Avenger V6-2.7L (2008)
Towing Information: Service and Repair
Trailer Towing - NAFTA
TRAILER TOWING - NAFTA
In this article, you will find safety tips and information on limits to the type of towing you can reasonably do with your vehicle. Before towing a trailer,
carefully review this information to tow your load as efficiently and safely as possible.
To maintain warranty coverage, follow the requirements and recommendations concerning vehicles used for trailer towing.
If you have any questions or concerns after reviewing this section, please consult your dealer for full details on the towing capabilities of the vehicle.
Common Towing Definitions
The following trailer towing related definitions will assist you in understanding the following information:
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the total allowable weight of your vehicle. This includes driver, passengers, cargo, and tongue weight. The
total load must be limited so that you do not exceed the GVWR.
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW)
The Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) is the weight of the trailer plus the weight of all cargo, consumables and equipment (permanent or temporary) loaded
in or on the trailer in its "loaded and ready for operation" condition. The recommended way to measure GTW is to put your fully loaded trailer on a
vehicle scale. The entire weight of the trailer must be supported by the scale.
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR)
The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total permissible weight of your vehicle and trailer when weighed in combination. (Note that
GCWR ratings include a 150 lbs (68 kg) allowance for the presence of a driver).
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) is the maximum capacity of the front and rear axles. Distribute the load over the front and rear axles evenly.
Make sure that you do not exceed either front or rear GAWR.
WARNING:
It is important that you do not exceed the maximum front or rear GAWR. A dangerous driving condition can result if either rating is exceeded.
You could lose control of the vehicle and have an accident.
Tongue Weight (TW)
Tongue Weight (TW) is the downward force exerted on the hitch ball by the trailer. In most cases it should not be less than or more than 10% of the
trailer load. You must consider this as part of the load on your vehicle.
Frontal Area
Frontal Area is the maximum height and maximum width of the front of a trailer and its cargo.
Weight-Carrying Hitch
A weight-carrying hitch supports the trailer tongue weight, just as if it were luggage located at a hitch ball or some other connecting point of the truck.
These kinds of hitches are the most popular on the market today and they're commonly used to tow small- and medium-sized trailers.
Trailer Hitch Classification
The following chart provides the industry standard for the maximum trailer weight a given trailer hitch class can tow and should be used to assist you in
selecting the correct trailer hitch for your intended towing condition. Refer to the Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings) chart for
the Max. GTW towable for your given drivetrain.
