safe travel trailer towing checklist and calculator

Can I Tow This?

Enter tow vehicle and trailer/RV information to determine if your setup is over its weight rating. After you click "Calculate," the results will appear at the bottom of the page. You can enter multiple vehicle-trailer combos, and the results will be listed sequentially, until you use the "Clear" button or refresh the page. No data is saved. (About this calculator.)

GCVWR = Maximum Allowable GCVW

GCVW = Truck Curb Weight + Driver + Passengers + Truck Cargo + Trailer Dry Weight + Trailer Cargo GCVW = visit a truck scale with your rig (ideal)

Payload = Driver + Passengers + Truck Cargo + Hitch

Payload Rating = Truck GVWR - Truck Curb Weight

Trailer GVWR = Trailer Dry Weight + Trailer Cargo

Definitions:

Vehicle curb weight, or dry weight: The weight of your vehicle (the one doing the towing) completely empty. No driver, no passengers, no cargo, no extra features, maybe even an empty gas tank. This can be found on a sticker inside the door frame, in the owner's manual, or elsewhere from the manufacturer. The only way to get an accurate curb weight is to take your vehicle to a weigh station and weigh it with no one and nothing in it.

GVWR, or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The maximum amount your vehicle can weigh, including all passengers, cargo, and the weight of the trailer hitch (see below). This is provided by the manufacturer on a door sticker, owner's manual, or other manufacturer's publication.

GCVWR, or Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating: The maximum amount the combination of vehicle and trailer can weigh, including all passengers, cargo, water and waste tanks, propane, food, and toys. This is provided by the manufacturer.

GCVW, or Gross Combined Vehicle Weight: The actual weight of the combination of vehicle and trailer, including all passengers, cargo, water and waste tanks, propane, food, and toys. The best way to get an accurate GCVW is by taking your vehicle and trailer to a weigh station.

Payload rating: The maximum weight that can be hauled inside the vehicle, including driver, passengers, cargo, and the hitch weight. A payload rating is published by the manufacturer, but can be calculated by finding the difference between a vehicle's GVWR and curb weight.

Payload: The actual payload is the combined weight of the vehicle curb weight, the driver, all passengers (including pets!), cargo, and the hitch weight.

Trailer Dry Weight: The weight of your trailer completely empty. Manufacturers' definitions of "empty" can vary widely, and may or may not include propane, water or waste tanks, or extra features added after manufacture. This number can be found on a sticker from the manufacturer. The only way to get an accurate dry weight is to take your trailer to a weigh station and weigh it empty.

Trailer GVWR, or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The maximum amount your trailer can weigh, including cargo, water and waste tanks, and propane. This is provided by the manufacturer on a door sticker or other manufacturer's publication.

Hitch weight: This is generally about 10% of the trailer's GVWR, but is also provided by the manufacturer. Getting an accurate hitch weight will result in a more accurate payload calculation.

Disclaimer: If you find any errors or omissions, I would be very grateful if you sent me an email so I can update this tool. I am not an expert in this topic, and I hope you'll do your own math to confirm what's offered here. Many factors go into safely towing a vehicle, including tire and axle weight ratings, which are not included in these calculations. This tool also assumes you have loaded your trailer to its maximum capacity, but no further. I offer this as a tool to aid you in your decision-making process, not as a towing expert or consultant. I hope this helps you and makes your life a little easier. Happy trails!

Tow Rating Guide

Select your tow vehicle below and we'll show you the rvs within your towing capacity., understanding your vehicle’s tow rating capacity is critical to choosing the right rv for you and your family., towing your next rv safely down the road will depend on having the right tow vehicle and rv combination..

Attention: Your vehicle's max towing capacity includes passenger weight, added accessories, any current liquids in tanks, and any cargo you've added such as food, clothes, chairs, grills, games, tools, etc.. For purposes of Find an RV I can Tow, we've allowed 1000 lbs for RVs over 8000 lbs, 750 lbs for RVs under 8000 lbs, and 500 lbs for RVs under 5000 lbs for average Cargo Weight. Always confirm your specific tow vehicles towing capacity directly from your vehicle's manufacturer before purchasing or towing an RV. You are responsible for the decision to operate your vehicle and any RV you may tow.  If your specific vehicle is not listed, please contact us for assistance.

