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How to Find Your Tow Rating

Looking to buy a trailer but not sure how much your vehicle can tow? Well here's a simple guide to finding your tow rating. The tow rating is basically your towing capacity. There are various abbreviations you may want to know when calculating your tow rating.

G.V.W.R.

GVWR stands for gross vehicle weight rating. Essentially it is the maximum weight of your vehicle or trailer while loading. This number includes the weight of the vehicle/trailer.

G.C.W.R.

GCWR stands for gross combined weight rating. Essentially it is the maximum weight of your vehicle when a trailer is attached and loaded.

G.A.W.R.

GAWR stands for gross axle weight rating. Essentially is it the maximum weight that can be loaded on any of your axles, for both trailers and vehicles. Typically your front axle will have a different rating than your rear axle.

G.T.W.

GTW stands for gross trailer weight. Essentially this is the total weight of a fully loaded trailer.

T.W.

TW stands for tongue weight. Essentially your tongue weight is how much total force can be put on the tongue/trailer hitch of the vehicle safely. Often the weight depends on where/how you load cargo in your trailer.

Payload Capacity

Your payload capacity is the maximum amount of weight your vehicle can tow. This includes cargo and passengers. Payload capacity is only applicable to your vehicle, not your trailer.

How do I find my towing capacity?

  1. Look at your VIN sticker to find your curb weight.
  2. Add weight of passengers and anything else that may be inside your vehicle.
  3. Subtract this number from your vehicles GCWR(Gross Combined Weight Rating).
  4. Make sure your tongue, axles and hitch can handle the weight.

Why Do I Need to Know My Tow Rating?

This information is vitally important because if you ignore your tow limit, you may cause frame, transmission, engine or tire damage. Keeping your tow capacity in mind will help ensure the longevity of both your vehicle and trailer in the long run.

Still need help finding your towing capacity?

Try out this handy online tool How Much Can My Vehicle Tow? from Explore USA RV Supercenter.

About the Author

Hi, I’m Johnny Shelton with NC Trailers, the #1 rated trailer dealer in the Carolinas. With over 300 trailers in stock, we’ve proudly served contractors, adventure seekers, and everyone in between since 1996. Having sold and serviced over 10,000 trailers, we’re grateful for the trust our customers have placed in us. We’re committed to using our experience to help you succeed in all your trailer and towing needs. Let’s thrive together!

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Trailer Prelim Financing Blog
First Last N. profile pictureFirst Last N.
12:41 13 Apr 25
Nctrailers Team are awesome !!! Sam the sales representative was very helpful on the phone and when I should up on site. Shanice with my contract. Tammy explaining each process during the DMV registration and paperwork. Ryan was very patient in the pouring rain preparing and getting me connected to the truck and doing the safety checks 5 times to make sure no issues. Thanks nctrailers of Thomasville for professionalism and attention to detail. I definitely be seeing you guys in a few months for a car trailer .
First Last N. profile pictureFirst Last N.
12:41 13 Apr 25
Nctrailers Team are awesome !!! Sam the sales representative was very helpful on the phone and when I should up on site. Shanice with my contract. Tammy explaining each process during the DMV registration and paperwork. Ryan was very patient in the pouring rain preparing and getting me connected to the truck and doing the safety checks 5 times to make sure no issues. Thanks nctrailers of Thomasville for professionalism and attention to detail. I definitely be seeing you guys in a few months for a car trailer .
Desiree B. profile pictureDesiree B.
18:02 12 Apr 25
Had the pleasure of buying our first trailer for our new business from them this weekend. And let me say I can’t say enough about this company. From the first call with Donna, till we drove off the lot hooked up, they were absolutely amazing! Their inventory is intensive yes, but the customer service is extraordinary! Our purchase experience start with a transfer to Zach who was welcoming and extremely knowledgeable! Shancie took care of the financing and made everything so easy and simple, and Tammy was fast with our paperwork! Noah and Ryan went above and beyond for the install and hookup of all the accessories we choose! These folks are the best around and hire the most wonderful crew! Highly recommend them for any trailer purchase or service needs!
Desiree B. profile pictureDesiree B.
18:02 12 Apr 25
Had the pleasure of buying our first trailer for our new business from them this weekend. And let me say I can’t say enough about this company. From the first call with Donna, till we drove off the lot hooked up, they were absolutely amazing! Their inventory is intensive yes, but the customer service is extraordinary! Our purchase experience start with a transfer to Zach who was welcoming and extremely knowledgeable! Shancie took care of the financing and made everything so easy and simple, and Tammy was fast with our paperwork! Noah and Ryan went above and beyond for the install and hookup of all the accessories we choose! These folks are the best around and hire the most wonderful crew! Highly recommend them for any trailer purchase or service needs!
Mitch O. profile pictureMitch O.
12:47 12 Apr 25
I would like to take a minute and recognize several people at NC trailers. From the start it was Zach & Sam in sales which went above and beyond the process of helping me pick the correct trailer and helping me complete all necessary paperwork when I was literally 1800 miles away driving down the road.

