Towing Terms to Know in Ardmore, OK

Towing with Your Toyota 101

If you own or are thinking of owning a Toyota model like the Tundra, Tacoma, or 4Runner, you probably have considered their abilities to perform as “workhorses,” whether on the construction site or campsite. These Toyota vehicles are powerful beasts, not just in terms of their driving performance but their towing capabilities as well.

If you are still green when it comes to towing, there may be some terminology you need to know to help you out in the long run. The team at Toyota of Ardmore has taken the time to lay out the most common towing terms for you here.

Towing Terms to Know

Max Towing Capacity: The maximum amount of weight your truck or SUV can safely tow. This number is determined by the vehicle manufacturer, taking into consideration the fully loaded weight of the vehicle (GVWR).

Payload Capacity: The maximum weight a vehicle can carry, excluding towing capacity, includes the weight of the truck bed, cabin, passengers, and cargo for trucks like the Tundra and Tacoma. For SUVs like the 4Runner, it includes the cabin, trunk, and the weight of passengers and cargo.

Tongue Weight: This is the pressure a loaded trailer expended onto the hitch of a vehicle. Tongue weight should ideally be 10% to 15% of the total trailer weight.

GCWR: This is the Gross Combined Weight Rating which is the utmost permissible weight of the towing vehicle, loaded trailer, and any passengers or cargo and determines whether the drivetrain can handle the load.

Curb Weight: This is the weight of a vehicle with OEM parts on a full tank of gas with all essential fluids filled. Passenger and cargo weight is not a factor in the curb weight.

Hitch Types

While you may metaphorically enjoy completing a task without a hitch, you will need a reliable hitch if you are to tow anything correctly. If you are new to towing, you may not realize that there are different types of hitches. Here’s a quick look at three common hitch types that you may need:

• Bolt-on Trailer Hitch: A hitch attached directly to a vehicle's frame. You use these hitches to tow lighter hauls.
• Fifth-Wheel Hitch: A hitch connected to a fifth-wheel trailer’s kingpin with a pivoting head plate. This is the optimal hitch for towing large campers.
• Gooseneck Hitch: A truck bed hitch that attaches to a gooseneck trailer with a hitch ball. You would typically need a gooseneck hitch for towing commercial or agricultural hauls like a livestock trailer.

Find a Toyota for All Your Towing Needs in Ardmore

Now that you have a better understanding of these towing terms, you can better optimize the full potential of your Toyota Tundra, Tacoma, or 4Runner for all your work and adventure needs. If you are looking for a Toyota vehicle capable of towing your adventure gear or work tools, then stop by Toyota of Ardmore to check out our selection of Toyota models with superb towing capabilities.