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Tow vehicle and Trailer Compatibility
Your tow vehicle manufacturers have applied a maximum towing capacity to the vehicle which is the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) and a maximum Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR). These specifications MUST
NOT be exceeded. It is your responsibility to know, understand and follow these specifications. Vehicle
manufacturers may also specify or recommend “Weight Distribution Bars” when towing under certain conditions.
You MUST ensure this is compatible with the vehicle and trailer combination.
Exceeding manufacturer weight and combination limits can result
in loss of control leading to death or serious injury. Your tow
vehicle and hitch must be rated for the Gross Vehicle Weight
Achieving a Safe Towing Combination
Ensuring a trailer is safe and easy to tow is an easy thing to achieve, this does not mean it is always the case and sometimes, a
vehicle and trailer combination may need some tweaking to make it ideal. There are several aspects that need to be correct to
maximise towing safety and handling. It is important to use this information in conjunction with the maximum weight limits
applied by your tow vehicle’s manufacturer as well as ensuring you stay within the maximum specified ratings of your trailer.
These can be found in the vehicle’s owner manual. This summary will address the main aspects, these aspects include, but may
not be limited to the items listed in the following diagram:
Trailer & Tow Vehilce Tire Pressures
Trailer Tire Pressures
Tire pressures have a large effect on the handling and performance of any vehicle, be it a towed vehicle or motorized. The tire
pressure on your trailer will indeed be a major contribution to how well it tows and resists instability. Due to how much an RV
may vary in weight depending on the cargo (as much as 3400lbs to 6600lbs in the MDCUSA range) it is important to have your
tires at the pressure recommended by the trailer manufacturer, for the actual weight of the trailer when loaded. You should
follow the tire pressure guide in this manual for on road/highway tire pressures.
Tow Vehicle Tire Pressures
Equally as important as trailer tire pressure is the tire pressures in your tow vehicle. The added weight of the trailer tongue
weight should be factored into calculating the tire pressures in the rear of the car. What should also be factored in is the effect
the distance of the hitch from the axles plays in leverage. A load on the tow bar of 550lbs may well have the effect of 660lbs or
more on the vehicles rear tires meaning additional pressure must be applied. This will limit sidewall flex and sideways movement
of the rear of the vehicle, limiting unwanted movement that can cause instability in the trailer.
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