Cars that can tow Boats

[Markus]

This is because the Europeans have a totally different vehicle tow rating system than we do. First, their vehicle manufacturers, hitch manufacturers and governments are all in communication with each other and collaborate to calculate the maximum towing load of each vehicle. Second, they also collaborate to determine the only allowable hitch attachment points, and these are detailed in the "whole vehicle identification plate", which we have on US cars also but ours does not contain this information. Our vehicle manufacturers, hitch manufacturers and government do not collaborate on towing attachment points and towing ratings. In fact, the last time the VESC vehicle code committee met was back in 1983. The VESC has not been active since then. Today, the SAE is the only active body that studies towing. The Europeans also require hydraulic surge brakes on even small trailers, so this helps to provide more stopping capability.

Thank you, John. I now understand why US tow ratings are (from my perspective) so low.

Correction, though: surge brakes are required, but not necessarily hydraulic.