Shanice in financing made financing the trailer simple and quick, and behind the scenes Tammy in tag/title department was doing her magic so it all came together as one cohesive unit the day of picking the trailer up.

Speaking of picking up the trailer, Ryan & Noah truly went above and beyond expectations working in the pouring rain, while not compromising standards of making sure everything went smoothly and that I was hooked up correctly while taking the time to fully go over every aspect of the trailer and how to hook and unhook the trailer.

Tyler in Service & Parts was very helpful with information regarding the Gooseneck hitch for my next trailer.

Thank you to each Team member of NC trailers. I HIGHLY recommend this company to anyone needing a trailer.

So, if you need any type of trailer, accessory or even a repair, NC trailers should be your First and only stop. They truly make you feel like Family and the trailers are rated top in the Industry and priced very reasonably.

Head on over to NC trailers and get your trailer today. Tell them Mitch with a “M” not a “B” sent you, and you should receive an extra smile or two.
Mitch O. profile pictureMitch O.
12:47 12 Apr 25
I would like to take a minute and recognize several people at NC trailers. From the start it was Zach & Sam in sales which went above and beyond the process of helping me pick the correct trailer and helping me complete all necessary paperwork when I was literally 1800 miles away driving down the road.

Shanice in financing made financing the trailer simple and quick, and behind the scenes Tammy in tag/title department was doing her magic so it all came together as one cohesive unit the day of picking the trailer up.

Speaking of picking up the trailer, Ryan & Noah truly went above and beyond expectations working in the pouring rain, while not compromising standards of making sure everything went smoothly and that I was hooked up correctly while taking the time to fully go over every aspect of the trailer and how to hook and unhook the trailer.

Tyler in Service & Parts was very helpful with information regarding the Gooseneck hitch for my next trailer.

Thank you to each Team member of NC trailers. I HIGHLY recommend this company to anyone needing a trailer.

So, if you need any type of trailer, accessory or even a repair, NC trailers should be your First and only stop. They truly make you feel like Family and the trailers are rated top in the Industry and priced very reasonably.

Head on over to NC trailers and get your trailer today. Tell them Mitch with a “M” not a “B” sent you, and you should receive an extra smile or two.
Anthony T. profile pictureAnthony T.
21:34 10 Apr 25
Awesome place to do business!
Anthony T. profile pictureAnthony T.
21:34 10 Apr 25
Awesome place to do business!
Shaun O. profile pictureShaun O.
04:19 09 Apr 25
I have to say I had great experience with the staff at NCtrailers in Thomasville, NC. The staff up there were amazing. I had the pleasure of being David’s first sale for his new career dealing in this type of equipment. He has had many years in sales and it shows but he decided to venture into a new atmosphere of sales. Working through the contract side of things Shanice was very thorough and was able to give me all the details I needed. She was so inviting and made you feel comfortable through would could be a stressful process.

Tammy was a sweetheart with the tag and title paper work and talked me through all the necessary links and info I would need to setup the last little bit of info.

Ryan and Noah had me all hooked up and ready to go and even took the time to help me find a short in my connection on my truck so I would be comfortable knowing all the lights and everything worked properly on the new trailer.

All in all I had a great experience with the entire staff from parts to sales to service. I will most definitely be recommending them to anyone I know for their trailer needs.

Now wish me luck on my lawn care company venture.
Lawn Legends LLC.
Shaun O. profile pictureShaun O.
04:19 09 Apr 25
I have to say I had great experience with the staff at NCtrailers in Thomasville, NC. The staff up there were amazing. I had the pleasure of being David’s first sale for his new career dealing in this type of equipment. He has had many years in sales and it shows but he decided to venture into a new atmosphere of sales. Working through the contract side of things Shanice was very thorough and was able to give me all the details I needed. She was so inviting and made you feel comfortable through would could be a stressful process.

Tammy was a sweetheart with the tag and title paper work and talked me through all the necessary links and info I would need to setup the last little bit of info.

Ryan and Noah had me all hooked up and ready to go and even took the time to help me find a short in my connection on my truck so I would be comfortable knowing all the lights and everything worked properly on the new trailer.

All in all I had a great experience with the entire staff from parts to sales to service. I will most definitely be recommending them to anyone I know for their trailer needs.

Now wish me luck on my lawn care company venture.
Lawn Legends LLC.
Conard B. profile pictureConard B.
14:22 07 Mar 25
The staff was very helpful and motivated I went back and forth with two trailers figuring prices and add ons they were very patient and provide me with two different layouts for two different prices. I finally made my decision. I would highly recommend for your next trailer go too NC trailer sales.
Conard B. profile pictureConard B.
14:22 07 Mar 25
The staff was very helpful and motivated I went back and forth with two trailers figuring prices and add ons they were very patient and provide me with two different layouts for two different prices. I finally made my decision. I would highly recommend for your next trailer go too NC trailer sales.

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