Ford Towing Capacity Calculator
Use this calculator to estimate your Ford vehicle's towing capacity and ensure you stay within safe limits. Input your vehicle's specifications and your planned load to determine if you're within the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).
Towing Calculation Results:
Total Trailer Weight: 0 lbs
Estimated Tongue Weight: 0 lbs
Total Vehicle Weight (Loaded): 0 lbs
Total Combined Weight (Loaded): 0 lbs
Remaining Payload Capacity: 0 lbs
Remaining GCWR Capacity: 0 lbs
GVWR Status: N/A
GCWR Status: N/A
Maximum Additional Trailer Weight Allowed: 0 lbs
This is the maximum additional trailer weight you could add to your current setup without exceeding GVWR or GCWR, assuming the same tongue weight percentage.
function calculateTowingCapacity() {
var vehicleCurbWeight = parseFloat(document.getElementById('vehicleCurbWeight').value);
var gvwr = parseFloat(document.getElementById('gvwr').value);
var gcwr = parseFloat(document.getElementById('gcwr').value);
var trailerWeight = parseFloat(document.getElementById('trailerWeight').value);
var trailerCargoWeight = parseFloat(document.getElementById('trailerCargoWeight').value);
var tongueWeightPercent = parseFloat(document.getElementById('tongueWeightPercent').value);
var driverPassengerWeight = parseFloat(document.getElementById('driverPassengerWeight').value);
var vehicleCargoWeight = parseFloat(document.getElementById('vehicleCargoWeight').value);
var hitchWeight = parseFloat(document.getElementById('hitchWeight').value);
// Validate inputs
if (isNaN(vehicleCurbWeight) || isNaN(gvwr) || isNaN(gcwr) || isNaN(trailerWeight) ||
isNaN(trailerCargoWeight) || isNaN(tongueWeightPercent) || isNaN(driverPassengerWeight) ||
isNaN(vehicleCargoWeight) || isNaN(hitchWeight)) {
alert('Please enter valid numbers for all fields.');
return;
}
// Ensure tongueWeightPercent is not zero or negative for division
if (tongueWeightPercent <= 0) {
tongueWeightPercent = 10; // Default to 10% if invalid, or handle as an error
document.getElementById('tongueWeightPercent').value = 10; // Update input field
}
// 1. Calculate Total Trailer Weight
var totalTrailerWeight = trailerWeight + trailerCargoWeight;
// 2. Calculate Estimated Tongue Weight
var estimatedTongueWeight = totalTrailerWeight * (tongueWeightPercent / 100);
// 3. Calculate Total Vehicle Weight (Loaded)
var totalVehicleWeightLoaded = vehicleCurbWeight + driverPassengerWeight + vehicleCargoWeight + estimatedTongueWeight + hitchWeight;
// 4. Calculate Total Combined Weight (Loaded)
var totalCombinedWeightLoaded = totalVehicleWeightLoaded + totalTrailerWeight;
// 5. Calculate Remaining Payload Capacity
var remainingPayloadCapacity = gvwr – totalVehicleWeightLoaded;
// 6. Calculate Remaining GCWR Capacity
var remainingGCWRCapacity = gcwr – totalCombinedWeightLoaded;
// 7. Determine GVWR Status
var gvwrStatus = (totalVehicleWeightLoaded <= gvwr) ? '
Within Limits' : '
EXCEEDED!';
// 8. Determine GCWR Status
var gcwrStatus = (totalCombinedWeightLoaded <= gcwr) ? '
Within Limits' : '
EXCEEDED!';
// 9. Calculate Maximum Additional Trailer Weight Allowed
// This is the minimum of two limits:
// a) Max trailer weight based on remaining GCWR capacity
// b) Max trailer weight based on remaining payload capacity (due to tongue weight)
var maxTrailerWeightBasedOnGCWR = Math.max(0, gcwr – totalVehicleWeightLoaded);
var maxTrailerWeightBasedOnPayload = Math.max(0, remainingPayloadCapacity / (tongueWeightPercent / 100));
var maxAdditionalTrailerWeight = Math.min(maxTrailerWeightBasedOnGCWR, maxTrailerWeightBasedOnPayload);
// Display results
document.getElementById('totalTrailerWeightOutput').innerText = totalTrailerWeight.toFixed(0);
document.getElementById('estimatedTongueWeightOutput').innerText = estimatedTongueWeight.toFixed(0);
document.getElementById('totalVehicleWeightLoadedOutput').innerText = totalVehicleWeightLoaded.toFixed(0);
document.getElementById('totalCombinedWeightLoadedOutput').innerText = totalCombinedWeightLoaded.toFixed(0);
