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Freedom Law School Image

How Much Can A 2017 Half-ton Truck Tow Without Exceeding Ratings?

Other years: 2015 - 2016 - 2018

Welcome to our exclusive one-of-a-kind web page showing a quick review of the best 2017 one-half ton trucks that includes the important tow rating details. Additional tow rating resources for other vehicles is found in the "Tow Ratings" menu above.

Important Notes:

  1. The vehicles shown below are base models with the highest capacity, and without all the bells and whistles.
  2. Therefore, any fancy half-ton truck's tow ratings will be less than what is shown below.
  3. As truck weight increases, the towing capacity will decrease, such as going from a 4X2 to a 4X4 model.
  4. Selecting optional gear ratio within the same vehicle will result in significant towing capacity changes. See examples of this on the one ton truck page.
  5. We did our best to present similar trucks within each style.
  6. Realistic towing capacities are provided by RV Tow Check (RVTC set at 12% TW and 20% PW.)
  7. For RVTC, we calculated additional load as follows: 5th wheel hitch—checked, cargo=150 lbs, two passengers=335 lbs.
WARNING! Never tow more than the manufacturer's published rating found in the vehicle owner's manual. Always ensure the hitch system meets the minimum towing weight of the trailer towed and it complies with the manufacturer's requirements.

Notice:
1. All rating information has been taken from published information provided by the manufacturer. Always verify vehicle ratings with the dealer. Ratings are subject to change by the manufacturer without notice. There may be slight differences between manufacturer's online views and PDF files.

2. CC=Crew Cab, DC=Double Cab, QC=Quad Cab, Std.=Standard Cab

(Updated 2/12/17 to reflect RVTC 3.0)

Ford F150

Cab/Drive Regular Cab 4X2 SuperCab 4X2 SuperCrew 4X2
Box Length (feet)

8

8 6.5
Wheelbase (inches) 141.1* 163.7 156.8
Engine 3.5 EcoBoost V6 3.5 EcoBoost V6 3.5 EcoBoost V6
Gear Ratio 3.73 3.73 3.73
Payload 3,240 †
2,950 †
2,890 †
GCWR 17,100 17,100 17,100
GVWR 7,850 7,850 7,850
GVW (Curb Wt.) 4,420 4,738 4,685
TWR 12,000 † 11,700 † 11,700 † **
Realistic towing capacities are provided by RV Tow Check
5th Wheel 11,945 11,582 11,680
Conventional 12,195 11,832 11,930

* FWS does not recommend this short wheelbase truck for 5th wheel towing and one would be wise not tow a TT too long in length.
** Requires Heavy Duty Payload Package with 17" wheels.
† Requires Heavy Duty Payload Package with 18" wheels.

Pay close attention to the GVWR. After visiting a local Ford dealership, the highest GVWR F150 on the lot like one of the models above was 7,050 lbs. Example: The SuperCrew above with the 7,050 lbs. GVWR, the RVTC drops to 8,400 lbs. for 5th wheel. We strongly recommend that any F150 with less than a GVWR of 7,850 lbs. should never be considered for towing any kind of fifth wheel trailer. 2017 Ford F150 towing guide.

Real F150 Owners Towing 5th Wheel

Here are two weight safety reports and a message from F150 owners who tows a fifth wheel. #1 Weight Safety Report #2 Weight Safety Report #3 Message from F150 owner

Starting with the 2018 Ford F-150, Ford no longer provides towing capacity information for fifth wheel towing. In fact, the towing specs online only lists maximum conventional towing.

Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Cab/Drive Reg. Cab 4X2 DC 4X2 CC 4X2 CC 4X2
Box Length (ft) 8 6.5 6.5 5.7
Wheelbase (in) 133 143.5 153 143.5
Engine 5.3L V8 6.2.L V8 6.2L V8 6.2L V8
Gear Ratio 3.42 3.42 3.42 3.42
Payload 2430* 2,160* 2,000* 2,080*
GCWR 15,000 18,200* 17,700 18,200
GVWR 6,800 7,400* 7,400* 7,400*
GVW (Curb Wt.) 4,796 5,216* 5,374* 5,295
TWR 9,800 12,500* 11,900* 12,500
Realistic towing capacities are provided by RV Tow Check
5th Wheel 6,345 7,245 6,455 6,850
Conventional 9,719 12,499 11,841 12,420

* With NHT (Max Trailering Package) Note: The 2017 brochure provides some 5th wheel tow ratings. - 2017 Silverado 1500 Specs.

