What Size Travel Trailer Can I Haul?
When you lot footstep up from popup and teardrop campers to larger travel trailers or fifth-bike trailers, the demands on the tow vehicle become exponential.
Hither nosotros enter the realm where mid-size SUVs typically struggle or merely aren't capable of safely towing a travel trailer.
Specially if that travel trailer exceeds a v,000-pound gross vehicle weight rating when fully loaded.
If yous are in the market for a medium to large travel trailer or possibly a robust fifth-wheel trailer, then y'all are probable looking to pair information technology with the right pickup truck.
Though this is an understandably crowded marketplace with multiple makes, models, and even trim levels that tin influence a pickup truck'south towing capabilities.
It's understandable if y'all are wondering what size truck y'all demand to safely pull a travel trailer?
Right off the bat, the Ford F-150, the Chevy Silverado, and the Ram 1500 are all pop half-ton trucks that tin can safely pull most travel trailers of effectually 6,000 pounds or less. Though they aren't the only tow capable trucks or vehicles for that matter that can tow a travel trailer.
Iii-quarter and 1-ton pickup trucks are ofttimes called for to tow much heavier travel trailers and 5th-bicycle trailers that can tip the scales well over 10,000 to 15,000-pounds or more than in gross weight.
Above 15,000-pounds in gross vehicle weight rating and you volition surely need a one ton pickup truck to tow information technology safely at highway speeds.
To truly observe the best pickup truck to tow your travel trailer or fifth-bicycle trailer, nosotros are going to have to take a closer look at the factors that influence a vehicle'south towing capacity, also equally the sea of technical jargon that needs to exist minded before tongue ever meets hitch.
Along the manner, we will take a look at some of the more pop pickup truck options.
Hither are the trailer towing chapters of the trucks available in the U.S.
| Make & Model Of Truck | Maximum Towing Capacity |
|---|---|
| Ford F-150 Half-Ton | Max. towing capacity: 13,200 |
| Chevrolet Silverado Half-Ton | Max. towing capacity: 13,400 |
| GMC Sierra Half-Ton | Max. towing capacity: 13,400 |
| Nissan Titan Half-Ton | Max. towing chapters: 12,750 |
| Ram 1500 One-half-Ton | Max. towing capacity: 9,370 |
| Toyota Tundra Half-Ton | Max. towing capacity: 10,200 |
| Ford Super Duty F250 Three-Quarter Ton | Max. towing chapters: 18,200 |
| Chevy Silverado 2500 Three-Quarter Ton | Max. towing capacity: twenty,000 |
| GMC Sierra 2500 Three-Quarter Ton | Max. towing capacity: 20,000 |
| Ram 2500 3-Quarter Ton | Max. towing chapters: x,580 |
| Ford F350 One-Ton | Max. towing capacity: 21,200 |
| Chevy Silverado 3500 I-Ton | Max. towing capacity: twenty,000 |
| GMC Sierra 3500 One-Ton | Max. towing capacity: 20,000 |
| Ram 3500 One-Ton | Max. towing capacity: eighteen,000 |
Stay Inside The Tow Vehicle's Weight Rating
A quick flip through your intended pickup truck's owner's transmission volition give you the raw statistics on its towing capacity.
Though just because a particular truck might take a towing capacity of 10,000-pounds doesn't mean you can just hitch nine,999 pounds up to it and drive off down the interstate highway with a blissfully confident smile on your face.
The common rule of thumb is that you should never put more than 80% of your pickup truck's towing capacity on the back.
If a travel trailer'due south gross vehicle weight rating or GVWR is more than fourscore% of the pickup truck's towing capacity, and so yous are at real hazard of having a problem when dealing with hills, and wet or loose surfaces.
Overloaded trailers are also at increased risk of developing a very unsafe problem with trailer sway at highway speeds.
Of import Towing Terminology
Before we start digging into the physics and technical explanations of loading and towing a travel trailer with a pickup truck, we demand to first go over some key terms.
If you are new to towing a travel trailer with a pickup truck, these terms are worth going over more than than once to properly commit them to memory.
Finding A Pickup Truck's Towing Statistics
Nearly domestic pickup truck manufacturers exercise their best to be transparent about their vehicle's capabilities.
To the signal that they are oftentimes competing with each other over which 1 has the well-nigh towing capacity, or payload chapters.