Terms & Definitions

• Dry Weight/Shipped Weight - The weight of the RV as shipped from the manufacturer without any passengers, cargo, liquids, or additional accessories or dealer installed options.
• Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) - The current combined weight of the RV (dry weight) plus passengers, cargo, and liquids.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) - The maximum allowed weight of an Vehicle/RV, including passengers, cargo, fluids, etc..
• Cargo Weight - The total weight of all passengers, food, clothing, liquids, accessories, etc.. that you might put into your RV.
• Tongue/Hitch Weight - The weight/pressure applied from the trailer tongue/coupler to the conventional/bumper hitch on your vehicle.
• Pin Weight - This is often referred to as the weight/pressure applied from fifth wheel king pin to the hitch in the bed of your truck.
• Payload Capacity - For Trucks the amount of weight you can safely add to the bed of the truck. Your Fifth Wheels Hitch Weight or Pin Weight plus the actual weight of hitch plus any other accessories you have in the bed of the truck must not exceed the Payload Capacity amount. Confirm Payload Capacity with your vehicle’s manufacturer.
• Max Towing Capacity - The maximum weight limit that can safely be towed by your specific vehicle. This weight is calculated by adding the RV’s GVW with weight of all passengers, cargo, and liquids in your tow vehicle.

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Free Towing Weight Calculator (Trailer-5th Wheel-Gooseneck)

Truck specs, truck payload, result summary, result details.

You can use this calculator to:

• Work out if your truck can tow a given RV
• See the heaviest RV your truck can tow
• Work out how much payload you have left once your RV is hitched
• See how close you are to limits such as GVWR, GCWR, etc.
• Understand generally your RV weights

The calculator assumes you are familiar with terms like GVWR, GCWR, UVW, etc. If you’re not, then please read the "Acronym Definitions" section first.

Disclaimer: It is your responsbility to check all formulas, numbers and data for accurate information. Also check the load capacity of your tires. This calculator does not include Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). Make sure you check your axle ratings and compare to your scale. The developers of this calculator are not liable for any inaccuracies and this calculator is not meant to replace or override the suggestions of professionals. Please drive safely and happy camping!

[1] Truck Curb Weight = Truck GVWR - Payload Capacity

[2] Towing Capacity = GCWR - Truck GVWR

[3] RV GVW = RV UVW + Cargo Weight

[4] RV Payload Capacity = RV GVWR - RV UVW

[5] Truck GVW = Truck Curb Weight + Passenger Weight + Cargo Weight + Hitch Weight

[6] GCW = (Truck GVW - Hitch Weight) + RV GVW

[7] Hitch Weight = Hitch Weight Percentage * RV GVW

Acronym Definitions

Curb Weight: The total weight of your vehicle apart from any passengers, cargo or non-factory items. Curb weight does include the weight of gasoline, oil and other fluids necessary for operation. You can think of curb weight as the weight of your vehicle, as it sits parked at the dealership.

UVW: Unloaded Vehicle Weight, sometimes referred to as “Dry Weight", is the weight of a vehicle with maximum capacity of all fluids necessary for operation of the vehicle, but without cargo, occupants or accessories that are ordinarily removed from the vehicle when they are not in use. This number can be found on a sticker from the manufacturer. The only way to get an accurate UVW is to take your vehicle to a weigh station and weigh it empty.

Truck GVWR: The total weight that the truck is designed to carry. This includes the weight of the truck, driver, passengers, cargo in the cab and truck bed, hitch and tongue/pin weight. Generally this is found on a sticker on the doorjamb.

RV GVWR: The maximum permissible weight of the RV when fully loaded for travel. This includes the Unloaded Vehicle Weight, all fluids, cargo, optional equipment and accessories.

GCWR: The maximum allowable combined mass of a road vehicle, the passengers and cargo in the tow vehicle, plus the mass of the RV and cargo in the RV.

Hitch Weight: The amount of weight a RV's tongue or king pin places on the hitch it is mounted to. This is automatically calculated from the numbers provided above and is an estimate.

Towing Capacity: The maximum weight your vehicle is able to pull while towing, i.e. the weight of a RV, a boat, or another vehicle.

Payload Capacity: The maximum weight that can be hauled inside the vehicle, including driver, passengers, cargo, and the hitch weight. A Payload Capacity is published by the manufacturer, but can be calculated by finding the difference between a vehicle's GVWR and curb weight.

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Step 3—Conventional Trailer Weight Safety Report (Travel Trailer, Toad, Dinghy)

The premier self-service towing weight calculator providing the only 13 point safety report. Caution: This is not a pre-purchase calculator—use RV Tow Check .

If all your safety margins are displayed in GREEN , that's great! You have carefully paid attention to your vehicles’ load. Pat yourself on the back. Although this report is a good indicator of a safe load, Fifth Wheel St.'s vehicle and Conventional Trailer Weight Safety Report can never substitute for the advanced weighing procedure consisting of wheel by wheel weighing. Whenever possible, weigh each wheel position at a location that provides the advanced towing safety report. Visit the Wheel-by-Wheel Weighing Resources page to find a location near you.

