Towing 101 – Terms You Should Know

The Toyota Tundra and Toyota Tacoma are two of the most reliable trucks in their class. Built with powerful engines and durable bodies, these trucks are ideal for towing and hauling. Both models can make light work of challenging duties, whether you’re on an adventure or need to move equipment.

When you shop at Warrenton Toyota, you can explore the capabilities of Toyota’s lineup of capable trucks. Take a Tundra or Tacoma for a test drive and see for yourself what they can do. Our sales team can also help you purchase quality towing equipment for all occasions and needs.

But before buying your new truck, familiarize yourself with the basic towing terms below so you can make an informed decision.

Basic Towing Terms

Max Towing Capacity: All vehicles have a limit on how much weight they can tow. The maximum towing capacity is the most a vehicle can safely pull. Exceeding the max capacity can be unsafe and compromise the integrity of the vehicle.

Before you tackle any towing task, know what your truck can handle and how much weight you are pulling. The Toyota Tacoma can tow up to 6,500 pounds, while the Tundra has a max towing capacity of up to 12,000 pounds.

Payload Capacity: How much weight a truck can safely carry in its bed is the payload capacity. Toyota trucks can handle both moderate and heavy loads. The Tacoma, for example, has a maximum payload of 1,709 pounds. The new Tundra has a max payload of 1,740 pounds.

Tongue Weight: The tongue weight represents the force the trailer applies to the towing ball. In most cases, the tongue weight is approximately 10% to 15% of the trailer’s total weight.

Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR): The gross combined weight rating is the total weight of the towing vehicle, trailer, cargo, and passengers.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The maximum safe weight of the vehicle, its cargo, and passengers is the gross vehicle weight rating.

Curb Weight:The curb weight is the total weight of the vehicle you are driving. This includes all standard equipment and necessary fluids, such as oil, gasoline, brake fluid, and transmission fluid. It doesn’t include cargo and passengers.

Tow Bar: The tow bar is similar to a trailer hitch. It connects two vehicles such as your Toyota truck and a trailer or RV.

Hitch Types

Your Toyota truck should have the right towing equipment if you plan on pulling another vehicle. Various hitches are available for your model, depending on your needs. Our sales team can help you choose the one that makes the most sense for the tasks you have.

• Bolt-on Trailer Hitch: This trailer hitch is the most common type you will see for small to moderate towing jobs. It attaches directly to the vehicle’s frame. You’ll use this hitch on the Toyota Tacoma to tow small or midsize vehicles.
• Fifth-Wheel Hitch: The Toyota Tundra can use a fifth-wheel hitch. It mounts to a reinforced part of the truck bed and allows you to tow heavy loads and pull larger vehicles than a bolt-on trailer hitch would support.
• Gooseneck: Gooseneck trailer hitches are similar to fifth-wheel hitches in how they are mounted in the truck bed. They have a tight turning radius and are common in commercial and agricultural settings where you may need to pull a trailer with farming equipment or livestock.

Find a Honda for All Your Towing Needs in Warrenton

It’s not enough to have a capable truck with a high maximum towing capacity. You also need to make sure you have the right towing equipment and tools for the task. That is where the team at Warrenton Toyota can help. We can show you the different towing hitches for our trucks. Plus, we’ll explain important towing terms to you so you can purchase the right truck for your needs.

Both the Toyota Tundra and Tacoma are capable vehicles for light, medium, and heavy-duty towing and hauling tasks. Stop by our dealership in Warrenton, VA, today and check out our lineup of trucks and towing equipment.