Towing Terms to Know in Mukogee, OK

Towing 101 – Terms You Should Know

Buying a vehicle like the Chevrolet Colorado or the more powerful Silverado gives you the brawn to tow and haul an incredible load. Your owner’s manual likely includes guidelines that will help you stay safe when you’re towing, but if you don’t have a basic understanding of a few key terms, those guidelines may seem like a foreign language. Below are definitions of 10 towing terms you should know before you hitch a trailer to your new truck.

Basic Towing Terms

Max Towing Capacity: No matter how powerful a vehicle is, each has its limits. Max towing capacity is the heaviest weight your vehicle can safely pull behind it.

Payload Capacity: The maximum weight your vehicle can carry in the cabin and the truck bed.

Tongue Weight: This refers to the amount of force the trailer applies to the towing ball. It’s usually between 10-15% of the trailer’s total weight.

Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR): GCWR is the maximum combined weight of the towing vehicle, passengers, cargo, and trailer. Exceeding this amount will greatly compromise the drivetrain.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): GVWR is the maximum weight your vehicle can safely weigh, including its own weight (curb weight), passengers, cargo, and any additional accessories.

Curb Weight: How much your vehicle weighs before you load it up with passengers or cargo. Curb weight includes the weight of your vehicle with only the standard equipment, oil, coolant, and a full tank of gas, if applicable.

Tow Bar: A device used to allow your vehicle to tow another vehicle. It connects the two vehicles together as a hitch would connect a trailer to your vehicle.

Hitch Types

Hitches are the components used to connect a trailer to your vehicle. Depending on what or how much you’re carrying, you may find that you need different hitch types. Below are a few of the most common hitch types.

• Bolt-on Trailer Hitch: A hitch that is attached to the vehicle’s frame. These hitches are best used for light or moderate towing tasks.
• Fifth-Wheel Hitch: This hitch is designed for heavier loads, such as large campers or trailers. It is mounted to a reinforced section of the truck bed, offering enhanced stability.
• Gooseneck: These hitches are commonly used for commercial or agricultural towing. They offer a tighter turning radius and are mounted in the bed of a pickup truck in a similar manner to fifth-wheel hitches.

You can use these terms to help you understand the towing guidelines found in your owner’s manual or to help you make a more informed decision while you’re shopping for your next vehicle. For instance, if you’re looking for a vehicle that has the muscle to tow anything from a small trailer to a large boat, you’ll want a vehicle like the Chevrolet Silverado, which has models that can tow well over 13,000 pounds, and the HD models can tow even more. Visit Jay Hodge Chevrolet of Muskogee to find the truck with the towing chomps you need.