Matching a Truck and Trailer

What You Need to Know

There are many terms associated with trucks and trailers, this can get complicated for new buyers. The first is the GVWR or the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. The GVWR is the rating that the truck can carry with all of the occupants and load.

One may ask, “How does the weight of the truck have anything to do with towing a trailer?” Well, one of the most important items to consider when towing is the stopping distance of the vehicle.

 

If more weight is added to the towing vehicle and then a trailer is added to that, then the stopping distance is increased. Take for example a Nissan Titan. The Titan is rated at towing 9500lbs with a payload of 2035lbs plus the trucks weight, or GVWR.

Specialty Trailer Tires VS Light Truck Tire

The truck can pull a trailer with a total weight of up to 9500 lbs. Trailers are rated in the same way as the truck, with gross trailering weight. This is the recommended weight set by the government and the trailer manufacture that the trailer can safely handle.

Truck Recommendation: 2020 Ford Ranger XLT 4D Crew Cab
Matching Truck with Trailer Towing
Great For Towing: New 2020 Ford Ranger XLT 4D Crew Cab

Another important thing to consider is tongue weight. This is the weight that the bumper can safely tow a trailer. Some choose to use the ball on the bumper set up to tow a trailer. This is acceptable and safe as long as the trailer tongue weight (weight of the tongue of the trailer when loaded) does not exceed the truck’s bumper tongue weight range. Most trucks have this labeled on the rear of the bumper.

The most common and safest way to tow a trailer is to use a frame-mounted receiver. This is a frame that contains a receiver in which the ball is attached to a metal arm that fits into the receiver. They range from a class 1-4, class 4 being the highest rating. This setup offers a more secure frame mount versus using the bumper to carry the trailer’s weight.

Extra Additions To Consider: DeeZee Tailgate Protectors

 

DeeZee has tons of accessories to protect your truck.
SAFETY TIPS

In order to tow a trailer safely, you must secure your load. This is important not only to avoid a ticket but also to keep your materials safe and secure. Most states can issue a “failure to secure load” ticket if they determine your load not secured properly. A rule of thumb is its better to over-secure a load than under-secure. Ratchet straps can be used or rope with the proper amount of tension to secure a load.

There are several important areas to be considered when matching a truck to a trailer. Take your time and cover all of your bases on weight ratings for the truck as well as the trailer. Consult manufactures of both to determine safe towing weights. You can never be too safe when towing is concerned.

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Company

Ford Motor Company

Website

ford.com

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Contact

Contact

Phone

(800) 241-3673

Address

One American Road

Dearborn, MI 48126

ABOUT Ford Motor Company®

Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 201,000 employees and 62 plants worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing, manufacturing, marketing, financing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs and electrified vehicles, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. At the same time, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities through Ford Smart Mobility, the company’s plan to be a leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience, and data and analytics.

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COMPANY DETAILS

deezee

Company

Dee Zee

Website

www.Deezee.com

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Contact

Contact

Phone

(515) 299-7377

Address

1572 NE 58th Ave.

Des Moines, IA 50313

ABOUT Dee Zee®

Dee Zee has been a staple brand in the truck accessory market since 1977. Based in Des Moines, Iowa, Dee Zee is trusted to support the biggest names in the auto industry as their Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) on a variety of products. If you take a closer look, you may see a Dee Zee finished product underneath a Chrysler, Ford, GM, Honda, Nissan, Subaru, or Toyota logo.

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