Trailer Safety Tools
Tow Capacity & Payload Calculator
Three quick steps to find out if your rig is safe to tow. All weights are in pounds (lbs).
How to use this calculator
- Step 1 — your truck's limits. Enter your tow vehicle's GVWR, curb weight, and GCVWR. You can find these on the door jamb placard, in the owner's manual, or by contacting your vehicle's manufacturer. The calculator shows your max safe payload and safe tow capacity.
- Step 2 — current payload. Enter the approximate weight of the passengers in your tow vehicle (including yourself, the driver!), any cargo you're hauling (tools, hay, water, dogs, saddles, suitcases, etc.), and your trailer tongue weight. To estimate tongue weight, use our Trailer Tongue Weight Calculator. The calculator compares your current payload to your max payload.
- Step 3 — current trailer weight. Enter your empty trailer weight (usually on a placard on the side of your trailer), the approximate weight of your horses (use a weight tape), and any cargo, tack, or hay in the trailer that isn't animals. Don't forget your water tank — there's a water tank weight helper built in.
- Your result. If your payload and trailer weight are both within the safe range, the sign shows "Safe to tow." If either one is over its limit, it shows "Unsafe to tow."
Your truck's limits
Find these numbers on the door jamb placard or in your owner's manual.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
Please enter a number of 0 or more.
Weight of the empty truck
Please enter a number of 0 or more.
Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating
Please enter a number of 0 or more.
Current payload
Everything riding in or on your truck — people, cargo, and the trailer's tongue weight.
Include yourself — the driver!
Please enter a number of 0 or more.
Tools, hay, dogs, saddles, suitcases…
Please enter a number of 0 or more.
Current trailer weight
Your trailer plus everything loaded in it.
Usually on a placard on the trailer's side
Please enter a number of 0 or more.
Approximate — use a weight tape
Please enter a number of 0 or more.
Tack, hay — and include your water!
Please enter a number of 0 or more.
Water tank weight helper
Please enter a number of 0 or more.
Disclaimer: These are approximate values. Final judgement must be made by the owner of the trailer, tow vehicle, and the owner(s) of the horse(s). Nevada Horse Trails and its associates make no guarantee of the accuracy of this tool. Use at your own risk.