If any of your safety margins are displayed in RED , then you are towing with a potential driving hazard. It's your responsibility to consider what you think is safe for your towing situation, whether it's 4 pounds overweight or 4000 pounds overweight. You need to take a careful look at how your vehicles are loaded. You may need to remove or relocate some items to better balance the load. In some instances, you may need to purchase a tow vehicle with higher towing capacity or purchase a trailer with less gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).

Weigh-In Without WD System Activated

The only way to obtain the true and correct tongue weight from a truck scale is to weigh on the scale with the WD system deactivated. After weighing the tow vehicle and trailer with the WD system deactivated, enter the three scaled weights in items D , E and F .

Caution: Only disconnect the WD system near the scale location. It may be extremely unsafe to tow on the highway without the WD system activated.

Benefits of Weighing with Activated Weight Distribution System (For Trailers WD Systems)

A true and correct weight safety report weighs the vehicles in the same configuration as it is driven on the highway. It is unlikely, except for temporary mechanical failure, for one to tow their conventional trailer down the highway without the WD system activated. The benefits of weighing with the WD system activated and using this safety report are as followed:

Shows the weight of the front axle and the result will assist in determining if there is too much or too little weight distributed to the axle.

Shows the weight of the rear axle and the result will assist in determining if there is too much or too little weight distributed to the axle.

Shows the weight of the trailer axle(s) and the result will assist in determining if there is too much or too little weight distributed to the axle(s).

The results indicate wither the towing combination is safe or some ratings are exceeded or if there is an imbalance with the activated WD system in the normal towing condition.

Motorcoach Owners

The most common weight issue for motorcoaches is exceeding the vehicle's Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR). As for the tongue weight (TW) measurements, there is a little more flexibility in this area depending on the towing method. If you're towing a dinghy or toad with all four wheels on the ground (flat tow), expect very little TW. Even when towing a dinghy or toad on a dolly the TW will still remain fairly low but ensure you're not exceeding the rear Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). Now if you're towing a conventional trailer, read the report the same as any other conventional towing combination.

Tongue Weight

Once you know the total loaded trailer weight, it is important to adjust the trailer load balance so that no less than 10% of the trailer's weight is on the hitch ball, and no more than 15%. SAE advises the optimum tongue weight be 10% because it reduces oversteer in the tow vehicle. If you discover that the trailer tends to sway at 10% tongue weight, increase the tongue weight incrementally until the sway stops. In some configurations, an anti-sway bar may be required. Foremost, follow any owner's manual instructions. Caution: Aways adjust tongue weight without weight distribution system activated.

The simplest onsite method to quickly measure the tongue weight is using the Weigh Safe ball mount shaft and ball.

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Essentials for Safe RV Towing – Complete Tips & Gear

Are you planning a road trip with your RV and wondering what you need to tow it safely? From the must-have essentials to helpful accessories, we’ve got you covered. Towing an RV is a complex process that requires careful consideration of various factors to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey. In this guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to know to tow your RV with confidence.

First and foremost, you need to invest in the right equipment. This includes a reliable tow vehicle, a well-suited tow bar, and weight distribution hitches, among other necessary gear. Having the right accessories can also enhance your towing experience, increasing safety and convenience on the road.

Key Takeaways

• Invest in the necessary equipment, including a reliable tow vehicle, tow bar, and weight distribution hitches.
• Essential accessories, such as trailer brakes and sway control systems, can enhance safety and convenience.
• Ensure that your tow vehicle meets the necessary requirements for towing an RV.
• Inspect and maintain your RV before hitting the road, focusing on areas such as tires, brakes, and electrical systems.
• Proper loading and weight management for the RV are crucial for safe towing, including minimizing sway and maintaining proper tire pressure.

Tow Vehicle Requirements for RV Towing

Embarking on an RV adventure requires careful preparation, and one of the most critical aspects is ensuring that your tow vehicle meets the necessary requirements for towing your RV. Towing a travel trailer can be a challenging task, and selecting the right tow vehicle can make all the difference. Here are the key factors you should consider:

Weight Limits

Understanding your tow vehicle’s weight limits is essential to ensure safe towing. Check the manufacturer’s specifications and look for the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or the maximum weight the vehicle can handle, including passengers, cargo, and tongue weight. Choose an RV that falls within your vehicle’s towing capacity to avoid any safety risks.

Towing Capacities

Along with the weight limits, knowing your tow vehicle’s towing capacity is crucial. This information can usually be found in the owner’s manual or on the manufacturer’s website. Ensure that your RV’s loaded weight falls well below the towing capacity to prevent excessive strain on the vehicle.

