Millions of vehicles are towed each year, and most are impounded for minor violations like unpaid parking tickets or expired registrations. Some are even towed for encroaching on property, such as blocking fire hydrants or access routes at businesses or private locations.

Investing in the right towing equipment will save fleets money and time. But understanding Phoenix Towing lingo is essential to making the best purchasing decision.

Whether you have a boat, camper or a trailer full of luggage for your next road trip, or are moving from one home to the next, it’s important to know how much weight your vehicle can safely pull. After all, if you exceed the maximum towing capacity of your car, truck or SUV, you could put yourself and others at risk. While it may seem simple to find the max towing capacity of your vehicle, there are many factors that affect a vehicle’s ability to tow.

The most important factor is your vehicle’s frame, which must be able to handle the stresses of towing a heavy trailer behind it. Body-on-frame designs tend to be better at handling this type of abuse than unibody models. Additionally, your vehicle’s wheelbase is a major factor as well. A short wheelbase vehicle will be more difficult to maneuver with a trailer behind it than a longer model.

Manufacturers typically specify a maximum towing rating for their vehicles. However, they usually base their calculations on the vehicle being empty of passengers and cargo. If you plan on hauling a family and all the gear they need for a weekend getaway, you will likely need to go beyond the manufacturer’s calculated maximum towing capacity.

A good way to determine your vehicle’s towing capacity is by looking at its Vehicle Information Number Plate, or VIN. This plate is found under the bonnet or on a door pillar. It will list 3 or 4 sets of numbers that correspond to the maximum allowable weight for front and rear axles, as well as for towing.

You can also check your owner’s manual to find the exact towing capacity for your car, truck or SUV. There are also online tools provided by many manufacturers that can provide you with this information based on the vehicle’s VIN number, which is particularly helpful when you’re considering buying a used vehicle and don’t have the owner’s manual handy. It’s crucial to always adhere to your vehicle’s designated towing capacity, as doing otherwise can damage both your vehicle and the trailer. Moreover, it’s essential to evenly distribute the weight of your load across the entire trailer to prevent instability and maintain maximum safety.

Gear Ratios

The gear ratio, which relates to the number of teeth on two meshed gears, plays an important role in determining a truck’s capability to haul heavy loads. While it is not the only factor, a good ratio minimizes strain on the engine and allows it to operate efficiently across a variety of driving conditions. For example, a low gear ratio provides more torque and improves off-the-line acceleration. It can also help provide more power during heavy loads and steep hills. A higher ratio, on the other hand, can improve fuel efficiency and allow for better cruising speeds over long distances.

The choice between a lower or higher ratio depends on the kind of use a vehicle will get. For instance, a recreational vehicle user will likely be able to pull more with a lower ratio than a professional who uses his truck for work. Additionally, a vehicle user’s choice of terrain will influence the optimal gear ratio. Rough or hilly terrains will require a lower gear ratio to provide sufficient torque and control, while flat or level roads will be suited for a higher one.

A higher gear ratio will also increase the number of drive shaft turns required to turn a single wheel, which can reduce fuel economy. It will provide more torque, however, which can make it suitable for carrying heavy payloads or towing a trailer.

Moreover, a high ratio will save wear and tear on the transmission and engine. According to Ram Trucks, this is because a larger gear ratio requires the smaller gear to spin twice as far to cover the same distance that the bigger gear covers in one rotation.

The ideal ratio for a towing application depends on the load size, the number of trailers used and the towing capacity of the truck. A lower ratio will be more suitable for lighter loads, while a larger one is more suitable for heavier ones. A higher torque rating is also useful for off-road enthusiasts, who can utilize a locking differential to prevent wheel slippage and distribute power evenly between both wheels.

Specialized Brakes

Adding specialized brakes can be an easy way to improve trailer braking performance. Disc brakes are a popular choice for car tow dollies and other large trailers because they tend to be more efficient than traditional surge or hydraulic systems and offer more control independent of your towing vehicle’s braking system. Disc brakes are also more resistant to heat fade, which can reduce the overall efficiency of a trailer braking system. Finally, disc brakes are often better suited for harsh road conditions, such as those found in Michigan, where the salts used to keep roads safe can degrade and compromise hydraulic brake systems.

The most significant benefit of a supplemental braking system is safety. Supplemental brakes take the weight off the towing vehicle and allow both it and the towed vehicle to stop at the same time, reducing the chance of a rear-end collision and reducing stopping distance by approximately 34 percent.

For this reason, supplemental braking systems are required in almost every state and many Canadian provinces. There are two main types of supplemental braking systems: direct and indirect. Direct braking systems are connected directly to your RV’s braking system, which means installation is more complex and less reliable. Indirect braking systems use electronics to detect changing momentum (using things like mercury switches, pendulums or accelerometers) and then transmit the appropriate braking signals to your towed vehicle’s brakes via wires.

If you’re looking to add a supplemental braking system to your vehicle, make sure it uses brake controllers with adjustable voltage output for maximum power. This ensures that you’re getting the exact amount of braking force you need, regardless of what the towed vehicle is doing. Additionally, consider a braking system that offers breakaway kits to prevent runaway vehicles. These battery-powered electronic devices send a signal to the towed vehicle’s brakes when it disconnects from the hitch, slowing the vehicle down before it can cause an accident.

Another important thing to keep in mind when choosing a braking system for your truck or SUV is the quality of the rotors and pads. Towing generates a great deal of heat, so it’s essential that your brake pads and rotors can disperse this heat effectively to avoid overheating and fading. The PowerStop Z36 Truck & Tow Carbon-Fiber Ceramic Brake Pads, for example, feature low-dust technology and Drilled & Slotted Rotors that provide exceptional heat dissipation to deliver powerful stops when towing and hauling.

Safety

When towing, safety is the primary concern. A towing vehicle must be strong enough to pull a load and equipped with the proper tools and knowledge for safe operation. Using an inadequate vehicle can result in damage to both the car and the trailer. In addition, improper loading and securing of cargo can shift during transit, creating a dangerous condition for other drivers on the road.

In addition, a driver must be familiar with the vehicle and trailer driving methods. This includes ensuring that the car’s transmission and brakes are ready for additional stress during hauling. Regular maintenance on both the towing vehicle and trailer is essential, including checking and maintaining appropriate tire pressure, ensuring that all lights are working properly and checking that the hitch and coupler are secure.

The vehicle owner manual is the key resource for determining the towing capacity of a vehicle and ensuring its compatibility with a particular trailer. It’s also important to practice parking and reversing with the trailer in an open area before attempting these maneuvers on public roads.

A towing vehicle must have adequate height clearance for pulling into gas stations and passing under low bridges. Drivers should also keep in mind that stopping distances are longer when towing, and give themselves extra space when changing lanes or overtaking other vehicles.

For vehicles that are equipped with the right towing hardware, many manufacturers design cars to “see” a trailer through a special plug (Ford, Volvo) or by integrating new technology into the CAN bus network system so that the car can detect a trailer or caravan through a simple connection (VAG, BMW). These systems help reduce the likelihood of a mismatch between the tow vehicle and its trailer and can prevent costly damage to the towing vehicle.

Finally, it’s important to remember that a trailer or its cargo may be taller than the towing vehicle itself. This can cause problems when pulling into gas stations, passing under low bridges or driving in areas with limited clearance. It’s also important to check for this when changing lanes and making turns, as sudden movements can shift the trailer cargo and increase sway.