I created page to provide a starting point for your research to answer that basic question: “What truck do I need to tow it?” The truth is, there is no simple answer, but, there is a simplified tool available to ensure any tow vehicle you have your eyes on has the towing capacity you need. That tool is RV Tow Check.
A universal truth: The total weight of any tow vehicle plays an important role in the maximum towing capacity.
Here are some guidelines that provide a range of typical max towing capacity for the following truck classifications. The towing capacity range is based on the various trims or GVWRs that are available within that classification or model. For example: The Ford F150 is available with 10 different GVWRs. The first weight number is the max tow for a truck on the low end of the scale and the second number is the max tow on the high end of the scale. Therefore, it is imperative to look closely at specs of the truck you're interested in and appears to fit the towing range for your needs.
The criteria used for the max tow capacities: Curb weight plus 700 pounds, with a 20% pin weight for 5th wheel trailers and 12% tongue weight for conventional trailers. (5th wheel hitch, cargo, and two typical retired Americans) All weights in pounds. It is also important to always use the trailer's GVWR, not the dry weight, as the bases for your max tow weight. Dealers pushing or advertising only the dry weight numbers is a method that will likely get you into trouble.
Conventional Trailers: 11,900 - 18,000
Fifth Wheel Trailers: 6,200 - 17,085
Dual Rear Wheel (DRW)
Conventional Trailers: 18,000 - 22,800
Fifth Wheel Trailers: 15,100 - 29,400
Single Rear Wheel (SRW)
Conventional Trailers: 12,500 - 20,000
Fifth Wheel Trailers: 12,500 - 22,500
FACT: The owner's manual may state the truck will tow up to 12,000 pounds, or whatever. That means "up to"—only if there are two passengers weighing 150 pounds each, and no other options are added to the base curb weight. No 5th wheel hitch, no cargo, no pin or tongue weight, maybe no significant-other, no kids, no pets, nothing, nada, zilch.
(Chevy/GMC, Ram, Tundra)
Conventional Trailers: 5,000 - 12,000
Fifth Wheel Trailers: 5,100 - 7,400
(Ford)
Conventional Trailers: 5,000 - 12,000
Fifth Wheel Trailers: 5,000 - 11,500
Note: Currently, there is one specific model of the F150 truck that may be able to tow ultra-lite 5th wheel trailers. However, as I continue to monitor this, I am are reading that some of these F150 owners eventually traded up to a three-quarter ton truck and they were glad they did.
Conventional Trailers: 7,000 - 16,300
Fifth Wheel Trailers: 4,700 - 16,100
Dual Rear Wheel (DRW)
Conventional Trailers: 12,400 - 18,210
Fifth Wheel Trailers: 12,000 - 17,980
Single Rear Wheel (SRW)
Conventional Trailers: 10,900 - 20,000
Fifth Wheel Trailers: 12,000 - 16,100
After you've narrowed your search with the above information, continue to study the following detailed towing reviews.
Half-ton Truck Realistic Towing Capacity
Three-quarter Ton Truck
Realistic Towing Capacity
One Ton Truck Realistic Towing Capacity
Pickup Trucks 101: How Do SRW 2500s and 3500s Differ?
Q: How is it that a three-quarter ton gas truck has more max towing capacity than a three-quarter ton diesel truck?
A: The three-quarter ton diesel truck weighs over 800 pounds more than the gas truck. Weight matters!
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