Methodology

Matchup decision rules

How Tow-Match assigns pass, caution, fail, or unavailable states for the staged cohort.

Decision flow

Validate source and freshness support for verdict-critical fields.
Resolve assumptions and classify known uncertainties.
Evaluate tow, payload, tongue-weight, and GCWR margin signals.
Assign outcome state with a named primary limiting factor.
Withhold the verdict when provenance or freshness policy requires suppression.

State meanings

Pass: plausible planning match under visible assumptions.
Caution: narrow or uncertain case requiring verification before reliance.
Fail: critical limit exceeded under stated assumptions.
Unavailable: source, freshness, or scope constraints prevent a bounded verdict.

Methodology version and review

Methodology version: tow_match_v0.2026-04-19
Last material change: 2026-04-19
Last editorial review: 2026-05-11
Scope: Applies to staged cohort 2026-04-18.v0

Tow-Match is a planning aid for supported travel-trailer pairings in the staged validation cohort. It does not certify safety, legal compliance, loaded-scale results, hitch setup, or manufacturer approval for your exact configuration.