Most of the specific ratings you lot need to know similar towing chapters and payload capacity can be found on a stamped metallic plate or printed on a permanent sticker in the pickup truck's commuter'south side door well.
Though if you are shopping for a new truck online and you don't want to be hassled by salesmen, y'all tin usually find that data online.
Simply go to your favorite search engine and blazon in "What Is The Towing Chapters Of A" then type the blazon of truck you are interested in.
Only make sure to include any trim level designations when entering the type of truck. With some truck manufacturers there can exist a major difference in towing statistics between the lowest trim level in their line and the highest.
Beware Auto Salesmen Claims
A lot of people will skip the cyberspace enquiry phase and go direct to the dealership to see what is actually available on their lot and at what toll.
Eventually, you are going to need to go physically motorcar shopping to make sure the truck you similar is in stock somewhere.
Unfortunately, the commission structure that car salesmen piece of work on encourages them to make fast sales based on slightly exaggerated claims.
More than than ane inexperienced car salesman has overhyped a truck'southward towing capabilities to brand the sale, only to get out the driver feeling over-promised and under-delivered.
So, no matter how much you might trust the salesperson, always accept the fourth dimension to look up the towing capacity of the exact make and model of truck that y'all are looking at.
Even if the information you are looking for isn't stamped in the commuter's side door well, you should nevertheless be able to find what you need with a quick search on your smartphone or tablet.
Determining How Much A Truck Can Tow
Let'south say you already accept a travel trailer or y'all plant a sweet deal on the travel trailer of your dreams and you lot pulled the trigger to close the bargain before buying the truck.
At that place are some people who volition argue that this is a lilliputian bit like putting the cart before the horse.
Though it can also be a major benefit, as you lot already know fundamental specifications like the gross vehicle weight rating, dry weight, and hitch weight.
The prevailing wisdom is that you should never try to pull annihilation, including a travel trailer within 80% of the pickup truck's maximum towing chapters.
An case of doing this math, let's say that your travel trailer has a gross vehicle weight rating of eight,000 pounds.
This is its maximum weight when loaded to the gills, the water tanks are full and all your gear is loaded with even distribution.
Then you need to target a pickup truck that is rated with at least a 10,000-pound maximum towing capacity.
Special Features To Expect For In A Tow Vehicle
Of grade, there is more than to an constructive tow vehicle than just the pickup truck'south maximum towing capacity.
Other special features and options will play into how the truck performs on the route while under load.
You usually see them in "Tow Packages" that are associated with a particular make and model'due south trim level.
Though they are non e'er standard with a tow bundle from one competitor to the adjacent.
You can await for the post-obit things when comparing apples to apples from one potential tow vehicle to the next.
If one make and model has one of the features and the other does non, y'all should consider moving it up your list.
Heavy Duty Shocks Or Springs
Some trucks take heavy-duty shocks in the rear, though many have leafage springs. Both can influence the rear pause when under load.
Information technology is a major factor that influences both payload chapters as well every bit the maximum hitch weight.
Universal Receiver Hitch
Some pickup trucks with a standard packet trim level will merely have a ball on the bumper.
Though the best tow packages come with a universal receiver hitch that is installed into the rear frame of the truck.
This lets you lot quickly switch the ball of the hitch to the trailer you are towing.
This is ideal if y'all happen to accept an equipment trailer or a boat trailer that you might need to tow when you aren't pulling your travel trailer camper.
Transmission Oil Coolers
Towing anything places increased stress on the engine and other components in the engine bay. This often translates to excess oestrus.
Specially in the pickup truck's transmission. A Transmission oil cooler helps proceed the transmission fluid from breaking downwardly, which can reduce your adventure of manual impairment that tin buildup over time.
Trailer Brake Controls
There are many new travel trailers and equipment trailers that come up with some sort of electric braking assist organization. With these, a special line in the wiring loom coordinates with accessory brakes on the travel trailer.
When you press the brake pedal on the truck, it also activates the brakes in the travel trailer.
This reduces stress on the truck, the tongue of the travel trailer, the hitch, and other primal components.
It is especially helpful for somewhat older travel trailers that can sometimes be prone to stress fractures in the nose acquired by repeated jarring from stopping and starting.
A Secondary Fuel Tank
Towing a travel trailer, especially a heavy i, will reduce the pickup truck's fuel efficiency.
