Understanding Pickup Truck Towing Capacity: A Buyer's Checklist

If you buy a pickup truck in the UAE, there’s a good chance that at some point you’ll want to utilize its towing capabilities. However, it’s not simply a matter of hitching any trailer up to the towing ball and heading off – you have to understand towing capacity and the maximum limits that your truck is capable of pulling. 
At RAM UAE, we appreciate that you want your pickup truck to be as versatile as possible, so we’ve put together a guide to understand towing capacity and what towing technology to look for when you’re buying a pickup truck.

What is towing capacity?
Put simply, the towing capacity of a vehicle is the maximum weight it can safely tow. This will be down to several factors, including the size and weight of the vehicle, the engine power, the brakes and the transmission. It's important to bear in mind that the maximum weight doesn't just mean the weight of the trailer on its own or the weight of the cargo but the total weight of both.

Why is it so important to know your towing capacity?
If you tow a load that is heavier than the maximum your vehicle is designed to pull, it could cause serious damage to your vehicle. But more importantly, it could be a danger to the public and yourself. If you’re towing a very heavy load it can affect everything from braking and acceleration to vehicle control and maneuverability.

How a pickup truck tows
In most cases, the entire weight of your towed load is focused on a single point – the towing hitch or ball. If you exceed the maximum towing capability of your vehicle you risk that point failing and the trailer becoming detached from the vehicle. So the bottom line is that safety has to be your primary concern whenever you hitch up a trailer to your vehicle.
However, some modern high-end trucks use integrated towing hardware where a factory-installed rear-axle structural cross member removes the need for the old-fashioned ‘hitch’. Instead, they have integrated mounting hardware for specialist towing setups known as ‘goosenecks’ or fifth-wheel towing systems. These use the bed of the truck as their base rather than attaching a ball to the rear of the vehicle. Tough, strong and more reliable, they provide a solid mount from which to attach your trailer.

How do I find out my towing capacity?
Your towing capacity should be noted in your owner’s manual, as well as on an information plate usually found on the inside of the driver’s door. Your dealer will tell you all about your vehicle’s towing capacity when you buy your pickup truck in the UAE. You should also be able to find model-specific towing capacity information online or by contacting your local dealership.

Towing the digital way
The most advanced trucks have specialist software, and digital driver features that help make it even easier to tow a heavy load. These include 360° towing cameras and reverse assist features to help you back up your trailer. When towing, the aim is to keep the trailer in line with the vehicle, and modern digital technology helps you do that.

Choosing a truck that can tow easily
With integrated towing hardware and digital software that includes a special trailer camera, RAM has you covered when it comes to towing safely and easily. Additional extras such as Auto-Level Rear Air Suspension also make it easy to hook up your trailer.

Test drive a RAM today
It’s easy to find out more about the towing capabilities of RAM trucks, with both the 1500 and the 2500 on offer in a variety of trims. Book a test drive online today and discover the versatility and style of RAM for yourself.