What You Need to Know Before Hitching Up a Trailer

[Bigredmariner]

Found this article over on pickuptrucks.com, pretty informative. Full story here.
There is more too the article but here is a teaser.

Pickup Trucks 101: What You Need to Know Before Hitching Up a Trailer

Posted by Mike Levine | January 29, 2010

By Justin Fort for PickupTrucks.com
Pickup trucks are simple, right? Not always. If you want to make casual motorists sweat, ask them to hook up a trailer. Hitching up a trailer can be intimidating but we're here to give you an introduction to a few basic things you might not know.
Frequently Used Towing Terms and Abbreviations
First, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with some common terms related to your truck’s weight ratings. (Please see our earlier story on this topic).
Gross combination weight rating, or GCWR, refers to your vehicle’s maximum loaded weight (gross vehicle weight rating, or GVWR), plus the trailer’s maximum loaded weight (gross trailer weight, or GTW).
Gross trailer weight is a loaded trailer's maximum weight. It's primarily dependent on a trailer's gross axle weight ratings but the trailer's tongue weight should be considered too.

 

[elcompaLalo]

Good find, even though I don't tow much it is still good to familiarize yourself with all the things involved.

 

[CJ Hungus]

 

[Zembonez]

The first sentence should be: You must know your ass from a hole in the ground. That would eliminate about half of the humans who might ever tow.

 

[CJ Hungus]

The first sentence should be: You must know your ass from a hole in the ground. That would eliminate about half of the humans who might ever tow.

its so true

 

[drperry]

Looks like common sense to me

 

[dirtyoldman]

Alot of it is common sense,alot of it is simple math.There are those out there who are just plain stupid,and you can't fix stupid

When towing my toy hauler I see guys going 70+ down the freeway pulling huge 3 axle trailers,I stay away from them.I tow 60+,never 65 or over.But I always have my grandkids in my burb and no way will I jeopordize their safety

 

[drperry]

I've overloaded my Blazer... But only the clutch/transmission, not the weight limits of the vehicle itself

My dad only went 55 with his suburban and 25 foot holiday trailer

 

[Alljackedup408]

me and my buddy did 105 in his powerstroke with a 3 axle trailer with a race car on it.... lmao.

not smart. but fun.