What is a Tow Package?

If you have spent any time out on the freeways of the U.S. you will have likely seen all manner of vehicles pulling a whole host of things behind them. It’s not just trucks and SUVs it can be almost any automobile you could imagine if they have an appropriate tow package.

In this article we will take a look at all the aspects of a tow package and how they work together to get the tough jobs done. When you buy a car you might be ready to tow straight away or sometimes you might have to make changes to make use of its ability to tow.

What Is a Tow Package?

Also sometimes known as a trailer package, a tow package is a group of components that will allow your vehicle to safely and efficiently tow a load. These packages will include everything you need to connect a trailer to your vehicle.

Generally speaking a trailer package will include a hitch receiver, wiring harness and sometimes more complex components like cooling fans. However, the tow package also refers to elements that are already part of your vehicle such as the engine. The two terms are interchangeable though so you might find trailer packages marketed as tow packages.

It should be noted that most vehicles come with some level of towing capacity although some may be of such a design as to not be able to connect up to a trailer especially those with a very low ride height.

What Makes Up a Towing Package?

As mentioned a towing package usually means the aspects of your vehicle that are already attached which create the ability to tow. These include:

A Strong Frame

A vehicle's capacity to tow is very dependent on the strength of its frame. It must not only support the vehicle's own weight but the extra strain placed upon it by the tow load.

In order to determine whether your vehicle has a strong frame that is suitable for towing you should look at its gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). This is the maximum amount of weight a vehicle can carry including the weight of the vehicle itself, passengers, cargo and trailers that are being towed.

A Big Engine

Having a strong frame is great but if you do not have the power to move that frame plus additional weight then you are limited greatly. This is why a big engine is essential for any substantial towing. A powerful engine helps with acceleration which is important with reaching speed while merging and pulling a load uphill.

The magic word when assessing whether or not the engine of your vehicle is suitable for towing is torque. You are going to want an engine with a high torque rating. This term refers to the force the engine can produce to turn the wheels. More force means more power to the wheels and they will turn more freely when towing higher weight.

An additional element to look out for is a turbocharged engine which you will often find in heavy duty trucks. Engines fitted with a turbocharger are even more powerful, produce more torque and potentially pull much more weight behind them.

Finally, fuel injected engines have an advantage when towing over the standard intake manifold style. This is because the fuel is more directly applied to the cylinders making for a more efficient burn and a more powerful engine.

Heavy Duty Brakes and Suspension

You have the frame and the engine has the power you need but you still need more from your tow package. Brakes and suspension are vital to a successful towing experience especially when dealing with heavy loads.

The act of towing puts extra pressure on your suspension and your brakes which means they have to work harder to keep your drive smooth and to stop your car's momentum. Heavy duty suspension and brakes can handle this better and will not only be safer but offer a more comfortable ride.

Towing a load increases heat in the brakes because they have to work harder to stop your vehicle. The rear suspension also undergoes more compression so a stronger set up will help your vehicle to stay stable and improve handling which is important for safe towing.

Trailer Package Elements

As mentioned the trailer package consists of elements that may have to be added to your vehicle aftermarket or as an optional extra upon purchase. These include:

Wiring Harness and Hitch Receiver

When towing a trailer it has to have an electrical connection to your vehicle so that when you brake the trailer can display brake lights. If it did not do this then vehicles behind you would not be able to see the brake lights on your vehicle and subsequently would have no warning of you stopping suddenly or indicating a turn. A special wiring harness creates the link between your vehicle and the trailer's own wiring.

The hitch receiver may already be part of your vehicle but some may not have one. If yours does not you will want to determine your vehicle's towing capacity and have the appropriate sized hitch receiver fitted. The size of the opening on a hitch receiver matches up to the hitches that are rated for specific weights. The smaller the hitch receiver the lower the weight it is designed for.

Trailer Sway Control

I hope you have never seen a trailer being towed that was weaving around behind the tow vehicle. This is scary and very dangerous, the aim is to move forward with the load maintaining a straight line behind you.

The trailer sway control is a device that is becoming more popular in trailer packages which helps to limit any errant movement from the trailer as you drive. It helps negate movement from cross winds or uneven roads.

Conclusion

A tow package refers to the additional towing equipment that can be added to a vehicle as well as the elements of its design that already allows you to tow a load. It can range from the vehicle's body, engine, suspension and brakes to the specific hookups and equipment that connect a trailer to the rear of your vehicle.

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