How to Calculate Towing Capacity (Your Real Number)
Your real towing capacity is GCWR minus curb weight, but passengers, cargo, and tongue weight subtract from it. Here’s how to find your true number.
Payload vs Towing Capacity: The Overload Trap Explained
You can be under your truck’s tow rating and still be dangerously overloaded. Here’s why payload, not towing capacity, is often the real limit.
Tongue Weight Explained: The 10-15% Rule & How to Measure
Tongue weight should be 10-15% of loaded trailer weight. Learn why it matters, how to measure it two ways, and how it quietly eats your payload.
Curb Weight Explained: Where Every Towing Calculation Starts
Curb weight is your vehicle empty, fluids and full tank, no people or cargo. Here’s why it isn’t one number per model, and how it feeds your tow math.
Dry Weight vs GVWR vs UVW vs NCC: Trailer Terms Decoded
Dry weight, UVW, GVWR, NCC/CCC: four trailer terms, one clear reference. Learn which one to actually compare against your tow vehicle’s capacity.
Wet Weight vs Dry Weight: Why Loaded Trailers Weigh More
Wet weight is dry weight plus full water, propane, and cargo. Here’s what full tanks actually weigh, and the one number to check instead of either.
Tire and Loading Information Placard: Find Your Real Payload
Open your driver’s door right now. The yellow Tire and Loading placard has your truck’s real payload number. Here’s exactly how to read it.
Why Your Truck Squats When Towing (and What It Means)
Your truck sags when the trailer is hooked up. Here is what squat is actually telling you, and why leveling it does not raise any rating.
Towing Capacity by Vehicle: Real Worked Examples
Why two sites give your truck two different tow ratings, and the lookup that ends at a first-party answer for your own VIN. Worked examples inside.
Ford F-150 Towing Capacity: What 13,500 lb Requires
The 13,500 lb F-150 figure belongs to one configuration, not the nameplate. Ford’s own numbers, and the VIN calculator that answers for your truck.