| Thinking about taking to the open road with a | | | | experts. |
| camper, trailer or other equipment hitched behind | | | | Cars tend to have lower tow rating than trucks, with |
| your car or truck? First make sure you know what | | | | light-duty trucks lower than heavy-duty models. |
| you can tow. Use this towing guide to learn about | | | | Vehicle manufacturers provide a tow rating in their |
| the various hitches available, protect your vehicle and | | | | owners' manuals; if you're unsure of your vehicle's |
| stay safe. | | | | tow rating or your state's towing laws Choosing the |
| Towing guide rule #1: Use the proper vehicle for hitch | | | | right towing hitch for your GTW. |
| towing. | | | | The three most common types of hitches: |
| Know the tow capacity of your vehicle and make | | | | • A weight-carrying towing hitch -- used for up to |
| sure it's sufficient for safe hitch towing. Check the | | | | 3,500 pounds GTW and 300 pounds of tongue |
| weight of the trailer being towed and then add the | | | | weight. • Weight-distributing hitches - used for |
| weight of the items you're towing. To be on the | | | | loads over 5,000 pounds GTW. • The fifth-wheel |
| safe side, add an additional 10 to 15%. This total | | | | hitch - similar to those used by 18-wheelers (but |
| number your gross trailer weight (GTW). Make sure | | | | much smaller). Used for towing RVs or large horse |
| your vehicle can handle that GTW. | | | | trailers. How to mount the towing hitch. |
| Learn the lingo of hitch towing. | | | | Hitches differ in how they mount. One type of |
| Other than GTW, there are several additional terms | | | | towing hitch is "invisible," while others mount in the |
| to know for safe hitch towing: | | | | bed of a pickup truck or flatbed. RK Chevrolet or |
| • Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is the | | | | your dealer can advise you about the types of |
| combined weight of a vehicle including passengers | | | | hitches and mountings available. Check towing laws in |
| and cargo. • Gross combination weight rating | | | | your state. |
| (GCWR) is the maximum allowable combined weight | | | | The truck experts at RK Chevrolet want you to be |
| of the trailer and its contents plus the tow vehicle | | | | safe, so feel free to contact them for further |
| and its contents. This number is key; too much | | | | information about hitch towing. Towing laws vary |
| weight means risking an accident or damaging your | | | | from state to state, so contact your state motor |
| vehicle. • Tongue weight (TW) is the amount of | | | | vehicle department for information about towing laws |
| weight your trailer presses down on the towing hitch. | | | | related to recreational towing in addition to this |
| Consult your owner's manual and the RK Chevrolet | | | | Towing Guide. |