How Much Can You Tow With a 5,000‑lb Towing Capacity?

You can tow up to 5,000 pounds of gross trailer weight on paper, but in real-world conditions most drivers should plan for about 4,000–4,500 pounds once you account for passengers, cargo, tongue weight, hitch limits, grades, and safety margin. The exact figure depends on your vehicle’s Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR), payload capacity, hitch/tongue-weight rating, trailer brakes, and how you load the rig.

What a 5,000‑lb Tow Rating Actually Means

A 5,000‑lb tow rating is the maximum trailer weight the manufacturer says the vehicle can pull under standardized test conditions (often per SAE J2807). That rating assumes a minimally loaded tow vehicle and proper equipment. In practice, the amount you can tow safely is capped by multiple overlapping limits: GCWR (vehicle + trailer), GVWR (vehicle only), payload (how much weight the vehicle can carry, including passengers and tongue weight), and the hitch’s tongue-weight rating. Because real trips include people, gear, and hills, you rarely get the full 5,000 pounds without trade-offs.

Key Limits You Must Respect

The following constraints determine your true towing capability and keep you within legal and mechanical safety boundaries.

• Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR): Subtract your actual, loaded vehicle weight from GCWR to find your maximum loaded trailer weight.
• Payload capacity: Tongue weight (typically 10–15% of the trailer’s loaded weight for conventional trailers) plus passengers and cargo must stay within the vehicle’s payload rating.
• Hitch and tongue-weight ratings: A Class III receiver is often rated around 5,000 lb trailer/500 lb tongue (weight-carrying). Exceeding the tongue limit usually requires a properly rated weight-distributing (WD) hitch.
• Trailer brakes: Many jurisdictions require brakes at 1,500–3,000 lb+; over ~3,000 lb, electric brakes and a brake controller are commonly mandatory. Check your state/province laws.
• Aerodynamics and frontal area: Crossovers/SUVs often have a maximum allowable trailer frontal area (for example, around 30–40 sq. ft.). Large, boxy campers can hit aero limits before weight limits.
• Terrain and environment: Steep grades, high temperatures, and altitude reduce performance and cooling margins; manufacturers may publish derating guidance for heavy use.
• Drivetrain and cooling options: Axle ratio, transmission, tow package, and tire ratings affect sustained towing capability and stability.

Towing safely means meeting all of these limits at once; the most restrictive limit governs your true maximum.

A Quick Way to Estimate Your Real-World Limit

Use these steps to translate the headline 5,000‑lb rating into a practical number for your specific trip and vehicle setup.

1. Find the numbers: Look up your vehicle’s GCWR, GVWR, payload, and hitch/tongue-weight ratings (owner’s manual, door-jamb sticker, or manufacturer site).
2. Weigh or estimate your loaded vehicle: Curb weight + fuel + people + cargo. Subtract this from GCWR to get a theoretical max trailer weight.
3. Check tongue weight: Estimate 10–15% of loaded trailer weight (8–10% for many boat trailers). Ensure the resulting tongue weight fits both your payload and hitch tongue rating.
4. Add a safety margin: Target 80–90% of the rated tow capacity to preserve braking/cooling margins and account for measurement error and headwinds.
5. Confirm equipment and legal requirements: Trailer brakes, brake controller, weight-distributing hitch (if needed), mirrors, lighting, and tire load ratings.

This process typically yields a practical ceiling near 4,000–4,500 lb for a vehicle rated to tow 5,000 lb, though exact results vary with loading and equipment.

Worked Example

Suppose your SUV is rated to tow 5,000 lb and lists a GCWR of 9,500 lb. Its curb weight is 4,200 lb. You add 600 lb of passengers and cargo, bringing the actual vehicle weight to 4,800 lb. GCWR (9,500) − 4,800 = 4,700 lb remaining for the trailer. At 12% tongue weight, that trailer would put about 564 lb on the hitch—within a typical vehicle payload but above a 500‑lb tongue limit for many weight‑carrying setups, so you’d likely need a weight‑distributing hitch rated appropriately. Applying a 10% safety margin suggests capping the loaded trailer near ~4,200 lb. If you load the vehicle heavier, the allowable trailer weight drops further.

