Drivers across the U.S. count on Ford for hearty towing power, and whenever it’s time to tow a boat or trailer, you can trust a Ford truck or SUV to get the job done. It’s important to know the ins and outs of towing before you ever hitch your trailer, and at Jim Taylor Ford, we’re here to help. Take a look at these essential towing terms and definitions to make informed decisions about all your trailering tasks.
This is the manufacturer-provided rating for how much a vehicle can tow. This number is important to know before you pull a heavy trailer.
Basic pull-behind towing via a tow ball or similar hitch, remaining within the vehicle’s weight limits.
Towing is the act of pulling something behind a vehicle, and carrying is the act of hauling something within the vehicle or truck bed.
This manufacturer-provided number is the vehicle’s weight with no passengers or cargo.
This is the maximum weight that a vehicle is capable of moving, including the weight of passengers and cargo as well as the trailer tongue weight.
Payload capacity is the weight a vehicle is capable of carrying, and tow capacity is the weight a vehicle can pull.
This is the total weight of the vehicle plus its payload and trailer with cargo.
The maximum weight supported by a single axle affects cargo distribution.
This figure is the force that the trailer applies to the tow hitch, generally 9 to 15 percent of the total trailer weight.
Used to determine trailer class, this number is the maximum weight of a loaded trailer, including cargo and fluids.
Whenever you need to tow a trailer, you’ll find the right vehicle for the job here at our Ford dealership in Ruston, Louisiana. Visit us at Jim Taylor Ford to explore all the options on our lot. We’re confident that there’s a Ford pickup truck that’s fit for your goals, and it can be yours for a low price.