document.getElementById('remainingPayloadCapacityOutput').innerText = remainingPayloadCapacity.toFixed(0);
document.getElementById('remainingGCWRCapacityOutput').innerText = remainingGCWRCapacity.toFixed(0);
document.getElementById('gvwrStatusOutput').innerHTML = gvwrStatus;
document.getElementById('gcwrStatusOutput').innerHTML = gcwrStatus;
document.getElementById('maxAdditionalTrailerWeightOutput').innerText = maxAdditionalTrailerWeight.toFixed(0);
}
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Understanding Your Ford's Towing Capacity
Towing safely with your Ford truck or SUV is crucial for your safety and the longevity of your vehicle. It's not just about how much your vehicle can pull, but how much it can safely handle in terms of weight distribution, braking, and overall stability. This calculator helps you understand the key metrics involved.
Key Towing Terms Explained:
- Vehicle Curb Weight: This is the weight of your Ford vehicle as it rolled off the assembly line, including a full tank of fuel and all standard equipment, but without passengers, cargo, or accessories.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The maximum permissible total weight of your fully loaded Ford vehicle. This includes the curb weight, all passengers, cargo inside the vehicle, and the tongue weight of the trailer. Exceeding GVWR can compromise handling, braking, and suspension. You'll find this on your vehicle's door jamb sticker.
- Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR): The maximum allowable total weight of the fully loaded tow vehicle (your Ford) AND the attached trailer. This is the absolute maximum weight that the engine, transmission, and chassis are designed to move and stop safely. This rating is typically found in your owner's manual.
- Trailer Weight (Empty & Cargo): The weight of the trailer itself, plus the weight of everything you load onto it. Always weigh your loaded trailer if possible, or estimate carefully.
- Tongue Weight: This is the downward force exerted by the trailer's coupler onto the hitch ball of your Ford. For conventional trailers, it should ideally be 10-15% of the total loaded trailer weight. Too little tongue weight can cause trailer sway, while too much can overload your vehicle's rear axle and GVWR.
- Payload Capacity: This is the maximum amount of weight your Ford can carry, including passengers, cargo, and the trailer's tongue weight. It's calculated as GVWR minus the vehicle's curb weight.
Why These Numbers Matter for Your Ford:
Ford engineers design their trucks and SUVs with specific weight limits to ensure optimal performance, safety, and durability. Exceeding any of these ratings can lead to:
- Reduced Braking Performance: Longer stopping distances and increased brake wear.
- Poor Handling and Stability: Increased risk of sway, especially in crosswinds or when passing other vehicles.
- Accelerated Wear and Tear: Strain on the engine, transmission, suspension, and tires.
- Legal Issues: Fines or liability in case of an accident, as you would be operating an overloaded vehicle.
- Voided Warranty: Some manufacturers may void warranties if damage is caused by consistent overloading.
Before You Tow:
- Check Your Owner's Manual: Always refer to your specific Ford model's owner's manual for precise GVWR, GCWR, and maximum towing capacity figures. These can vary significantly based on engine, transmission, axle ratio, and trim level.
- Locate the Door Jamb Sticker: This sticker provides your vehicle's specific GVWR and sometimes payload capacity.
- Weigh Your Setup: For absolute accuracy, visit a public scale (like those at truck stops) to weigh your loaded truck and trailer.
- Distribute Weight Properly: Ensure cargo in both the truck and trailer is evenly distributed and secured.
This calculator provides an estimate to help you plan your towing adventures safely. Always prioritize safety and adhere to your Ford's manufacturer specifications.