Having a secondary fuel tank in the tow vehicle that you can switch over to volition reduce the number of refueling stops you lot need to brand.
Information technology'southward especially handy if you are the sort of person who likes to boondock off the grid for days at a fourth dimension, and don't want to drive to a potentially afar town just to refuel.
Tips For Towing A Trailer Safely
At that place are a few things to keep in mind when setting up your travel trailer and truck for a long bulldoze.
A few simple things that help keep you safe when driving from Indicate A to Point B, as well equally improving things similar fuel efficiency while reducing gradual wear and tear on the pickup truck or the travel trailer.
Residuum The Load For Ameliorate Hitch Weight
The hitch weight of a travel trailer has an enormous impact on the suspension and prophylactic towing capabilities of the pickup truck that'south towing it.
All also frequently people are tempted to just dump a heap of camping ground gear anywhere that it fits in the travel trailer and connect the tongue to the hitch.
Only to find out afterwards that the headlights are pointing toward the clouds and the rear interruption is dragging.
Not only is this hard on the vehicle's handling, only an improperly counterbalanced load with as well much forward-facing weight can harm the tongue of the trailer, harm the tow bar on the pickup truck or fifty-fifty cause damage to the truck's suspension arrangement.
More than 1 coincidental camper packer has suffered a damaged shackle and hanger while pulling their overloaded travel trailer downwardly the road.
Cantankerous Connect The Condom Chains
Each travel trailer has a ready of rubber bondage that are integrated into the natural language assembly.
While yous can connect them parallel to each other to the rear of the truck, and be safe, y'all will have less take chances of a problem if y'all cantankerous-connect them in an 10 to the rear of the truck.
This reduces the risk of one or both of the South hooks on the chains billowy loose if you bulldoze over bumpy terrain.
Test The Wiring Harness
Wiring harness components on the truck and travel trailer tin can be prone to corrosion and other problems.
Especially if they are existence stored outdoors. Before going on whatever trip, you lot should check to make sure all the restriction lights and indicators are working correctly.
If your travel trailer has an electronic braking organization, you should besides examination that as well.
Ideally, this should be done a day or two ahead of departing to give you time to gear up any problems. And then checked once again when y'all hook upwards to get out.
What Are Some Of The Best Trucks For Towing A Travel Trailer?
In the United states of america and Canada domestic trucks from Ford, General Motors and Contrivance are the nigh common tow vehicles chosen to pull travel trailers.
Though in contempo years Toyota and Nissan accept started making a name for themselves in this niche.
Each of these makes and models also has different trim levels and 2 packages that can affect their ability to tow a travel trailer.
While the piece of cake assumption is to simply purchase the model with the highest trim level, you might cease up paying for a bevy of other features and luxury accessories that have nix to practise with how the truck tows.
The post-obit are some baseline statistics for mid-trim levels on some of the most popular domestic one-half-ton pickup trucks. It'southward not the be-all-end-all selection, simply these models are a good place to start shopping.
The All-time Half-Ton Pickup Trucks For Towing A Travel Trailer
One-half-ton pickup trucks tend to exist very popular for tradesmen and sportsmen alike. Most accept gasoline engines and might serve equally a daily driver.
This makes them a popular place to starting time shopping when you are looking to pair 1 with your travel trailer.
Near one-half-ton pickup trucks can typically tow upward to vii,000 pounds. Though when we apply the dominion of staying within eighty% of the maximum towing capacity, it's wise to stay to six,500 to six,000 pounds or less for a gross vehicle weight rating travel trailer.
The Ford F-150
Ford has undergone some changes in recent years to cover 21st Century vehicle expectations for fuel efficiency and material build quality.
Though the Ford F-150 still remains one of the best selling trucks in history.
Their new Eco Boost engine has taken away a fiddling bit of the F-150'south base towing capacity, though it still has an impressive maximum towing capacity.
The Chevrolet Silverado & GMC Sierra 1500
While they take different badges, exterior styling cues, and different interior comfort features, these ii half-ton trucks from General Motors are substantially the same when it comes to towing capabilities.
While they exercise have a little chip lower of a base towing capacity, you also do tend to become a piffling flake meliorate MPG rating than some of the apples to apples competitors in the domestic truck marketplace.
The RAM 1500
Dodge has also undergone some 21st Century reinvention with their lineup of half-ton pickup trucks.
