The source of the tow is a motorized land vehicle or a vessel, and the load is whatever is to be pulled. The two objects may be joined by rope, chain, or a three-point hitch. The tow vehicle may also have an integrated platform or drawbar to hold the tow vehicle and its cargo together. A chart can’t predict a specific load, so it is important to get your vehicle’s towing capacity before getting started.
A truck’s towing capacity is an important feature that can make or break a towing operation. In a pinch, it can help you find the right tow truck. A GPS system may be installed on the towing vehicle, allowing dispatchers to locate the closest unit quickly. The system also may be able to display the tow truck’s location on a map. The system feeds the data directly to a computer-assisted dispatch system, which can recommend the nearest available units.
Towing terminology is often confusing, but it’s actually very simple. The two main terms that you’ll encounter are “towing capacity” and “gross vehicle weight rating.” Towing capacity refers to the maximum weight a vehicle can safely pull. GVWR is the maximum weight a vehicle can support while still, and refers to how much of the trailer’s weight can be safely pulled by the tow vehicle. It’s important to note that both of these terms are equivalent, but you don’t want to overload either of them!
Bypass systems protect the wiring system of the towing vehicle. These devices are often universal, dedicated, or OEM, and they use small current signals from the car’s lighting harness to send a direct power supply to the towing vehicle’s towing socket. Bypass systems are a common towing option because they isolate the trailer’s wiring and prevent the towing vehicle from overloading the own vehicle’s wiring. Towing terminology is often confusing, but it is important to understand the basic terminology of towing to ensure safe and responsible operation.
The complexities of towing terminology can be confusing at first, but it all boils down to a few simple measurements. Towing capacity is the maximum amount of weight a vehicle can safely tow. The GVWR is the maximum weight a vehicle can safely carry while sitting still. The tow vehicle and trailer will both have their own GVWR. Towing can be a dangerous business, so it is important to understand what the GVWRs are before you start to tow.
Bypass systems are another towing technology that can protect the vehicle’s lighting system. These devices are commonly used by tow companies to determine where the nearest tow truck is. These devices use GPS technology to determine the nearest tow truck and will show the closest available units in real-time on a map. This will prevent overloading the wiring of the towing vehicle’s electrical system. In addition, these bypass systems can prevent overheating the lighting system of the car’s own car, which can damage the battery.