What You Can Tow: Typical Trailers Under 5,000 lb

These examples illustrate the kinds of loads that often fit within a 5,000‑lb rating when properly equipped, but you must verify actual weights and ratings for your specific trailer.

• Boats: Many 18–20 ft fiberglass runabouts with trailers weigh roughly 3,000–4,500 lb loaded (fuel/gear).
• Small travel trailers: Single-axle campers around 17–22 ft often run 3,500–4,800 lb loaded. Beware that “dry” weights exclude options, batteries, propane, and cargo.
• Pop-up/A-frame campers: Commonly 1,500–3,000 lb loaded, well within margin.
• Utility/landscape trailers: A steel 6×12 utility trailer plus an ATV/mower or building materials can land between 2,000–4,500 lb.
• Rental cargo trailers: A typical 6×12 cargo rental is around 1,900–2,000 lb empty with a gross around 4,400 lb, depending on model—still within scope when properly loaded and braked.
• Car transport: A car dolly plus a small compact car may fall near 3,500–4,500 lb total; a full car hauler with a midsize sedan can exceed 5,000 lb—verify carefully.

Always check the trailer’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and your actual loaded weight, not just brochure “dry” numbers, to ensure compliance with all limits.

Safety, Legal, and Equipment Considerations

Beyond raw capacity, stability and compliance are essential to a safe towing experience.

• Brakes and controller: Over ~3,000 lb, many regions require trailer brakes and an in-cab brake controller; some require brakes as low as 1,500 lb. Verify local laws.
• Weight distribution and sway control: Recommended when tongue weight approaches hitch limits or trailers exceed ~50% of vehicle weight; improves stability and steering.
• Tongue weight targets: Aim for 10–15% (8–10% for many boats). Too little tongue weight increases sway risk.
• Tires and pressure: Use tires with adequate load index; air to max cold PSI when towing heavy. Soft, underinflated, or overloaded tires are a common failure point.
• Mirrors, lighting, and chains: Ensure legal mirror extension, functioning lights, breakaway system (if required), and correctly crossed safety chains.
• Speed and spacing: Obey towing speed limits (some states cap at 55 mph) and increase following distance to account for longer stopping distances.

Setting up your rig correctly—and driving with extra margin—reduces stress on the drivetrain and improves safety in crosswinds, traffic, and mountain descents.

Bottom Line

A vehicle with a 5,000‑lb tow rating can tow a 5,000‑lb trailer only when everything else is lightly loaded and every relevant rating is respected. For everyday trips with passengers and gear, plan on about 4,000–4,500 lb as a practical ceiling, verify your GCWR/payload/tongue-weight limits, use trailer brakes, and consider a weight‑distributing hitch for heavier conventional trailers.

Summary

You can tow up to 5,000 lb by the book, but real-world capacity is typically 4,000–4,500 lb after accounting for payload, tongue weight, equipment, and safety margin. Check GCWR, hitch and tongue ratings, ensure proper trailer brakes, and verify actual loaded weights to stay safe and legal.

Does towing capacity include the weight of the truck?

No, your truck’s towing capacity is the maximum weight of the trailer you can tow, not the weight of the truck itself. You calculate your specific towing capacity by subtracting your truck’s curb weight (empty weight) and any current payload (passengers, cargo in the truck) from the **Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating (GCVWR) **. The result is the maximum weight of the fully loaded trailer you can tow.
 
Here’s a breakdown of the terms:

• Towing Capacity: The maximum weight of a fully loaded trailer your truck can safely pull. 
• GCVWR (Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating): The maximum total weight of your loaded truck and the loaded trailer combined. 
• Curb Weight: The weight of your truck with essential fluids (like gas) but without any passengers or cargo. 
• Payload: The total weight of passengers, cargo, and trailer tongue weight that is placed in or on your truck. 
• Tongue Weight: The weight the trailer’s tongue puts on the truck’s hitch. 

