Towing Capacity Calculator
Check your total loaded trailer weight against your vehicle's rated tow capacity.
Total loaded weight vs. tow capacity
How this calculator works
This adds your trailer's empty weight, your horses' total weight, and tack/feed/gear to get the actual loaded weight you'll be towing, then compares it against your vehicle's rated tow capacity. Many trailer-towing mishaps come from underestimating total loaded weight -- horses alone can easily add 2,000+ lb to a trailer's empty weight.
Where these numbers come from
This is a straightforward weight-addition calculation. Your vehicle's actual rated tow capacity is set by the manufacturer and can be found in your owner's manual or on a driver's-door-jamb sticker -- always use that exact figure, not a general estimate, and remember that tow capacity assumes a properly equipped vehicle (weight-distribution hitch, brake controller, etc. as required).
Frequently asked questions
Does this account for tongue weight separately?
No -- this calculates total loaded trailer weight against your vehicle's gross tow capacity. Tongue weight (typically 10-15% of trailer weight) is a separate consideration for hitch class and vehicle payload capacity.
Why does the margin matter, not just staying under the limit?
Towing right at the limit leaves no margin for hills, wind, or emergency braking -- many experienced haulers recommend staying comfortably under the rated capacity, not just barely within it.
Is this the same as the Hitch Class Checker on GarageCalcs?
Related but different -- this compares your total load against your vehicle's overall tow rating; the Hitch Class Checker on GarageCalcs finds the minimum hitch class needed for a given trailer weight. Both matter for safe towing.
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