Ram 1500 **

Cab/Drive Std. Cab 4X2 QC 4X2 CC 4X2 Std. Cab 4X2
Box Length (feet/inches) 8' 6'4" 6'4" 8'
Wheelbase (inches) 140.5 140.5 149.5 140.5
Engine 5.7L V8 Hemi 5.7L V8 Hemi 5.7L V8 Hemi 3L V6 eDiesel
Gear Ratio 3.92 3.92 3.92 3.92
Payload 1,700 1,790 1,680 1,510
GCWR 15,950 15,950 15,950 14,750
GVWR 6,600 6,900 6,900 6,600
GVW (Curb Wt.) 4,896 5,107 5,218 5,095
TWR 10,640 10,420 10,310 9,210
Realistic towing capacities are provided by RV Tow Check
5th Wheel 4,845 5,290 4,735 3,850
Conventional 10,158 10,358 9,974 8,499

** Ram does not provide 5th wheel tow ratings this truck. 2017 Ram 1500 towing guide.
Transmission model A6 65RFE was selected. The A8 8HP70 transmission tows less.

Toyota Tundra **

Cab/Drive SR Reg. Cab 4X2 SR5 DC 4X2 SR5 DC 4X2
Box Length (feet) 8.1 8.1 6.5
Wheelbase (inches) 145.7 164.6 145.7
Engine 5.7L V8 5.7L V8 5.7L V8
Gear Ratio 4.3 4.3 4.3
Payload 2,080 1,695 1,700
GCWR 16,000 16,000 16,000
GVWR 7,000 7,000 6,900
GVW (Curb Wt.) 4,920 5,300 5,170
TWR 10,500 10,100 10,300
Realistic towing capacities are provided by RV Tow Check
5th Wheel 6,725 4,825 4,975
Conventional 10,595 10,124 10,345

** Toyota does not provide 5th wheel tow ratings this truck. 2017 Tundra brochure

Nissan Titan XD Diesel

Cab/Drive S 4X2 CC SV 4X2 CC SL 4X2 CC Platinum
Box Length (feet) 6.5 6.5 6.5 6.5
Wheelbase (inches) 151.6 151.6 151.6 151.6
Engine (diesel) 5.0L V8 5.0L V8 5.0L V8 5.0L V8
Gear Ratio 3.916 3.916 3.916 3.916
Payload (1) 2,080 2,080 2,080 2,080
GCWR 19,450 19,450 19,450 19,450
GVWR 8,822 8,822 8,822 8,822
GVW (Curb Wt.) 6,710 6,875 7,111 7,202
TWR Gooseneck N/A 11,900 11,900 11,900
TWR Conventional 12,310 12,310 12,310 12,310
Realistic towing capacities are provided by RV Tow Check
Gooseneck (2) N/A 7,310 6,130 5,675
Conventional 12,255 12,090 10,216 9,458

(1) Payload with gooseneck hitch is reduced to 1,930 pounds.
(2) Since the gooseneck hitch is standard equipment, we did not add the 5th wheel hitch. If a 5th wheel hitch is added, include its weight in the "Gear/Cargo & Misc." entry on the RV Tow Check calculator.

"I have a 41 foot 5th wheel being pulled with a three-quarter-ton diesel and have no problems so far. Love it."

Escapees front cover July 2016Statements similar to the one above occur every day on various social media forums. Unfortunately, these statements are not helpful and could very well lead someone to purchase a trailer much too big for their tow vehicle. I know this first hand because I learned this costly lesson in 2009. Read more here.


Additional notes:

  1. Conventional trailer tongue weight should be 10% to 15% of total loaded trailer weight and not exceeding the installed hitch assembly. The addition of trailer tongue weight must not cause vehicle to exceed rear gross axle weight rating (RGAWR) or gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).
  2. Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight should be 15% to 25% of total loaded trailer weight. The addition of trailer kingpin weight cannot cause vehicle to exceed rear gross axle weight rating (RGAWR) or gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).
  3. The towing vehicle's brake system is rated for operation at the GVWR - NOT GCWR. Separate functional brake systems should be used for safe control of towed vehicles and for trailers weighing more than 1,500 lbs. when loaded.
  4. These ratings can be found on the certification label located on the driver door or door frame.
  5. Read "Before You Buy RV..." for additional information.

Our Apps

8Muddypaws says that the RV Tow Check App should be called the "RV Sales BS Detector."

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Conventional Trailer Weight Safety Report Calculator

Truck Camper Load Check Calculator

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