacity guide on their website.

How do I find out if my car can tow?

You can tell if your car can tow by checking the owner's manual or the vehicle's compliance plate for its maximum towing capacity, which is the maximum weight it can safely pull. You can also calculate this by subtracting the vehicle's curb weight from its Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR). Additionally, a trailer hitch on the rear bumper is a good indicator that the vehicle is equipped to tow, notes Country Blacksmith Trailers. 
You can watch this video to learn how to calculate your towing capacity: 1mBig Rock MotoYouTube · Nov 4, 2020
Find your vehicle's towing capacity

• Owner's manual: This is the most reliable source for your vehicle's maximum towing capacity. 
• Vehicle compliance plate: Look for a sticker on the driver's side door jamb or in the glove box, which includes the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) and curb weight needed to calculate capacity. 
• Manufacturer's website: Many manufacturers provide towing guides on their websites. 

Calculate your towing capacity

• Subtract curb weight from GCWR: Your vehicle's towing capacity is the difference between its Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) and its curb weight (weight with all fluids, but no passengers or cargo). 
  • Formula: GCWR −negative− Curb Weight =equals= Towing Capacity. 
• Consider the payload: The towing capacity is the maximum weight of the trailer and its cargo. You also need to be aware of your vehicle's payload capacity, which is the maximum weight of passengers and cargo inside the vehicle. 

Know the weight of what you're towing

• Trailer's DGVW: Find the trailer's Design Gross Vehicle Weight (DGVW) on a plate on the trailer itself. 
• Compare weights: The DGVW of the trailer must not exceed your vehicle's towing capacity. 
• Recommended practice: It is recommended to stay within 80% of your vehicle's maximum towing capacity to ensure safety, according to Escapees RV Club.