{"id":95029,"date":"2023-10-20T07:32:10","date_gmt":"2023-10-20T14:32:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogv2prod.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/?p=95029"},"modified":"2024-03-12T01:27:00","modified_gmt":"2024-03-12T08:27:00","slug":"how-to-increase-your-vehicles-towing-capacity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-increase-your-vehicles-towing-capacity\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Increase Your Vehicle\u2019s Towing Capacity"},"content":{"rendered":"\nReading Time: <\/span> 5<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>\n\n\n

Whether your vehicle is a truck or a family sedan, it’s sure to have a towing capacity<\/a>. The question is, “Is that towing capacity useful for your needs?” Let’s look at what determines a vehicle’s towing capacity and how to increase it if needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Types of Towing Capacity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Curt Manufacturing formally defines towing capacity as the maximum amount of weight your vehicle can pull while towing. There are two subcategories of towing capacity:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Braked Towing Capacity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most of the time, your vehicle’s listed towing capacity refers to its braked towing capacity. The braked towing capacity measures the maximum amount of weight your vehicle can tow when the towed trailer<\/a> has its own braking system. The trailer’s braking system connects to your vehicle through a cable so it knows when to engage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unbraked Towing Capacity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When the trailer you’re towing lacks an independent braking system, you’ll need to refer to your vehicle’s unbraked towing capacity to determine if it can still tow the trailer. Because your vehicle’s brakes need to halt both the vehicle and the pulled trailer, unbraked towing capacity is often less than braked towing capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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One of the quickest ways to increase towing capacity isn’t entirely a modification at all, but rather making sure you have the highest capacity hitch, receiver, and ball to match your vehicle’s maximum trailering weight.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What Determines a Vehicle’s Towing Capacity?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you want to know what your vehicle’s towing capacity is, you can check for the manufacturer’s towing capacity on your vehicle’s door jamb, in the owner’s manual, and on the company’s website. These can’t always give you an exact number though. Vehicles often have a range that depends on changing factors based on what you opt to purchase for your vehicle at the dealer’s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The engine determines the amount of horsepower and torque produced for towing. Without a powerful engine, the vehicle won’t have enough torque to pull significant amounts of weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The vehicle’s configuration, which is composed of its size, how much it weighs, and how that weight is distributed, also contributes to its towing capacity. Transmission<\/a> also plays a hand, with automatic transmission letting you tow more than manual transmission. In fact, towing while shifting gears in manual transmission tends to damage the transmission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tire size<\/a> is also a factor for determining a vehicle’s towing capacity. Narrow and short tires increase torque, making them better for towing. As for your vehicle’s suspension, it won’t exactly impact towing capacity, but it will ensure a more comfortable ride even with the added weight from a trailer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How To Increase Your Vehicle’s Tow Capacity<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are many ways to increase towing capacity, and some are easier and more effective than others. Here are our recommendations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suspension System Upgrades<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The suspension system is one of the components you’ll want to start with when increasing towing capacity. Heavier-duty struts, shocks, and springs can support more weight from a trailer. At the same time, they’ll give your vehicle more stability when you drive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upgraded Radiator<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your vehicle’s radiator<\/a> is in charge of keeping your engine and transmission from overheating. A bigger, upgraded radiator can improve this cooling process and lessen the stress from heavier weights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Powertrain Modifications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Increased power will help you pull heavier loads. This is where powertrain modifications come in. Install a programmer or tuner or upgrade the exhaust system for improved airflow. Any performance improvements can lead to greater tow capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Programming Adjustments<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

More often than not, you might notice that your vehicle is programmed to have better fuel efficiency, saving you money in the long term by keeping the engine’s power levels within certain levels. The powertrain control module’s (PCM’s) programming is in charge of the transmission shifting, air-to-fuel ratio, and other settings. Adjusting these settings will allow the engine to have more horsepower at the cost of using more fuel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Electric Trailer Brake Controller Installation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As we’ve mentioned, whether or not the trailer you’re pulling has brakes impacts your vehicle’s towing capacity. Installing an electric brake controller to the trailer can help your vehicle tow more since you won’t be relying solely on your vehicle’s brakes to stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Intake and Exhaust Replacements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Upgrading your vehicle’s intake<\/a> and exhaust<\/a> will improve its suspension. Because the system can “breathe” easier, the vehicle’s overall performance improves, which of course translates to a higher towing capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High-Performance Brakes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Installing upgraded brakes are more for your vehicle’s performance than its towing capacity. That being said, it can help reduce the stopping distances when you haul especially heavy trailers, making hauling them safer than usual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frame and Chassis Adjustments<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The frame and chassis of your vehicle help determine the vehicle’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), which also impacts its towing capacity. For certain vehicles, you can adjust the frame and chassis, reinforcing them to take on extra weight. These adjustments are easier made on body-on-frame vehicles than unibodies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Transmission Cooler Installation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For certain vehicles, you might need to install a transmission cooler before they can meet the “max towing capacity” listed by the manufacturer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upgraded Axles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Axles<\/a> support your vehicle’s weight and rotate its wheels. Upgraded axles help you manage more heavy-duty components. The enhanced gear ratio that comes with this is another bonus. Keep in mind that it’s a pricey upgrade that will need to be installed by a professional mechanic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Types of Towing Capacity Modifications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are a variety of modifications you can do to your vehicle to increase towing capacity. One of the quickest isn’t entirely a modification at all. Rather, it’s making sure you have the highest capacity hitch, receiver, and ball to match your vehicle’s maximum trailering weight. If you have a weaker set, it’ll limit your maximum towing capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plug-and-play modifications are those that don’t need too much effort to install, and they’re a good place to start if you don’t want to get your hands dirty. Power programmers and trailer brake controllers fall under this category. There are also direct replacement parts that completely overhaul sections of your vehicle like suspension or brake components. They require more work to install but can be worth the effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Towing Must-Knows<\/h2>\n\n\n\n