Confused on towing capacity.

[Mark42]

My 98 Lincoln Town Car lists towing capacity as 2000lbs max, excluding the driver, but including passengers and cargo. I tow a 1400lbs trailer, and that leaves me room for the kids. Wife usually brings the kids in her car, so I get to save that weight too.

The new Toyota Sienna says to just subtract the tongue weight from the vehicles LOAD CAPACITY when towing. Tow limit is 3500lbs.

What confuses me is that Lincoln says that the max the car can carry and tow combined cannot exceed 2000 lbs. But Toyota does not subtract the trailers weigh from the load carrying capacity of the vehicle.

Does that sound right, or is Toyota going to be overloaded when loaded to the Load Capicty, minus 200lbs for tongue weight, plus towing 3500 lbs of boat? (BTW, the bigger of my boats weights only 1600lbs - boat, motor & trailer)

 

[Mike722]

Re: Confused on towing capacity.

I assume that they are talking about two seperate numbers. Towing capicity is how many pounds the vechicle can pull. This would be base on the transmission, bumper, engine, and brakes.

Load capicity is how much weight the vechicle can carry. This number is also called the Gross Vechicle Weight Rating. The maximum weight of the vechicle, fuel, oil, cargo, and riders and tongue weight if towing. Each axle would also have a maximum, but I have never seen that listed on pass vechicles.

 

[pgdignan]

Re: Confused on towing capacity.

The new Toyota Sienna says to just subtract the tongue weight from the vehicles LOAD CAPACITY when towing. Tow limit is 3500lbs.

What confuses me is that Lincoln says that the max the car can carry and tow combined cannot exceed 2000 lbs. But Toyota does not subtract the trailers weigh from the load carrying capacity of the vehicle.

Mike is right, the load capacity referenced by Toyota would be the equivalent of the GAVWR or the allowed maximum weight for vehicle, passengers, cargo et. al. regardless of the towed vehicle, provided you've included the tongue weight in determing the GAVWR. The Lincoln, it would appear, is including the entire weight of the towed as part of the GAVWR. Long story short, I don't think the Toyota will be overloaded using your numbers.

 

[tommays]

Re: Confused on towing capacity.

Everything i have read about NEW towing caps says that you must take off ALL weight put into the car


So a 3500# cap van with a 1000# of people and stuff would tow 2500# MAX




Tommays

 

[180shabah]

Re: Confused on towing capacity.

Sounds like Ford was getting a little creative with the numbers on your Lincoln.

The GCWR will answer all of your questions, but like stated above you should be fine towing a small load with a Sienna, and leaving the second car at home.

 

[1730V]

Re: Confused on towing capacity.

Sounds like Ford was getting a little creative with the numbers on your Lincoln.

The GCWR will answer all of your questions, but like stated above you should be fine towing a small load with a Sienna, and leaving the second car at home.

Yes, GCWR (gross combined weight rating) is everything. That is the number you need to pay attention to.

Ford didn't want people towing with that car. That's why they dropped it to 2K. Two years before, same vehicle, was 5K.

The "derate" had nothing to do with the powertrain/body, it was a marketing move.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Confused on towing capacity.

Everything i have read about NEW towing caps says that you must take off ALL weight put into the car


So a 3500# cap van with a 1000# of people and stuff would tow 2500# MAX




Tommays

That has always been my understanding. But the Toyota reads different. I'm going to bring it up with the service manager after they install the tow hitch.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Confused on towing capacity.

This is from Toyota's Website

Before towing, confirm your vehicle and trailer are compatible, hooked up properly and that you have any necessary additional equipment. Do not exceed any Weight Ratings and follow all instructions in your Owner's Manual. The maximum you can tow depends on the total weight of any cargo, occupants and available equipment.​

So just like everybody else, the max tow rating is based on an empty vehicle.