Trailer Hitch Compatibility

Before selecting a tow vehicle, it’s essential to ensure that it’s compatible with the type of trailer hitch your RV requires. Most travel trailers require a standard ball hitch, but some models may need a fifth-wheel hitch or gooseneck. Check the manufacturer’s specifications of both the tow vehicle and RV to ensure the compatibility of the hitch and weight distribution system.

By considering these critical factors, you can select the right tow vehicle that meets all the requirements for safe and successful RV towing.

Choosing the Right Tow Bar for RV Towing

Choosing the right tow bar is critical to ensure a safe and secure towing experience for your RV. There are several factors to consider when selecting a tow bar:

• Your RV’s weight: Choose a tow bar that can handle the weight of your RV. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s specifications to determine the maximum weight the tow bar can accommodate.
• Your RV’s size: The length and width of your RV will also impact your choice of tow bar. A larger RV will require a stronger and more durable tow bar to hold up while in transit.
• Towing preferences: Consider the type of terrain and driving conditions you expect to encounter while towing your RV. If you plan on traveling through mountainous areas, a heavy-duty tow bar may be needed to ensure adequate stability during your trip.

It’s important to note that using the wrong tow bar can be dangerous and lead to accidents. Always choose a trusted brand and ensure the tow bar is properly installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Safety is key when it comes to selecting a tow bar for your RV towing needs .

When installing the tow bar, make sure it is level and parallel to the ground . This is crucial for the proper distribution of weight between the RV and the tow vehicle and will minimize sway on the road.

There are several types of tow bars, including A-frame, self-aligning, and adjustable tow bars. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to do your research and choose the one that best fits your needs.

Ultimately, the right tow bar for your RV towing needs will depend on several factors, including the weight and size of your RV, towing preferences, and driving conditions. With careful consideration and proper installation, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable RV towing experience.

Exploring Weight Distribution Hitches for RV Towing

When towing your RV, weight distribution hitches can be a lifesaver. These devices help distribute weight evenly between your vehicle and RV, ensuring better stability and control.

There are three main types of weight distribution hitches:

Whichever type of weight distribution hitch you choose, setting it up correctly is essential for optimal performance. Here are a few tips:

• Ensure the hitch matches the towing capacity of your vehicle.
• Set the height of the hitch so your RV sits level when attached to your vehicle.
• Attach the hitch correctly to your trailer frame, making sure all components are tight and secure.
• Adjust the tension on the spring bars until they are level.

By using a weight distribution hitch properly, you can dramatically improve the safety and stability of your RV towing experience.

Must-Have RV Towing Accessories

In addition to essentials like tow bars and weight distribution hitches, there are several towing accessories that can make your RV trip smoother and safer. Below is a list of must-have RV towing accessories :

These accessories can help you have a comfortable, hassle-free RV trip. Be sure to inspect all the accessories before you hit the road to ensure they are working correctly. Your local RV dealer or mechanic will advise you on the appropriate accessories for your RV and towing style.

Pre-Trip Inspection and Maintenance Tips

Proper maintenance and inspections are key to ensuring a safe and smooth RV towing experience. Before hitting the road, it’s important to perform a thorough pre-trip inspection of your RV and tow vehicle to avoid any unforeseen issues. Here’s a checklist of essential maintenance tasks to keep in mind:

• Inspect tires for wear and damage, and ensure they are inflated to the recommended pressure.
• Check all brakes, including the handbrake, to ensure they are in good working condition.
• Test all lights, including brake lights, indicators, and headlights, to ensure they are bright and functioning properly.
• Inspect the hitch and safety chains for damage or wear, making sure they are secure and attached properly.
• Examine the battery and electrical system, ensuring proper charging and connectivity.
• Inspect the propane system, looking for any leaks or damage to the lines, fittings, valves, and tanks.
• Check for sufficient water and waste holding tank levels, and ensure all valves and pumps are functioning properly.

By following this checklist, you can help prevent breakdowns, accidents, and other unwanted surprises on the road. Remember to also pack essential tools and spare parts, such as fuses, bulbs, and belts, to be prepared for any unforeseen repairs.

Safe Loading and Weight Management for RV Towing

When it comes to RV towing, proper loading and weight management is essential for a safe and smooth journey. Failing to balance the load or exceed weight limits can cause swaying, loss of control, and potential accidents. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of RV towing tips and tricks to help you load your RV properly and manage its weight distribution effectively.

Consider weight limits and balancing the load

Before you hit the road, make sure that your RV doesn’t exceed its weight limits and that you balance the load properly. Distribute the weight evenly between the front and rear of the RV and from side to side. If the RV is too heavy in the back, it can cause swaying, reducing control and safety.

