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When you need a truck to handle your daily workload, you can trust our team at the Jay Hodge Chevrolet dealership to help you find a vehicle that meets all your needs. At our dealership in Sulphur Springs, TX, we’ll help you break down the most essential functions you should know before choosing your truck so you can feel confident that you’re making the right decision. Chevrolet trucks are known for their reliability and durable capabilities, so before you take home one of these trucks, you first need to understand the various towing terms to be prepared.
If you’re looking for a truck that can safely tow large loads, you need to know its maximum towing capacity. The towing capacity takes into account the engine power, chassis strength, and braking capacity. If you exceed the towing capacity, you could potentially damage your vehicle or unintentionally cause an accident, so it’s crucial for drivers to know how much their truck can tow safely before they start their journey. Trucks like the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 can tow up to 13,300 pounds, meaning the load you’re towing, including the trailer, cannot exceed 13,300 pounds.
A vehicle’s payload capacity is the combined weight of cargo, passengers, and any additional equipment that the vehicle hauls. Knowing the payload capacity is important because it determines how much the vehicle can haul safely. Overloading your vehicle can cause issues such as tire failure or taking longer to stop. It’s important to note that the payload capacity only considers how much the vehicle hauls on the inside or on the vehicle, not what’s towed behind the vehicle.
If you plan to tow a trailer, you should know your vehicle’s tongue weight because it directly impacts its maneuverability and stability when connected to the trailer. Proper tongue weight can be the difference between a dangerous journey and a safe one because improper tongue weight can lead to uncontrollable swaying and difficulty steering. Maintaining a tongue weight between 10% and 15% of the total trailer weight is recommended.
It’s also important to know your vehicle’s gross combined weight rating (GCWR), which indicates its maximum combined load capacity on the trailer, towing vehicle, and passengers plus cargo. When properly equipped, the Silverado 1500 has a maximum GCWR of 15,000 pounds, so you should keep the weight of your vehicle and trailer before that limit for safe and efficient traveling.
Even if you don’t plan to haul a trailer, you should still consider the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), which is the combined weight of the cargo, vehicle, passengers, and any additional accessories on or in the vehicle. Overloading your vehicle can lead to excessive wear and tear and poor performance.
Knowing which hitch to use when towing a load behind your truck is essential, which is why our team has broken down the most types of hitches:
This hitch is mounted to the bed of the pickup truck and connects directly to the fifth-wheel trailer, ultimately leading to better towing capacity and stability. This type of hitch is most commonly used for towing heavy trailers or large RVs.
When you need a hitch that provides a tight turn radius when towing loads such as horse trailers or large campers, the gooseneck is the choice. This hitch is mounted in the truck’s bed.
The fixed tongue hitch is ideal for those seeking a durable and reliable hitch. With its one-piece design and sturdy built-in tongue, you can trust it to transport your cargo securely. This hitch works best with small to medium-sized trailers.
If you plan to tow light to medium loads, you may want to consider a bolt-on trailer hitch that attaches directly to the vehicle frame.
The curb weight of a vehicle is the weight of the vehicle minus passengers and cargo. The curb weight includes the fuel and other standard equipment and helps calculate the maximum weight that your vehicle can handle.
If you plan to flat tow, which is when all four wheels of the towed vehicle are on the ground, then a tow bar will help securely connect the towing vehicle to the towed vehicle. A tow bar is commonly used for towing cars behind RVs or for recovery operations such as transporting other vehicles.
Come see us at the Jay Hodge Chevrolet dealership, and our team can help you determine which Chevrolet truck best meets your needs. With our guidance, you’ll have a better understanding of truck towing terms so you can take on your next adventure safely and efficiently.