How to Calculate Your Towing Capacity:

1. Find your GCVWR: This is listed in your owner’s manual or on a doorjamb sticker. 
2. Find your truck’s curb weight: This is also usually found in your owner’s manual or on a door sticker. 
3. Calculate the “Available” Weight: Subtract your curb weight from the GCVWR. 
   • Formula: GCVWR – Curb Weight = Available Weight 
4. Account for your passengers and payload: Subtract the weight of your passengers and any cargo you plan to carry in the truck’s cabin. 
5. Factor in the Tongue Weight: Don’t forget to add the estimated tongue weight of your trailer to your payload calculation, as this also consumes available weight capacity. 

The final number you get is the maximum weight your trailer can be.

What is the 80% rule for towing?

The 80% rule for towing is a safety guideline that recommends you don’t tow a trailer that weighs more than 80% of your vehicle’s maximum towing capacity. This buffer of 20% provides extra room to account for factors like passengers, baggage, varying terrain, or miscalculations in trailer weight, helping to prevent damage to your vehicle and ensure safer handling under imperfect driving conditions. 
Why the 80% rule is important:

• Safety Margin: It provides a cushion for unexpected weight increases in the trailer or vehicle, such as passengers or cargo, ensuring you don’t accidentally exceed your vehicle’s limits. 
• Reduces Stress on the Vehicle: Towing at maximum capacity puts significant stress on your vehicle’s engine, transmission, brakes, and suspension. The 80% rule reduces this strain, potentially prolonging the life of these components. 
• Handles Imperfect Conditions: Weather conditions, road conditions, and the natural wear and tear on a vehicle can all decrease its actual towing capacity. The 80% rule accounts for these variables. 
• Prevents Damage: Exceeding a vehicle’s towing capacity can lead to frame warping, premature tire wear, and damage to the drivetrain. 
• Legal Compliance: By staying within this guideline, you are less likely to breach your vehicle’s legal towing limits set by the manufacturer. 

What can I tow with 4000 lbs capacity?

With a 4,000-lb towing capacity, you can tow smaller items such as personal watercraft, jet skis, kayaks, ATVs, snowmobiles, and motorcycles, as well as small travel trailers, teardrop campers, small enclosed utility trailers, and flatbed trailers. You can also tow smaller boats, small vehicles using a tow dolly, or even furniture. However, always remember that the trailer’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) should be less than your vehicle’s maximum towing capacity and that your vehicle’s total weight (including passengers and cargo) can affect its ability to tow safely.
 
Specific Items You Can Tow: 

• Watercraft: Canoes, kayaks, and small fishing boats or personal watercraft.
• Recreational Vehicles: Teardrop campers, small pop-up campers, and some small travel trailers.
• Powersports: ATVs, dirt bikes, motorcycles, and snowmobiles.
• Utility & Hauling: Small enclosed utility trailers, flatbed trailers, and utility trailers for landscaping or moving materials.
• Vehicles: Small cars using a tow dolly.

Examples of Vehicles with this Capacity: Audi Q5, Jeep Cherokee, Volvo XC90, and Honda Passport. 
Important Considerations:

• Check the GVWR: The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of your trailer is crucial. It’s often recommended to stay below 80% of your vehicle’s maximum towing capacity to leave room for other cargo, such as people and luggage. 
• Refer to Your Owner’s Manual: Your vehicle’s owner’s manual contains the most accurate information about its specific towing capabilities. 
• Consider the Entire Load: Remember that your vehicle’s towing capacity is the maximum it can safely pull. The weight of passengers, fuel, and other cargo inside your vehicle all count against this capacity. 

What Chevy SUV can tow 5000 pounds?

2025 Chevy Traverse
The 2025 Chevy Traverse Tows 5,000 Pounds With a Standard Trailering Package. Next in line, the latest Chevy Traverse comes standard with the brand’s Trailering package. This puts you at a max towing capacity of 5k pounds. That’ll handle most of your needs around Akron with plenty of wiggle room.