When the time comes to
choose a trailer for your car, truck, or SUV, it’s important to make a decision based on the types of materials you’ll be hauling. At the same time,
you should choose a trailer suitable for the vehicle doing the towing. To help
you make the best decision, the experts at Stallons Auto Sales have highlighted
a few of the top factors you should consider.
How Large Can My Trailer Be?
The answer to this question should be primarily based on your vehicle’s
specifications. All cars, trucks, and SUVs will designate a gross vehicle
weight rating or GVWR. The GVWR is the total amount of weight the vehicle can safely operate at, including
- The chassis,
- The engine,
- All Passengers,
- And anything else affecting the weight of the vehicle.
For example, if you have a 6,000 pound SUV with a GVWR of
8,200 pounds, you could tow 2,200 pounds. This means you need to learn the
weight of the trailer, which is known as the base curb weight. You would also
need to know the weight of whatever you’re towing with the trailer to ensure
you do not exceed the maximum recommended weight. Remember that you also need
to factor in the tongue weight when calculating how much you can tow.
Can I Tow It?
Just because you can fit something on a trailer and the total weight does not
exceed the GVWR doesn’t mean the trailer is built to tow it. Just like your
vehicle, trailers have ratings that determine how much payload they can safely
tow. The gross trailer weight rating, or GTWR, represents the weight of the
trailer plus the payload it can carry.
If you have a trailer with a GTWR of 7,000 pounds, and the trailer itself
weighs 3,000 pounds, it will support up to 4,000 pounds of payload. Even if
your vehicle is rated with the capability to tow 15,000 pounds, it won't work
if the trailer can't handle the payload.
Additional
Considerations When Choosing a Trailer
Depending on where you live, you may need to alter your calculations. If you
will be towing in a hilly area, reduce the payload. The ratings employed by
manufacturers are calculated using relatively flat driving surfaces. A steep
incline will put additional stress on your vehicle that may cause it to handle
unsafely or cause wear on the engine and brakes. Also, note that the tires on many trailers have speed ratings with
a maximum speed of 65 MPH.
Contact the Best Used Car Dealership at Stallon Auto Sales
Serving Hopkinsville, Cadiz, Princeton, and Campbell
Unless you have experience choosing a trailer for your
vehicle, it can be an intimidating process the first time. However, you’re not
alone! The experts at Stallons Auto Sales bring decades of experience helping
customers choose the best trailer for their vehicle. Contact Stallons Auto Sales today by calling 270-885-1631 to
learn more about our selection of trailers. 