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See Trailer Brakes under Towing
Equipment 0 273 to determine if brakes are
required based on your trailer's weight.
The only way to be sure the weight is not
exceeding any of these ratings is to weigh
the tow vehicle and trailer combination,
fully loaded for the trip, getting individual
weights for each of these items.
A trailering information label on the center
pillar (B-pillar) shows tow rating information
for the vehicle.
Warning
You and others could be seriously injured
or killed if the trailer is too heavy or the
trailer brakes are inadequate for the load.
The vehicle may be damaged, and the
repairs would not be covered by the
vehicle warranty.
Only tow a trailer if all the steps in this
section have been followed. Ask your
dealer for advice and information about
towing a trailer.
Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)
GCWR is the total allowable weight of the
completely loaded vehicle and trailer
including any passengers, cargo, equipment,
and accessories. Do not exceed the GCWR
for your vehicle. The GCWR for the vehicle is
on the Trailering Information Label.
To check that the weight of the vehicle and
trailer are within the GCWR for the vehicle,
follow these steps:
1. Start with the "curb weight" from the
Trailering Information Label.
2. Add the weight of the trailer loaded with
cargo and ready for the trip.
3. Add the weight of all passengers.
4. Add the weight of all cargo in the
vehicle.
5. Add the weight of hitch hardware such
as a draw bar, ball, load equalizer bars,
or sway bars.
6. Add the weight of any accessories or
aftermarket equipment added to the
vehicle.
The resulting weight cannot exceed the
GCWR value on the Trailering Information
Label.
Driving and Operating
The GCWR can also be confirmed by
weighing the vehicle and trailer on a public
scale. The vehicle and trailer should be
loaded for the trip with passengers and
cargo.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
For information about the vehicle's
maximum load capacity, see Vehicle Load
Limits 0 179. When calculating the GVWR
with a trailer attached, the trailer tongue
weight must be included as part of the
weight the vehicle is carrying.
271
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