The Truck Trend Network website has provided an excellent article explaining the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J2807 requirements and it can be found here: SAE J2807 Tow Tests - The Standard

Here are some highlights.

• SAE J2807 includes all vehicles up to 14,000 pounds GVWR.
• The tow test procedures designed by the big brains at the SAE consist of a series of rigorous real-world challenges to determine the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of a vehicle and trailer combination.
• The rules require that a tow vehicle “shall be equipped with the propulsion system or powertrain and driveline (engine, transmission, axle ratio, tire size, etc.) and cooling package to produce the GCWR under test.”
• The SAE J2807 document defines procedures and requirements to determine Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) and calculate corresponding Trailer Weight Rating (TWR) for any tow vehicle.
• In addition to a vehicle’s base curb weight, the “Tow Vehicle Total Weight” (TVTW) for testing tow vehicles allocates 150 pounds for the driver, 150 pounds for a front seat passenger, the weight of all tow package equipment, and spicified weight of optional equipment (hitch ball, weight distribution bars, fifth wheel hitch, and such) split evenly between the front and rear axles.

The SAE J2807 test procedures are designed to level the playing field in trailer tow ratings for all vehicles model year 2013 or later.

The test procedures include the following:

• Launch on Grade
• Flat-Out Acceleration
• Highway Gradeability
• Total Control
• Braking Performance

Tow Vehicle Propulsion Requirements and Level Road Acceleration

PERFORMANCE ATTRIBUTE	PERFORMANCE METRIC	REQUIREMENT
Level Road Acceleration	0-60 mph	30.0 seconds single-rear-wheel/35.0 seconds dual-rear-wheel
Level Road Acceleration	0-30 mph	12.0 seconds single rear wheel /14.0 sseconds dual rear wheel
Level Road Acceleration	40-60 mph	18.0 seconds single-rear-wheel/21.0 seconds dual-rear-wheel
Launch on Grade	12% grade, forward direction	Five launches to 5.0 meters (16 feet) in 5 minutes
Launch on Grade	12% grade, reverse direction	Five launches to 5.0 meters (16 feet) in 5 minutes
Highway Gradeability	Minimum speed on grade (Davis Dam)	40 mph single-rear-wheel/35 mph dual-rear-wheel
Highway Gradeability	Drivetrain system performance	No component failures, no diagnostic codes that alert the operator, no customer warnings
Highway Gradeability	Cooling system performance	No component failures, no diagnostic codes that alert the operator to take service or driving action, no customer warnings, no fluid loss

Combination Handling Requirements

PERFORMANCE ATTRIBUTE	PERFORMANCE METRIC	REQUIREMENT
Tow-vehicle understeer	Understeer* for0.1 g ≤ Lateral acceleration ≤ 0.3 g	<0 degree/g
Trailer Sway Response	Trailer sway damping ratio	≤ 0.10 at 100 km/h (62.1 mph)

*Understeer is calculated by averaging left and right turn directions

Combination Braking Requirements

PERFORMANCE ATTRIBUTE	PERFORMANCE METRIC	REQUIREMENT
Combination Stability	Deviation within lane	Remain within a 3.5-meter-wide (11.5 feet) lane throughout stop
Combination Stopping Distance	Stopping distance 20-0 mph for TWR ≤3,000 pounds	≤35 feet, except ≤45 feet at any TWR above the tow vehicle’s unbraked TWR
Combination Stopping Distance	Stopping distance 20-0 mph for TWR >3,000 pounds	≤80 feet
Park Brake Performance	Hold on grade	12% grade at GCWR (upward and downward)