Intro to MD: Calculating Tow Capacity - Tow Truck Driver Training

STEP 1

WEIGH THE FRONT STEERING AXLE OF YOUR TRUCK.
Don’t use the gross weight figure that is in your truck manual.

STEP 2

MEASURE YOUR WHEEL BASE.
Measure from the center of your steer axle to the center of your rear drive axle.

STEP 3

MEASURE YOUR OVERHANG.
Measure from the center of your drive axle to the actual lifting point of the casualty you are lifting.

NOTE: The point of lift depends on weather you are using your tow sling, receiver forks, or your wheel grid.

You want to calculate the maximum tow capacity if your overhang is retracted, half way extended, and fully extended.

STEP 4

DIVIDE THE WEIGHT OF YOUR FRONT AXLE BY 2.

STEP 5

MULTIPLY THE RESULT OF STEP 4 BY THE WHEELBASE.
(The measurement you calculated in Step 2.)

STEP 6

TAKE THE RESULT OF STEP 5 AND DIVIDE IT BY YOUR OVERHANG.
(The measurement from Step 3.)

STEP 7

CONFIRM THAT THE FRONT AXLE WEIGHT OF THE CASUALTY YOU WANT TO TOW, DOES NOT EXCEED THE CALCULATION YOU DID FROM STEP 6.