This translates into superior depression-stop torque, which could be preferable if yous need a tow vehicle that can pull a travel trailer upward difficult hills, or yous have a boat and yous need to pull it out of steep, rustic boat launches.
The Nissan Titan
This is Nissan'southward equivalent of a one-half-ton truck. It has a reputation for handling well and has practiced acceleration.
Though some argue that it'due south non meant for rugged treatment like some domestic models.
The Toyota Tundra
At present made in the USA, the Toyota Tundra is a somewhat newcomer to the world of one-half-ton pickup trucks.
It has Toyota'southward reputation for reliability and a lot of the rugged feel that you get from a domestic pickup truck from Ford, General Motors, or Contrivance.
The Best Three-Quarter Ton Pickup Trucks For Towing A Travel Trailer
Three quarter ton pickup trucks are the next step up from half-tons. They tend to be more robust in suspension, manual, and other important towing features.
A lot of them take heavy-duty diesel engines that farther produce superior torque. Though this does mean that have a much higher toll tag.
The average person who is driving to their 9 to 5 office job rarely uses a three-quarter-ton pickup truck.
And so, they are more common for tradesmen and construction workers who demand their trucks to work for a living.
3-quarter ton trucks can tow much more than half-tons. In general, you can safely tow a travel trailer with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 to 12,000-pounds.
Though at that place are certainly some models and trim levels that can tow even more that that safely.
The Ford Super Duty F-250
The Ford Super Duty F-250 departs from the Eco Boost engineering science with a powerful diesel engine.
This dramatically increases the maximum towing capacity and maximum payload. Though, equally you can imagine, it also increases the price.
At that place is more than enough power here to pull nigh travel trailers every bit well as fifth-bicycle trailers.
The Chevrolet Silverado 2500 & The GMC Sierra 2500
Here again, we have two dissimilar models from the same truck manufacturer.
Underneath the hood, you find the aforementioned powerful diesel fuel engine that makes the Chevy Silverado 2500 and the GMC Sierra 2500 so popular for towing heavy travel trailers and 5th-wheel trailers
The Ram 2500
There are ii unlike engines for the Ram 2500. Y'all can cull a gasoline 6.4 Liter V8 Or a six.vii Liter 6-cylinder diesel.
Information technology's also worth noting that Nissan used to offer an XD version of the Titan, which had commanding towing statistics. Though they stopped product in 2019, and have slowly been phasing it out of the tow vehicle market.
One Ton Pickup Trucks For Towing
For people who don't want to adventure a i-ton pickup truck certainly fits the nib.
These monsters of the road have massive diesel engines that can pull staggering amounts of weight.
Pretty much all of them come up with optional four-wheel drive which helps conquer tough terrain and steep inclines while under load.
Though all this power does come with a pretty steep toll tag. ane ton heavy trucks can tow over 12,000 to 15,000-pounds, which puts pretty much all heavy travel trailers and most fifth-wheel trailers in their commanding range.
The Ford F350
The Ford F350 is a powerful one-ton pickup truck that is frequently used by construction workers who need to tow heavy-duty equipment trailers or fifth-bicycle trailers.
Information technology's also ordinarily found in the agricultural sector pulling livestock trailers and other heavy weight subcontract equipment from Point A to Signal B.
Of course, this puts it in range to tow even the heaviest of RV travel trailers.6.7 Liter 6-cylinder diesel.
The Chevrolet Silverado & GMC Sierra 3500
Hither again, nosotros have ii nearly identical trucks from General Motors. Just the external styling, badges, and comfort features differ.
Otherwise they are both very powerful towing machines with diesel engines.
The Chevrolet Silverado is more popular and yous are more likely to get a meliorate resell value afterwards if you are buying new.
The Ram 3500
Ram is another highly competitive domestic truck manufacturer who continually manages to accept a bite out of Ford and Full general Motors pieces of the marketplace share.
The Ram 3500 has a powerful diesel engine just similar Ford and General Motors offerings in this niche.
Though they tend to have a higher payload chapters in their beefed up rear intermission too as impressive low finish torque.
This makes the Ram 3500 popular for towing fifth-bicycle trailers, equally well as travel trailers that need to tackle steep terrain.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does The Average Travel Trailer Counterbalance?
The average travel trailer has a dry weight of around 5,200-pounds. Which is in range for pretty much all half-ton pickup trucks.
