Towing with Your Chevrolet Buick or GMC
Living at the Lake of the Ozarks provides many opportunities for needing to tow a boat or trailer. From getting your boat to the water or hitching up as part of your job, towing can be a very common thing for some at the Lake. Towing a boat or trailer requires extra attention, more skill, and a much higher level of caution than your everyday trips around town. Hulett Chevrolet Buick GMC understands that customers use their vehicles for a range of different tasks, so your Lake of the Ozarks GM dealer put together some tips to ensure you and your cargo travel safely.
GVWR – Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is the maximum operating weight the vehicle.
Both can be found on the certification label located on the driver’s door jam.
GCWR – Gross Combination Weight Rating is the total allowable weight of the loaded vehicle and trailer.
Types of Trailer Hitches
Rear Receiver Hitch – The most common hitch. These are mounted behind or under your rear bumper.
Weight Distribution Hitch – This is a rear receiver hitch attachment that distributes tongue weight evenly across the trailer and vehicle.
Fifth Wheel Hitch – This is a heavy-duty hitch that mounts in the bed of a truck right over the rear axles. Most commonly used for travel trailers.
Gooseneck Hitch – Very similar to a fifth wheel hitch, a gooseneck mounts over the rear axles under the truck bed and only the ball protrudes through the trucks bed. Mainly used for farm equipment and larger trailers.
There are five trailer classifications and they are all based on weight. Below is a list of all classes and the hitch that is typically required.
Light Duty: Up to 2,000 lbs. gross trailer weight. Typical Hitch Type – weight carrying hitch
Medium Duty: 2,001 – 3,500 lbs. gross trailer weight - weight carrying hitch
Heavy Duty: 3,501 – 5,000 lbs. gross trailer weight - weight carrying hitch or weight distributing hitch
Extra Heavy Duty: 5,001 – 10,000 lbs. gross trailer weight - weight carrying hitch, weight distributing hitch, fifth wheel hitch, or gooseneck hitch
Maximum Heavy Duty: 10,001 lbs. and above gross trailer weight - weight carrying hitch, weight distributing hitch, fifth wheel hitch, or gooseneck hitch
So who’s ready to load up the trailer and hit the road? These tips are just a few to help you understand the terminology and the basics for you to have an enjoyable and safe towing experience. Head to Hulett Chevrolet Buick GMC and let our friendly, no-pressure sales staff help you find your new truck or SUV to tow your boat or trailer.
Sales: 573.317.4191
Towing Basics
Towing a trailer or boat involves all major systems in your vehicle, from the transmission to the hitch. Safe and easy towing requires everything to be compatible, and remember - YOU are responsible for making sure you have the right equipment- from the hitch, receiver, and ball, to the truck and trailer, for your towing situation. Keep in mind, you need to safely tow both the trailer and the load on the trailer. The owner’s manual of your vehicle is a great resource for knowing how to safely tow with your vehicle.Knowing the Terminology
RGAWR – Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating is the maximum distributed weight that may be supported by an axle.GVWR – Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is the maximum operating weight the vehicle.
Both can be found on the certification label located on the driver’s door jam.
GCWR – Gross Combination Weight Rating is the total allowable weight of the loaded vehicle and trailer.
Selecting the Right Vehicle
If you are shopping for a new vehicle with the idea of using it as a tow vehicle, you want to be confident that the vehicle will be capable of the job. When doing your research you can use the Chevrolet Trailering Guide to be sure that the vehicle in consideration will be able to handle the load you will put behind it.
The Right Equipment
Once you have the right vehicle, you will need all the right equipment. There are many different types of hitches for different applications, so let’s make sure you have the right one.Types of Trailer Hitches
Rear Receiver Hitch – The most common hitch. These are mounted behind or under your rear bumper.
Weight Distribution Hitch – This is a rear receiver hitch attachment that distributes tongue weight evenly across the trailer and vehicle.
Fifth Wheel Hitch – This is a heavy-duty hitch that mounts in the bed of a truck right over the rear axles. Most commonly used for travel trailers.
Gooseneck Hitch – Very similar to a fifth wheel hitch, a gooseneck mounts over the rear axles under the truck bed and only the ball protrudes through the trucks bed. Mainly used for farm equipment and larger trailers.
There are five trailer classifications and they are all based on weight. Below is a list of all classes and the hitch that is typically required.
Light Duty: Up to 2,000 lbs. gross trailer weight. Typical Hitch Type – weight carrying hitch
Medium Duty: 2,001 – 3,500 lbs. gross trailer weight - weight carrying hitch
Heavy Duty: 3,501 – 5,000 lbs. gross trailer weight - weight carrying hitch or weight distributing hitch
Extra Heavy Duty: 5,001 – 10,000 lbs. gross trailer weight - weight carrying hitch, weight distributing hitch, fifth wheel hitch, or gooseneck hitch
Maximum Heavy Duty: 10,001 lbs. and above gross trailer weight - weight carrying hitch, weight distributing hitch, fifth wheel hitch, or gooseneck hitch
So who’s ready to load up the trailer and hit the road? These tips are just a few to help you understand the terminology and the basics for you to have an enjoyable and safe towing experience. Head to Hulett Chevrolet Buick GMC and let our friendly, no-pressure sales staff help you find your new truck or SUV to tow your boat or trailer.
Hulett Chevrolet Buick GMC - That's The Way We Do It At Hulett!
513 N. Business Route 5
Camdenton, MO 65020
Sales: 573.317.4191
Service: 573.317.4195
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