Vehicle Towing Capacity and Trailer Weight Compatibility

Updated 06/28/2018 | Published 06/26/2018

Question:

Hi, I have a 2003 Toyota Highlander 2.4L 4 cylinder vehicle that it seems has a towing capacity of 3000. I would like to tow a 2013 Coleman CTS15BH RV on a 1275 mile trip from WI to Yellowstone NP. According to the spec sheet I found the dry weight of the RV is 2715 lbs and the trailer tongue weight is 317, making 3032 lbs. And thats before I add any of the items we plan to take. It seems to me that it really isnt going to work. Or is it close enough that it will? My daughter has a 2004 Lincoln Aviator that has a towing capacity of 3500. Is that even good enough? The GVWR for the trailer is 3800. Does that mean that about 800 lbs is the maximum weight that could be added to it prior to towing? Thank you for your help.

asked by: Art

Expert Reply:

The GVWR spec for a trailer, its gross vehicle weight rating, is the most it can ever weigh. This 3800-lb figure for your Coleman travel trailer includes the trailer's own dry weight of 2715-lbs plus the weight of water, propane, food, sporting gear -everything that goes in the trailer. You do NOT need to add the trailer's tongue weight (TW) to this figure. If you subtract the dry weight of 2715-lbs from the gross weight of 3800-lbs you get the maximum total cargo weight, 1085-lbs. This is the maximum total weight you can put into the empty trailer including everything.

Towing a 3800-lb trailer with a vehicle rated for only 3000-lbs towing capacity is certainly not the best idea. The 2003 Highlander is rated for 3000- to 3500-lbs towing capacity depending on specific equipment. The 2004 Aviator is rated for 3500-lbs as you stated. Neither vehicle is rated high enough for towing this loaded trailer, strictly speaking.

We prefer to see RVers using trailer/vehicle combinations where the vehicle has more towing capacity than needed, safety margin. While it is possible to reduce some of the towing-related thermal stress on a vehicle, by adding power steering, transmission and engine oil coolers, none of these things can actually add towing capacity. That figure is determined by the auto maker and they get the final say.

expert reply by: Adam R