Calculate max payload/hauling capacity & maximum towing capacity of your truck. Fast, easy, & free!

Calculate max payload/hauling capacity & maximum towing capacity of your truck. Fast, easy, & free!

UPDATE:
Made a newer video on using a cat scale to get actual truck, trailer, and tongue weights. Check it out here. Thanks guys!

This is such a frequent question in the towing and camping forums and groups that I frequent that I felt like I needed to make a short video to answer the most asked about and possibly least understood numbers associated with new trucks. You cannot simply go with manufacturer or dealer promotional materials or advertisements that tout max tow ratings and assume that these ratings will be safe for your particular truck.
GVWR: gross vehicle weight rating: the maximum weight your manufacturer says your truck can haul on its two axles, including the weight of the truck and any tongue/pin weight from a trailer.
Payload/Cargo Carrying Capacity: the maximum weight your manufacturer rates your truck to carry total, including passengers in cab, cargo in bed, and any tongue or pin weight.
GCWR: gross combined weight rating: the maximum weight of both the truck and a towed trailer together.

I hope that at least a few people find this useful or helpful.
Stay safe, tow smart!

41 Comments

  1. @johnnymucholoveo604 on June 24, 2024 at 9:45 pm

    πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡πŸ˜‡

  2. @williamirizarry1113 on June 24, 2024 at 9:45 pm

    Now here you have a VERY important video that most likely many people probably overlook. If you get into an accident, and people get hurt or even die, you will probably be liable. Thank you!

  3. @chadoneal6188 on June 24, 2024 at 9:50 pm

    Fantastic video explaining this in the detail that is needed!

  4. @mikemrha9013 on June 24, 2024 at 9:51 pm

    Thank you

  5. @kenblair8268 on June 24, 2024 at 9:53 pm

    Thanks Drew for a clear explanation, and understanding, of all things involved in proper and safe towing. πŸ‘πŸ‘

  6. @ptcclatlptcclatl1683 on June 24, 2024 at 9:54 pm

    The payload capacity for a Ford includes a full tank of fuel and excludes the weight of the driver and passengers. Read and understand your vehicle manual to be safe.

  7. @jaybird7132 on June 24, 2024 at 9:55 pm

    The only person, on all of youtube, who could explain this. Congratulations and thank you.

  8. @drod103 on June 24, 2024 at 9:57 pm

    You’re awesome ! Perfect explanation

  9. @northlander4370 on June 24, 2024 at 9:58 pm

    I took my 2021 F150 Lariat with a full tank of gas and nothing else in it to my local dump scale , i jumped out and got a weight of 5470 pounds , my GVWR on the truck is 7050 ,the door jam sticker says i can carry 1649 pounds , with a full tank i believe my actual GVWR is really 1580 pounds . i tow a 20ft camper with a tonque weight of 420 pounds , with my wife and i in the cabin an my generator ,(100 pounds) and spare gas for the gen …about thirty-five pounds plus sometimes i carry a fifty pound jug of fresh water i believe it doesnt take long to exceed the limits of my truck .

  10. @rorotkt16 on June 24, 2024 at 9:59 pm

    Depend on your wheel & tires as well you could increase your tow capacity

  11. @seanjackson1888 on June 24, 2024 at 10:01 pm

    Great Video, and thank you!!!!

  12. @PirateMTH_ToddH on June 24, 2024 at 10:01 pm

    Great video.

  13. @TheCriticalChris on June 24, 2024 at 10:02 pm

    Should empty weight or curb weight include the weight of the driver & passengers?

  14. @smartdummy5751 on June 24, 2024 at 10:03 pm

    I was having a hard time understanding tongue weight.

    this equation helped me understand tongue weight:

    empty truck weight (including standard equipment, fluids, lubricants, etc.)
    + trailer weight = x

    tongue weight = x – empty truck weight

    tongue weight is basically how much your trailer weights in a scale without anything in it.

  15. @lifeontheroad_ on June 24, 2024 at 10:09 pm

    Actually a good video. So many do not understand how to safely tow with their vehicle. I was hoping you would hit on axle weight rating for front and rear.

  16. @mamadukes3n3 on June 24, 2024 at 10:09 pm

    This is the most informative video on this subject on Youtube. Thank you for producing something that answers all of our questions on payload/towing capacity/tire ratings in such an easily understood manner! You’ve really contributed to the safety of us all. Thanks again!

