Tow weight and carry weight are two of the most important qualities to pay attention to when you are considering buying a vehicle. If you are buying a vehicle in the near future, there is likely to be several different qualities that you will be looking at when reviewing each option. You’ll likely look at the gas mileage, the size of the car, the number of miles on the car, and more. However it is also important to consider the vehicle’s tow weight capacity and carry weight capacity.
If you need a vehicle that can regularly transport goods and people, it is important to understand these two weight capacities so that you can choose a vehicle that would work best for you. Continue reading to learn more about tow weight and carry weight.
What Is Tow Weight?
In simple terms, tow weight is the weight that a vehicle can safely and
legally tow behind it. The towing weight capacity is the maximum amount of
weight that the vehicle can tow. It is important for vehicle owners to not try
to tow more than their tow weight capacity, as it could lead to dangerous consequences.
For example, the trailer being pulled could swing out of control, causing
the entire vehicle to get into a hazardous position. Towing over the weight
capacity can also cause your brakes to wear out faster and make it more
difficult for the car or truck to slow down. Difficulty stopping can lead to
running red lights and stop signs and potentially lead to a crash.
What Is Carry Weight?
Carry weight accounts for the weight within a vehicle. The carry weight
includes the combined weight of both the passengers that are in the vehicle and
the amount of cargo that is being carried within the cabin and the trunk.
Carrying capacity refers to the total amount of passenger weight and cargo
weight that the vehicle can withstand. The carry weight capacity will be based
mostly on the type and size of the vehicle.
So, What’s The Difference?
So now that you know the definitions of both tow weight and carry weight,
you understand that there are some differences between the two. They are
certainly related in that they both measure how much weight a vehicle can
withstand. However, the difference between the two weights is how the weight is
distributed and where the weight is located, with the tow weight measuring the
weight behind the vehicle and the carry weight measuring the weight within the
vehicle.
Do You Want To Learn More About Your Vehicle?
If you are interested in learning more about your vehicle and its tow weight or carry weight, consider reaching out to us at Shadetree Automotive. Our website contains information about car repairs, maintenance, parts, and more. In addition to having comprehensive vehicle information on our website, we also have several experienced and knowledgeable vehicle technicians on our team that would be more than happy to answer your questions and help if your vehicle seemed to be having issues. For more information about our services, to get in contact with our mechanics, or to set up an appointment, feel free to contact us today.
