April 2008
Towing guide: Match the vehicle to the load
The load you'll be towing should influence your choice of vehicle. Use the following as a general guide.
LIGHT LOAD (up to 1,000 pounds) such as a catamaran, two off-road motorcycles, an ATV, a snowmobile, or a personal watercraft.
Vehicles: Most wagons and minivans and all pickups and SUVs.
Vehicles: Most wagons and minivans and all pickups and SUVs.
SMALL LOAD (up to 2,000 pounds) such as a small boat (up to 14 feet), a small camper trailer, or two ATVs, snowmobiles, personal watercraft,
or motorcycles.
Vehicles: Some wagons, most SUVs and minivans, all pickups.
Vehicles: Some wagons, most SUVs and minivans, all pickups.
MIDSIZED LOAD (up to 3,500 pounds) such as a medium-sized boat (up to 20 feet), large camper trailer, or small travel trailer.
Vehicles: Most minivans, pickups, and SUVs.
Vehicles: Most minivans, pickups, and SUVs.
LARGE LOAD (up to 5,000 pounds) such as a car transport or a boat (up to 20 feet long) or medium travel trailer.
Vehicles: Most traditional SUVs, a few minivans, and all full-sized pickups.
Vehicles: Most traditional SUVs, a few minivans, and all full-sized pickups.
HEAVY-DUTY LOAD (7,000 pounds or more) such as a large Airstream-type travel trailer, larger boat trailer, or two-horse trailer.
Vehicles: Full-sized pickups and SUVs only.
Vehicles: Full-sized pickups and SUVs only.