  17. @jerrylewis5989 on June 24, 2024 at 10:09 pm

    Chaola !

  18. @Podcastforthewin on June 24, 2024 at 10:10 pm

    Dude, thank you for this video man..

  19. @patriciapage3997 on June 24, 2024 at 10:11 pm

    This was very helpful in understanding how to calculate these figures.

  20. @robjohn6943 on June 24, 2024 at 10:12 pm

    Awesome, very helpful.

  21. @dwaynecheatom6859 on June 24, 2024 at 10:12 pm

    Very Very helpful bro! You definitely broke it down in layman’s terms with a calculator on hand lol vs Just blurting out numbers and letters the a new truck owner would barely understandπŸ‘πŸΎ

  22. @sergeantschlumpf6368 on June 24, 2024 at 10:12 pm

    mmm interesting

  23. @xaviergosselin8464 on June 24, 2024 at 10:13 pm

    Thank you

  24. @bauernoslrac on June 24, 2024 at 10:14 pm

    In your explanation at time 4:11, you say your truck can "only safely carry 2,490 pounds, and that includes you trailers tongue weight." So if your tongue weight is 800 pounds, does that mean you can only safely carry 1,690 pounds (2490-800)?

  25. @patrobosky4641 on June 24, 2024 at 10:21 pm

    So glad I found this information, thanks

  26. @gillcal on June 24, 2024 at 10:21 pm

    Great job.

  27. @dperr338 on June 24, 2024 at 10:22 pm

    I’m extremely annoyed that I can’t look up what my truck has by vin without paying for it. So fucking retarded. I don’t give a shit about the vehicle history since I already own the damn thing.

  28. @Karlife04 on June 24, 2024 at 10:22 pm

    Easy to understand. Thank you.

  29. @stevesmith8125 on June 24, 2024 at 10:23 pm

    Good info. I’m preparing to take our truck and travel trailer to the CAT scales. The tire info is something new for me. I’m learning all the time. We are new to RVing. Thanks.

  30. @jackas1583 on June 24, 2024 at 10:25 pm

    Thanks a lot.

  31. @chadb14 on June 24, 2024 at 10:30 pm

    This is the video I have been searching for. Thank you for doing this.

  32. @PatrickDcoldest on June 24, 2024 at 10:30 pm

    Great Video!! THANK YOU!!

  33. @dakotastorey8188 on June 24, 2024 at 10:30 pm

    This is awesome information! Thank you for this video!

  34. @rictech1325 on June 24, 2024 at 10:30 pm

    Great video ….

  35. @akashpatel8888 on June 24, 2024 at 10:32 pm

    thx bhalu

  36. @cdawgRJ on June 24, 2024 at 10:36 pm

    What an amazing video! I’m looking to purchase my first camper and this is extremely helpful

  37. @MajTom-wd2yt on June 24, 2024 at 10:40 pm

    If everyone did this BEFORE hitching up we’d all be safer on the road.
    I noticed at 6:45 the screw loop attachments for your safety chains. I used the same kind until I had a separation and came a whisker away from a total TV trailer separation. The threads failed and it was wide open. BSTS

  38. @Na0uta on June 24, 2024 at 10:40 pm

    the max payload includes weight of a full tank of gas and not occupants.
    those labels are not nessasarly unique, but will be really close to what you are allowed to do. yes it might be over or under by 100 lbs. But that’s just some margin of error when you are looking at 6k to 10k in weight.
    ford has a comprehensive chart and guide for determining your payload and weight on their website.

  39. @raylaux8295 on June 24, 2024 at 10:40 pm

    Tounge weight should subtract from that 19.6K Tongue/pin weight is payload. 5th wheel hitch weigh too. 5’er with a 2,000lb. pin weight dry won’t fly after you load the trailer and add more weight to the truck with your wife. LOL

  40. @kec2528 on June 24, 2024 at 10:42 pm

    I thought the payload sticker on the door included a full tank of gas but not any aftermarket add ons. Curb weight does not. Probably wrong though.

  41. @eh3aneh3an61 on June 24, 2024 at 10:42 pm

    πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚πŸ˜‚

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