The beauty of trailer brakes is that they can significantly boost towing capacity. That's because a vehicle can safely tow a heavier load if the trailer has its own brake system. This all comes down to the fact that a trailer with brakes is easier to steer and stop.
A vehicle can tow a much heavier load under control if the trailer operates with its own brakes. Thus, braked towing capacity, or the amount your tow vehicle can tow if the trailer has its own brakes, is higher than unbraked towing capacity, or the amount your tow vehicle can tow if the trailer does not have brakes.
In order to increase your towing capacity, you'll need to upgrade your vehicle's performance. One way to accomplish this is to install a better exhaust system. An upgraded exhaust, along with new air filters, will increase your truck's towing ability.
A tow package offers an array of potential benefits, including: Higher towing capacity. Better handling. Improved safety while towing.
You can add weight to your vehicle by installing heavier parts, such as a stronger exhaust system or a heavier battery. Consider a GVM Upgrade: A GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) upgrade involves upgrading your vehicle's maximum weight capacity. This upgrade will allow you to carry and tow heavier loads safely.
Upgrading the suspension system is one of the most effective ways to increase the towing capacity of your vehicle. Installing heavier-duty shocks, struts, and springs will help support additional weight from a trailer while also providing additional stability. Install High-Performance Brakes.
If you need to tow a load that's heavier than what your standard licence allows, you will need to hold a category C1E licence - this allows you to drive medium-sized vehicles between 3,500 and 7,500kg MAM (with a trailer up to 750kg).
Towing capacity depends on several factors, including the vehicle's gross weight, braking power, axle weight rating, and even the towing hitch.
A truck's payload capacity refers to the maximum amount of weight you can safely add to a truck's cargo area in addition to its empty weight (or curb weight). Towing capacity, on the other hand, refers to the maximum weight that a truck can tow after factoring in the weight of the truck and any cargo.
For instance, if you add a second person to the cabin, the towing capacity goes down. Similarly, if you weigh more than 150 pounds, the towing capacity goes down. Likewise, if you add a family of four, a weekend's worth of gear, and a cooler full of ice and drinks, towing capacity goes way down.
To determine towing capacity, follow the steps below: Find the listed towing capacity of your vehicle as stated in your owner's manual. Subtract 10% as a safety margin. Most vehicle tow ratings were calculated without passengers, fuel and cargo, so Edmunds.com recommends subtracting 10% from the maximum tow rating.
Knowing the towing capacity of a vehicle is critical when choosing which model will work best for your hauling needs as well as determining what you will be able to haul with your current vehicle. You should always observe the listed towing capacity as it can be dangerous to exceed the limit.
Trailer brakes can help ensure safe and controlled handling. Depending on what (and where) you're towing, you might also need them to simply remain on the right side of the law.
It is common knowledge that trailers are prone to wind, weather, and road conditions that may cause sway as you are driving. Trailer sway is a major problem that can easily cause collisions. Trailer brakes help control your trailer with better precision to lessen the probability of your potentially swaying.
Towing Capacity: How Much Your Truck Can Pull
To find your truck's towing capacity, subtract your truck's curb weight from its Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating (GCVWR). The GCVWR is the maximum weight of your loaded truck and the weight of its attached trailer.
If you tow something too heavy, you place added strain on the engine, chassis, transmission and brakes of the vehicle.
In the 1-2-5-12 Rule, what does the "5" refer to? You must use a weight-distributing hitch with conventional trailers with a GTW of 5,000 lb or more or a tongue weight of 500 lb or more.
The brakes are applied by using the trailer's own weight to slow the movement. When you step on the vehicle's brakes to slow down, with this type of non-electrical trailer brake system, a hydraulic cylinder is compressed and pressure is transferred to the trailer brakes which slows down the trailer.
The safest way to increase payload capacity is to reduce weight. Removing the rear seats will buy you a few extra pounds of carrying capacity. Beyond that, if you must move a heavier load than your vehicle is rated to carry, rent something that can safely do it.
Add a leaf kits are not designed to increase your truck's payload capacity beyond this rating. Rather, they can help you optimize your truck's payload capacity, bringing it all the way up to the manufacturer's rating if it's not currently living up to that.
It is important to note that airbag suspension systems DO NOT increase the payload or tow capacity but change how the vehicle handles the load.
Currently there is no Australian Federal Government-approved engineering test to legally increase the towing capacity of a vehicle. As such we cannot increase the official towing capacity rating of a vehicle, we can only offer products that allow the vehicle to tow this weight more safely and effectively.
Power and Torque
Torque is the engine's twisting capability needed to pull heavy loads. Diesel engines produce more torque which means higher towing capacities compared to gas engines. This also means a smoother ride when towing heavy loads like a boat or trailer.