CHOOSING THE RIGHT TOW VEHICLE
To safely tow a trailer, you need a tow vehicle with adequate horsepower, torque, weight and length. Some of these elements are reflected in the towing capacity that the vehicle manufacturer sets. The tow vehicle towing capacity must exceed the weight of the trailer when loaded. Using an under-rated tow vehicle is dangerous and illegal.
Start by choosing a tow vehicle that has a towing capacity higher than the trailer's gross vehicle weight rating. For instance, if a SUV has a 500-pound towing capacity, it should be able to tow a trailer up to a 500-pound GVWR. You can find your vehicle's tow rating online at www.campinglife.com or download a listing of tow ratings at www.trailerlife.com .
However, the towing capacity of tow vehicles generally is based on the ratings of the vehicle's components, such as wheels, tires, suspension and transmission. The vehicle manufacturer may not have factored in the pulling power of the engine. This is where you should take into account the vehicle's horsepower and torque.
The tow vehicle's engine creates torque and uses it to turn the crankshaft. The gears in the transmission convert this torque into a vehicle's horsepower, or its ability to pull a trailer.
While it's difficult to provide guidelines for what is enough torque and horsepower because it varies with trailer size and load, it is important to maximize both in your tow vehicle.
A vehicle with more torque can move more weight with less stress on the engine. This is important because towing a trailer puts a lot of additional load on the engine. This contributes to the wear and tear on the vehicle. More horsepower simply helps you get around more quickly and accelerate faster.
Generally, look for more engine displacement. A six-liter engine will give you more horsepower and torque than a five-liter engine. Larger engines are capable of dealing with heavier loads.
Many manufacturers will actually design a towing package for dealers. The package can include heavier duty components to accommodate towing heavy loads, such as the radiator, battery and transmission. They will also install the equipment necessary for hooking a rig to the vehicle.
Towing live animals places greater demands on the vehicle because the animals move around, shifting thousands of pounds to different places in the trailer. For live animals, experts recommend hauling 25 percent less than the vehicle's maximum tow rating.
Also consider the terrain where the towing will occur. Hilly terrain or unpaved roads place more stress on the tow vehicle and may require you to haul less than the vehicle's maximum tow rating.
