Ford Online Towing* Calculator Frequently Asked Questions

GVWR is the maximum allowable weight of the fully-loaded vehicle. This includes all options, equipment, passengers, and cargo. It appears on the Safety Compliance Certification label. This label is located on the door hinge pillar, door-latch post, or the door edge that meets the door-latch post, next to the driver seating position.

The gross vehicle weight must never exceed the GVWR.

For more information, see Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).

GCWR is the maximum allowable weight of the vehicle and the loaded trailer, including all cargo and passengers, that the vehicle can handle without risking damage.

Important: The towing vehicle’s braking system is rated for operation at the GVWR, not at the GCWR. Separate functional brakes should be used for safe control of towed vehicles and for trailers where the gross combined weight of the towing vehicle plus the trailer exceeds the GVWR of the towing vehicle.

The gross combined weight must never exceed the GCWR.

Tongue Load is a critical measurement that must be made before towing. It refers to the amount of the trailer’s weight that presses down on the trailer hitch. Too much tongue load or king pin weight can cause suspension/drivetrain damage and can press the vehicle down in the back, causing the front wheels to lift to the point where traction, steering response, and breaking can be severely decreased. Too little tongue load or king pin weight can reduce rear-wheel traction and cause instability, which may result in tail wagging or jackknifing.

Payload is the combined weight of cargo and passengers that your vehicle is carrying.

The maximum payload for your vehicle, as produced from the manufacturer, appears on the Tire and Loading Information Label. The label is either on the B-pillar or the edge of the driver's door. Vehicles exported outside the United States and Canada may not have a Tire and Loading Information Label. Look for “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg OR XXX lb” for maximum payload.

The payload listed on the Tire and Loading Information label is the maximum payload for your vehicle as built by the assembly plant. If you install any additional equipment on your vehicle, you must determine the new payload. Subtract the weight of the equipment from the payload listed on the Tire and Loading Information Label. When towing, trailer tongue weight or king pin weight is also part of payload.

For more information, see Payload Capacity.

Curb Weight is the weight of the vehicle including a full tank of fuel and all standard and optional equipment. It does not include passengers, cargo, or aftermarket equipment.

For more information, see Determining Vehicle Curb Weight.

Added weight is the total weight of all people, cargo, or accessories added to a vehicle after the initial sale. This includes the weight of all occupants including the driver, pets, cargo, luggage, tools, child seats, emergency equipment, aftermarket accessories (such as tools boxes, brush guards, tonneau covers), trailer towing components (such as ball mount, weight distribution hitch components, Fifth-Wheel hitch, etc.).

Cargo weight is all weight added to the Curb Weight, including cargo, luggage, and aftermarket equipment. When towing, trailer tongue load or king pin weight is also part of the cargo weight.

Max Loaded Trailer Weight is the highest possible weight of a fully-loaded trailer the vehicle can tow. It assumes a trailer tongue load of 10% (conventional trailer) or 15% (Fifth-Wheel/Gooseneck trailer). Inaccurate input values will lead to incorrect results.

Keep your loaded vehicle weight within its design rating capability, with or without a trailer. Exceeding any vehicle weight rating by overloading your vehicle or trailer hitch can adversely affect the performance and handling of your vehicle, cause vehicle damage, and can result in the loss of control of your vehicle, serious personal injury, or death.