The towing capacity of your vehicle could roughly translate to the weight of luggage you can carry with your vehicle and hence the fun you could have on a vacation trip. Whether you are traveling alone, with your friends or family, there can be times when you feel that the towing capacity of your vehicle is not enough. You are not alone! A lot of SUV owners, half-ton pickup trucks, and light-duty pickup trucks often find themselves coveting a little more towing capacity.
Although it is impossible to increase the towing capacity of a vehicle from the recommended capacity by the manufacturer there are ways to improve it. If you want to increase the maximum towing capacity of your vehicle, the best course of action is to consult the most reliable professionals near you. You will be needing mechanical upgrades that generally need heavy installations. A group of knowledgeable specialists can assist you in determining what is superlative for your safety.
The following is a quick rundown of several basic methods for increasing towing capability.
Tips To Increase Towing Capacity
Use Premium Gasoline
If you are planning to put a larger load on your truck or SUV, it’s a given that you need to enhance the overall performance. Towing puts a lot of strain on the engine so it needs more energy and hence burns more fuel. The first step is to check the quality of fuel you are using. If you are using regular gas, you are least likely to make the most of your engine's towing capacity. Use premium gasoline that has a higher octane level. It assures that the engine of your vehicle is working at its best.
Maintain Your Vehicle's Routine Maintenance
In order to utilize the maximum towing capacity of your vehicle as rated by the manufacturer, the vehicle has to work under ideal conditions. It’s hard to meet this criterion but you can achieve the maximum efficiency by keeping up with the routine maintenance. Examine the intake and exhaust system and replace dirty filters regularly. Check the suspension system and hitch for any damages.
Now let us jump into the details that can help you re-engineer your vehicle for better towing capacities.
Install A Weight Distribution Hitch
The hitch is an important part of towing, even if it isn't the most interesting part of your truck. First and foremost, it must be rated to support the weight of your trailer. Your best bet is to upgrade to a weight-distribution hitch. Although it calls for more money this simple change can make a lot of difference to the towing capacity. A weight distribution hitch effectively ensures that the tongue weight of the trailer is kept between 10 to 15 percent of the total load. This installation will significantly reduce the chance of losing control during the tow. You are required to install a weight-distribution hitch by law if the towing outweighs your vehicle weight by one-half.
Invest In A Vehicle Programmer
An electronic control unit in your vehicle is designed to manage all electronic features. The programmable internal computer chips can be used to operate the engine with a combination of output components and input sensors. You can find a reliable vehicle programmer or experienced towing contractors that can adjust onboard settings to yield maximum torque and horsepower. You can also adjust the settings such as air intake, gear shifting, and fuel efficiency to enjoy the maximum possible towing capacity.
Upgrade The Radiator
The size of the radiator plays an integral role in the towing capacity of your vehicle. As the load on your vehicle is expected to increase, more heat will be generated and thus you require a better radiator to increase the cooling efficiency of the system.
Install A Better Suited Suspension
The suspension system mainly connects the vehicle to the wheels and ensures smooth movement on the road. Get in touch with the best towing companies to know which suspension system better suits your vehicle. It’s best not to decide on your own because an inappropriate suspension system can lead to serious accidents. This upgrade will distribute more weight to the front of the vehicle and thus enables a smooth ride.
Improve The Intake And Exhaust System
Intake and exhaust systems allow the vehicle to breathe. Invest your money in improving these systems in your vehicle and you can successfully torque and engine horsepower for efficient towing.
Install An Efficient Braking System
The vehicles that can be used for towing are endowed with hydraulics braking systems. It allows slowing down and stopping more reliably. So it is a crucial component for quick braking responses. Adding a heavier trailer adds more strain on the vehicle and by rule, the vehicle takes much longer to stop. Upgrade the rotors and brake pads with premium quality parts.
How to Determine Your Vehicle's Towing Capacity
Every manufacturer builds a vehicle with a specific gross vehicle weight rating or better known as GVWR (you can find it mentioned in the owner’s manual). It defines the amount of cargo and trailer weight. Steering capabilities, internal controls, and other motor systems are constructed to meet the rating. You can find out the towing capacity of the vehicle if you have the two basic metrics on your hand, base curb weight, and cargo weight. The former is the weight of the empty vehicle and the latter is the weight of all the things you put inside or outside of the vehicle. To know the towing capacity or allowable payload, all you have to do is to subtract your cargo weight from the GVWR.
Visit QRG101 To Find The Best Towing Contractors In Your Area
In some cases, you cannot increase the towing capacity of your vehicle as per your needs, no matter what you do. Do not fret! You can always hire the best contractors from QRG 101. Visit our business directory to find the most reliable towing companies operating near you.
Leave a comment