About TowSafe
Founded by an automotive engineer with 15+ years of experience in vehicle safety, TowSafe is dedicated to helping RV owners tow with confidence.
Meet the Founder
Johnathan Davis - Automotive Engineer & RV Enthusiast
Johnathan has spent his career working in vehicle safety engineering. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan and has worked for major automotive manufacturers including Ford Motor Company, where he specialized in towing system development and crash safety analysis.
After purchasing his first travel trailer in 2018, Johnathan realized that most RV owners lacked access to accurate towing safety information. He created TowSafe to bridge this gap, combining his engineering expertise with his passion for RVing.
Johnathan is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and follows the SAE J2807 towing standard in all calculations. He regularly contributes to RV safety forums and has been quoted in publications such as RV Magazine and Trailer Life.
Our Mission
Every year, thousands of RV owners hit the road without fully understanding whether their truck can safely handle their trailer. The result: white-knuckle driving, premature equipment wear, insurance claim denials, and in the worst cases, accidents.
According to NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) data, approximately 1 in 100 RV-related crashes involves trailer sway or improper weight distribution. Many of these accidents could be prevented with proper towing education and accurate calculations.
TowSafe exists to solve that. We consolidate the key specifications—towing capacity, payload, GVWR, GCWR, and tongue weight—into one place, run the math for you, and give you a clear, honest safety assessment.
Our Methodology & Standards
SAE J2807 Compliance
Our calculations follow the SAE J2807 standard, which is the industry-accepted methodology for determining trailer weight ratings. This standard ensures consistent testing procedures across all vehicle manufacturers and provides realistic, real-world towing capacities.
NHTSA Safety Guidelines
We reference NHTSAsafety guidelines for proper trailer loading, tongue weight distribution (10-15% for bumper pull, 20-25% for fifth wheel), and safe towing practices. NHTSA recommends keeping your loaded weight below 80% of your vehicle's rated capacity for optimal safety.
Manufacturer Specifications
Our vehicle database includes trim-level specifications sourced directly from manufacturer towing guides and official documentation. We verify all data against multiple sources including official manufacturer websites, door jamb sticker specifications, and certified dealer documentation.
Conservative Safety Thresholds
We use conservative safety thresholds: 80% of tow rating for the "safe" zone on towing capacity, and 90% for payload, GVWR, and GCWR. These buffers account for real-world variables like wind, grades, emergency maneuvers, and the added stress of extended highway driving.
Why Trust TowSafe?
All calculations follow SAE J2807 industry standards.
References NHTSA guidelines for safe towing practices.
Created by an automotive engineer with 15+ years experience.
Not affiliated with manufacturers or dealers.
Who We Serve
TowSafe is built for anyone who tows a trailer behind a truck or SUV and wants to know—with confidence—that their setup is safe. That includes:
- First-time RV buyers trying to figure out if their current truck can handle the trailer they are considering.
- Experienced RVers who want to verify their numbers after adding gear, passengers, or upgrading to a heavier trailer.
- Truck shoppers comparing payload and towing specs across trim levels to find the right vehicle for their towing needs.
- Fifth wheel owners dealing with the more complex pin weight and payload calculations that conventional travel trailer calculators do not handle well.
How We Make Money
TowSafe is a free tool. We sustain the site through affiliate partnerships with retailers of towing-related equipment (Amazon Associates). We may earn a small commission when you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you.
We will never accept payment from manufacturers to alter, inflate, or selectively present vehicle specifications. Our calculations remain unbiased and accurate regardless of advertising partnerships.
Contact
Found a bug? Have a suggestion for a vehicle we should add to the database? Want to report a data error? We want to hear from you.
Important:TowSafe is an informational tool, not a substitute for professional advice. Always verify your numbers against your vehicle's door jamb sticker and confirm actual weights at a CAT scale. See our Disclaimer and Data Sources pages for details.