Can I tow this? Your real tow limit, not the brochure max
A truck's advertised “max tow” assumes an empty cab and a stripped trailer. Load a family, some gear, and a real tongue weight, and the number that actually stops you is usually payload, not the tow rating. Set up your truck, set up your trailer, and this calculator checks all four limits and gives you the verdict — with the limit that binds.
1 · Your truck
What are you driving?
Where is my payload? The yellow door sticker, one specific line
Where is my rear GAWR? The white certification label
Not listed? — the math is exactly as accurate from your own figures.
From the driver's door-jamb sticker and your owner's manual / towing guide. Tow rating is required; the more you add, the tighter and more honest the estimate.
Where is this number? The yellow door sticker, one specific line
Where is this number? The white certification label
Your real load
Tow ratings assume one 150-lb driver (SAE J2807) — that's the prefilled value; raise it for your real crew and gear, or the “honest max” is really a lightly-loaded max.
2 · Your trailer
Conservative shortcut: enter the trailer's GVWR as the weight — you'll pack up to it eventually.
The brochure's “dry weight” is a trailer that's never been camped in. Add what you actually carry — we round up: overestimating the trailer is the safe direction.
Same math as the standalone trailer weight calculator — water at 8.34 lb/gal, ~55 lb per battery.
A measured tongue weight wins over our percentage estimate. No trailer yet? Leave this panel empty to see your truck's honest max instead.
3 · The verdict
Pick your vehicle, or switch to “Enter your numbers,” to begin.
Your inputs stay saved in this browser — to clear them.
Wrong number, clunky flow, or an idea? Send feedback — it opens your mail app with your current setup attached, so we can reproduce it.
The four limits — and why payload usually wins
Every tow setup is capped by the smallest of four independent limits. A calculator that shows only the tow rating hides the three that fail first:
- Tow rating — the manufacturer's headline max trailer weight, tested (2013+) to SAE J2807.
- GCWR — the max combined weight of the loaded truck plus loaded trailer. Fill the cab and bed and this shrinks fast. How GCWR works →
- Payload — everything the truck carries, including tongue weight (10–15% of the trailer). On half-tons this is the hidden ceiling: passengers plus tongue weight blow the payload before the tow rating is anywhere close. Payload vs towing →
- Hitch class — the factory receiver has its own cap. Classes I–V → Which class does your trailer need? →
We compute all four, round derived limits down to stay conservative, and tell you which one is binding — so you know exactly what to change. The trailer side matters just as much: estimate the loaded weight (never the dry weight) and check it against the trailer's own GVWR, because that limit doesn't care how strong your truck is.
Browse OEM-verified towing capacity by vehicle
Config-level towing capacity by engine, cab, and package — every number cites its source.
Safety note: results are estimates for planning only and depend on the numbers you enter. Always confirm against your vehicle's door-jamb sticker and owner's manual, and never exceed any single rating. Overloading affects braking, handling, and may void insurance.