At that place are even a few full-size SUVs that can tow an boilerplate travel trailer. Especially some of the lighter models, which might but have a dry weight of 2,000-pounds.
Though there are certainly some behemoths that are loaded with extra features, massive h2o storage tanks, and stretch beyond 30-feet in length.
These travel trailers when fully loaded can tip the scales with a gross vehicle weight rating of over 10,000 to 12,000-pounds.
How Does A Travel Trailer's Dry Weight Bear upon The Tongue Weight?
Equally a rule of thumb, you tin guess a travel trailer's tongue weight to be roughly x% of the gross weight.
Though the engineering specifics and how the trailer is loaded can change this percentage in either direction.
How Exercise I Estimate The Payload Capacity Of My Travel Trailer?
Nigh travel trailers take a payload capacity that's listed right alongside the dry weight and gross vehicle weight rating.
This is the manufacturer'due south estimated chapters of gear that the trailer's suspension, natural language, and other components tin safely handle.
Exceeding the payload weight or loading the weight unevenly in the travel trailer tin be a safety issue, it can damage the tongue, the interruption and even cause a dangerous trailer sway trouble when traveling at highway speed.
Information technology'south important to notation that the payload chapters also factors in liquid weights. This includes things like fresh water, grayness h2o, and black water tanks, or fifty-fifty fuel tanks on a toy hauler travel trailer.
For the sake of easy math, you should assume that every one gallon of water weighs in as 9-pounds.
This is a little over the actual weight of a gallon of h2o, but it is always meliorate to err on the side of caution.
Gasoline Or Diesel Engine: Which Is Better For Towing Camper Trailer ?
Diesel fuel engines used to exist rarer in pickup trucks than gasoline. They ordinarily were only express to three-quarter-ton trucks or larger.
Though today more than and more trucks and cars of all sizes are embracing diesel for its fuel efficiency and low-end torque.
This also makes diesel engines ameliorate at towing heavy travel trailers and fifth-wheel trailers.
The trade-off here is that diesel engine trucks tend to cost more. In some parts of the United States diesel isn't carried as much in typical gas stations.
So, y'all might need to preplan your fuel stops at truck stops that always offering diesel for commercial vehicles.
With a gasoline engine, you are going to have a lower initial buy cost and y'all can trust that pretty much every fuel station you stop at will behave gasoline.
Practice I Need A Four Wheel Drive Truck To Tow A Travel Trailer?
On paper, yous don't need a four-wheel-bulldoze truck to drive a travel trailer on the highway from Point A to Signal B.
In fact, driving at highway speeds with a truck with a locking rear differential-style of four-bicycle drive on dry out pavement can exist dissentious to the wheel hubs.
Where four-wheel-drive becomes handy is when you are towing your travel trailer in rough or poor road weather condition.
Muddied roads, steep inclines, and snow can all bog downward a ii-wheel-drive truck pulling a heavy travel trailer.
If possible, a four-bicycle-drive truck is always a good idea, for times when y'all demand your tow vehicle to become yous out of a pinch.
Simply be prepared to pay an extra 10% or more for a vehicle that has 4-wheel bulldoze available.
Are Camera Systems Important For A Truck Towing A Travel Trailer?
These days more than and more pickup trucks are coming with blind-spot and other innovative camera systems.
They don't really help you when towing a travel trailer down the road from Point A to Signal B.
Though a fill-in camera system tin certainly assistance with backing your travel trailer into a tight campsite or lining upward the hitch with the natural language of the travel trailer.
Peculiarly if you are working alone or without a competent spotter to help guide you.
Conclusion
There are a lot of different makes and models of pickup truck to choose from. Pairing your travel trailer with the best truck does crave putting in a fiddling research every bit well as doing the math.
This includes the statistics on the pickup truck besides as the travel trailer y'all intend to tow information technology with.
If you are looking for a travel trailer with a gross vehicle weight rating of 3,500 to 6,000-pounds, and so most of the half-ton pickup trucks like the Ford F-150, the Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, Toyota Tundra, RAM 1500, and the Nissan Titan might be the best selection.
These trucks are common on the route with people of all interests and vocation.
Though if you own or are thinking about ownership a travel trailer that weighs more than than 6,000-pounds for the gross vehicle weight rating, so a iii-quarter-ton is probably the best truck to tow a heavy travel trailer.
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