GarageCalc 
Tow ratings by vehicle
Curated ratings by generation and year, with the configuration notes that the headline numbers hide.
Pickup trucks
Ford F-150
Up to 14,000 lb
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Up to 13,300 lb
Ram 1500
Up to 12,750 lb
GMC Sierra 1500
Up to 13,200 lb
Toyota Tacoma
Up to 6,800 lb
Toyota Tundra
Up to 12,000 lb
Ford Ranger
Up to 7,500 lb
Chevrolet Colorado
Up to 7,700 lb
Nissan Frontier
Up to 7,150 lb
Ford F-250 Super Duty
Up to 22,000 lb
Ram 2500
Up to 20,000 lb
Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
Up to 20,000 lb
Ford Maverick
Up to 4,000 lb
Honda Ridgeline
Up to 5,000 lb
Jeep Gladiator
Up to 7,700 lb
Rivian R1T
Up to 11,000 lb
Ford F-350 Super Duty
Up to 28,000 lb
Ram 3500
Up to 23,000 lb
GMC Sierra 2500HD
Up to 20,000 lb
GMC Canyon
Up to 7,700 lb
Tesla Cybertruck
Up to 11,000 lb
SUVs, crossovers & vans
Toyota 4Runner
Up to 7,300 lb
Toyota Highlander
Up to 5,000 lb
Toyota RAV4
Up to 3,500 lb
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Up to 7,400 lb
Jeep Wrangler
Up to 5,000 lb
Ford Explorer
Up to 5,600 lb
Honda Pilot
Up to 5,000 lb
Subaru Outback
Up to 3,500 lb
Chevrolet Tahoe
Up to 8,600 lb
Chevrolet Suburban
Up to 8,300 lb
GMC Yukon
Up to 8,500 lb
Ford Expedition
Up to 9,600 lb
Toyota Sequoia
Up to 9,520 lb
Toyota Land Cruiser
Up to 8,100 lb
Nissan Armada
Up to 8,500 lb
Hyundai Palisade
Up to 5,000 lb
Kia Telluride
Up to 5,000 lb
Subaru Ascent
Up to 5,000 lb
Ford Bronco
Up to 4,500 lb
Toyota Grand Highlander
Up to 5,000 lb
Dodge Durango
Up to 8,700 lb
Chevrolet Traverse
Up to 5,000 lb
Nissan Pathfinder
Up to 6,000 lb
Hyundai Santa Fe
Up to 4,500 lb
Kia Sorento
Up to 5,000 lb
Volkswagen Atlas
Up to 5,000 lb
Honda Passport
Up to 5,000 lb
Lexus GX
Up to 9,096 lb
Land Rover Defender
Up to 8,201 lb
Mazda CX-90
Up to 5,000 lb
Toyota Sienna
Up to 3,500 lb
Subaru Forester
Up to 3,000 lb
Hitch classes at a glance
| Class | Max trailer weight | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Class I | 2,000 lb | Bike racks, small utility trailers |
| Class II | 3,500 lb | Pop-up campers, jet skis, small boats |
| Class III | 8,000 lb | Mid-size travel trailers, car haulers |
| Class IV | 10,000 lb | Large travel trailers, heavy equipment |
| Class V | 17,000+ lb | Commercial and heavy-duty towing |
The four numbers that actually matter
- GVWR: max weight of the vehicle itself, loaded.
- GCWR: max combined weight of loaded vehicle plus loaded trailer.
- Payload: GVWR minus curb weight. Tongue weight eats into this.
- Tow rating: the manufacturer's published limit for your exact configuration.
Changing wheels or tires? Larger tires effectively raise your gearing and reduce usable towing grunt. Check diameter changes with the tire size comparison calculator before towing with a lifted or re-tired truck.
How it's calculated
Before choosing a trailer, read payload vs towing capacity. Its worked example shows how a trailer below the advertised tow rating can still exceed the vehicle's available payload.
Frequently asked questions
How is towing capacity determined?
The manufacturer rates each configuration using the GCWR: the maximum combined weight of the loaded vehicle and loaded trailer. Towing capacity is essentially GCWR minus the weight of the vehicle itself with passengers and cargo. That is why the same truck can have ratings thousands of pounds apart depending on cab, bed, drivetrain and axle ratio.
What does "when properly equipped" mean?
The headline number in ads applies to one specific configuration, usually the lightest cab with the strongest engine, a specific axle ratio and a factory tow package. A different cab or drivetrain on the same lot can be rated several thousand pounds lower. Always check the rating for your exact VIN.
What happens if I tow more than the rated capacity?
Brakes, transmission and frame are engineered around the rating. Exceeding it lengthens braking distance, can overheat the drivetrain, voids warranty coverage for related damage, and can create liability in an accident. The rating is a hard limit, not a suggestion.
Is tongue weight part of towing capacity?
Tongue weight (usually 10-15 percent of trailer weight) counts against your vehicle payload, not the towing rating. A truck can be within its towing capacity and still exceed payload once you add the tongue weight, passengers and gear. Check both numbers.
Towing in Australia? Ratings, terminology and the legal framework differ: see our Australian towing capacity guide (braked ratings, GVM, GCM and ball limits in kg).