3 Steps to Safe, Trouble-Free Towing Identify the towing capacity of the vehicle tow vehicle. (see owners manual) Determine the gross trailer weight of the tow item (fully loaded weight) Select the class of hitch rated your your vehicle (see chart below) IMPORTANT: Never tow a trailer heavier than the rated tow capacity of your vehicle. A higher "Class" of hitch does NOT increase the vehicles towing capacity. Gross Trailer Weight GTW Weight of the trailer fully loaded Tongue Weight TW Weight exerted by the trailer coupler on the hitch ball Weight Carrying WC Tow rating capacity of a hitch without a WD system Weight Distributing WD Tow rating capacity of a hitch when using a WD system Compact Cars Mid-Size Cars Full Size Cars, Mini-Trucks & Vans Full-Size Trucks, Vans & SUVs Class I Weight Carrying TW - Up to 200 lbs. GTW - Up to 2,000 lbs. Light Duty Light Duty Light Duty Light Duty Class II Weight Carrying WC TW - Up to 350 lbs. WC GTW - Up to 3,500 lbs. Medium Duty Medium Duty Medium Duty Class III Weight Carrying TW - Up to 500 lbs. GTW - Up to 5,000 lbs. Heavy Duty Heavy Duty Class IV Weight Carrying TW - Up to 1,200 lbs. GTW - Up to 12,000 lbs. Weight Distribuing TW - Up to 1,500 lbs. GTW - Up to 15,000 lbs. Heavy Duty Heavy Duty Class V Weight Carrying TW - Up to 1,300 lbs. GTW - Up to 13,000 lbs. Weight Distribuing TW - Up to 1,700 lbs. GTW - Up to 17,000 lbs. Extra Heavy Duty