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• Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a
trailer. Don’t drive faster than the maximum
posted speed for trailers, or no more than
55 mph (90 km/h), to save wear on your
vehicle’s parts.
• Don’t tow a trailer when the outside
temperature is above 100°F (38°C).
Three important considerations have to do with
weight:
• the weight of the trailer
• the weight of the trailer tongue
• and the total weight on your vehicle’s tires
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than 1,500 lbs
(680 kg). But even that can be too heavy.
It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For
example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature and how much your vehicle is used to
pull a trailer are all important. It can also depend on
any special equipment that you have on your
vehicle, and the amount of tongue weight the
vehicle can carry. See “Weight of the Trailer
Tongue” later in this section for more information.
Maximum trailer weight is calculated assuming
only the driver is in the tow vehicle and it has all
the required trailering equipment. The weight
of additional optional equipment, passengers and
cargo must be subtracted from the maximum
trailer weight.
You can ask your retailer for trailering information
or advice.
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important
weight to measure because it affects the total or
gross weight of your vehicle. The Gross Vehicle
Weight (GVW) includes the curb weight of the
vehicle, any cargo you may carry in it, and the
people who will be riding in the vehicle. If you have
a lot of options, equipment, passengers or cargo in
your vehicle, it will reduce the tongue weight your
vehicle can carry, which will also reduce the trailer
weight your vehicle can tow. And if you tow a trailer,
you must add the tongue load to the GVW because
your vehicle will be carrying that weight, too.
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