Payload
The total weight your vehicle can carry, including passengers, cargo, accessories and the downward load from a trailer hitch.
A 1,500 lb payload rating must cover people, luggage and tongue weight.
Source ↗ Reviewed 2026-10-08RV towing terms explained.
No jargon required. Use this index, or tap an underlined term in our tow guide.
Try Tow Confidence →15 terms
Towing capacity
The maximum trailer weight a properly configured vehicle is rated to pull under the manufacturer’s stated conditions.
A 9,000 lb tow rating does not mean you have enough payload for every 9,000 lb trailer.
Source ↗ Reviewed 2026-10-08GVWR
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: the maximum allowable loaded weight of a vehicle or trailer as set by its manufacturer.
A trailer must not exceed its own GVWR.
Source ↗ Reviewed 2026-10-08GCWR
Gross Combination Weight Rating: the maximum allowable combined loaded weight of the tow vehicle and trailer, as rated by the manufacturer.
Passengers, cargo, vehicle and trailer all contribute.
Source ↗ Reviewed 2026-10-08GAWR
Gross Axle Weight Rating: the maximum load allowed on a particular axle.
Front and rear axle ratings can differ.
Source ↗ Reviewed 2026-10-08Tongue weight
The downward force a conventional trailer places on the tow vehicle’s hitch.
Tongue weight uses part of the vehicle’s payload.
Source ↗ Reviewed 2026-10-08Pin weight
The vertical load a fifth-wheel trailer transfers to the truck through the fifth-wheel hitch.
Pin weight can use a substantial portion of truck payload.
Source ↗ Reviewed 2026-10-08Dry weight
The reported trailer weight before some cargo, water and other loading; definitions can vary by manufacturer.
Plan using verified loaded weight, not dry weight alone.
Source ↗ Reviewed 2026-10-08Curb weight
The weight of a vehicle with standard equipment and operating fluids, under the manufacturer’s definition.
Passengers and camping gear add to this.
Source ↗ Reviewed 2026-10-08Weight distribution hitch
A hitch system designed to redistribute some tongue load between the tow vehicle and trailer axles when compatible and properly adjusted.
It does not increase manufacturer vehicle ratings.
Source ↗ Reviewed 2026-10-08Hitch receiver rating
The maximum permitted load for the receiver and hitch configuration, including trailer and tongue-weight limits.
Your receiver can be the limiting factor.
Source ↗ Reviewed 2026-10-08Brake controller
A device that controls compatible electric trailer brakes from the tow vehicle.
Required equipment depends on trailer and applicable laws.
Source ↗ Reviewed 2026-10-08VIN
Vehicle Identification Number: a unique identifier that can help identify a vehicle, but does not by itself prove its exact towing configuration.
Use it to begin lookup, then confirm the relevant labels.
Source ↗ Reviewed 2026-10-08Tow package
A manufacturer-specified set of equipment/configuration that may affect towing capability.
Two trucks of the same model can have different ratings.
Source ↗ Reviewed 2026-10-08Safety margin
Additional capacity deliberately left unused to account for uncertainty or operating conditions; it is not a substitute for complying with every manufacturer limit.
Do not treat an arbitrary percentage as a safety certification.
Source ↗ Reviewed 2026-10-08