Secure items inside the RV

During RV towing, items inside the RV can shift, leading to additional swaying, reducing control and safety. Secure all items inside the RV before hitting the road. Consider using safety straps, nets, and foam to ensure that everything stays in its place.

Minimize sway and maintain proper tire pressure

Minimizing sway is crucial for safe RV towing. Consider using anti-sway bars, weight distribution hitch, and proper tire pressure. underinflated tires can cause additional sway and reduce stability.

By following these RV towing tips and tricks , you can load and manage your RV’s weight properly, minimizing sway and improving control and stability throughout your journey.

Navigating Curves and Hills During RV Towing

Towing an RV can be challenging when navigating curves and hills. However, with some tips and tricks, you can ensure a smooth and safe towing experience even on challenging terrains.

One of the most critical tips is to maintain the proper speed when approaching curves and hills. Remember, slower speeds provide better control and stability. Going too fast can lead to loss of control or even accidents.

You can also use engine braking to slow down when going downhill. Engine braking means using the engine’s resistance to slow down the vehicle instead of applying the brakes. This technique can save your brakes from overheating or failing in steep descents and provides greater control.

Another important aspect to consider is weight shifts. As you approach a curve, the weight of your RV shifts toward the outside. Therefore, it’s essential to reduce speed before the curve and carefully steer through it as you maintain a balance between the weight of the tow vehicle and the RV.

Remember that the center of gravity plays a significant role in your RV’s stability when navigating hills and curves. When the center of gravity is higher, the RV becomes more unstable, making it challenging to steer through curves. Therefore, you need to be mindful of the cargo weight distribution and try to keep the center of gravity as low as possible.

With these RV towing tips and tricks , you can confidently navigate curves and hills while towing your RV, ensuring a safe and enjoyable trip.

Backing Up and Parking Your RV While Towing

Maneuvering and parking an RV while towing can be challenging, but there are tips and tricks that can help you master it smoothly. Whether you’re parking at a camping site, backing up on a narrow road, or navigating tight spaces, these RV towing tips and tricks can assist you:

• Practice Makes Perfect: Before hitting the road, spend some time in an empty parking lot or a wide-open space to familiarize yourself with the techniques and challenges of backing up and parking your RV while towing.
• Use Your Mirrors: Your mirrors are essential to see where you’re going, make sure they’re adjusted, and use them to guide you when backing up or changing lanes.
• Take Wide Turns: RVs are longer than most vehicles, so when turning corners, remember to take wide turns to avoid hitting objects or other vehicles that are present around you.
• Get a Spotter: A second set of eyes can be helpful when backing up or parking your RV. Assign a spotter to guide you or look out for obstacles and vehicles in your way.
• Be Cautious: Even when you’re confident in your ability, always be cautious, especially when backing up. Move slowly, use your mirrors and spotter, and go back and forth if needed.

Mastering backing up and parking your RV while towing is possible with these RV towing tips and tricks. Remember to stay calm, take your time, and practice to gain confidence.

Example of an RV Parking Layout

If you’re looking for a visual guide for backing up and parking your RV, this example parking layout can help:

In conclusion, towing an RV can be an exciting adventure, but it requires proper planning, equipment, and safe driving practices. By following the comprehensive guide on RV towing essentials , you’ll be well-prepared for a secure and enjoyable journey.

Remember to check your tow vehicle’s requirements, choose the right tow bar and weight distribution hitch, and invest in must-have accessories. Additionally, perform pre-trip inspections and maintenance, load your RV correctly, and manage its weight distribution.

When navigating curves and hills, maintain proper speed, use engine braking, and understand weight shifts to ensure a smooth towing experience. Backing up and parking your RV while towing may be intimidating, but with the right techniques, it can be done smoothly.

Now that you are well-equipped with knowledge, gear up, and hit the road with confidence. Whether you are a seasoned RVer or a beginner, always prioritize safety and take necessary precautions before starting your journey.

What are the essentials for safe RV towing?

The essentials for safe RV towing include a properly equipped tow vehicle, a weight distribution hitch, trailer brakes, towing mirrors, and a tire pressure monitoring system.

What equipment do I need for RV towing?

The necessary equipment for RV towing includes a tow vehicle with the appropriate towing capacity, a trailer hitch receiver, safety chains, trailer wiring harness, and a brake controller.

Are there any accessories that can enhance my RV towing experience?

Yes, there are several accessories that can enhance your RV towing experience. Some popular options include sway control systems, trailer brake controllers, extended side mirrors, and a backup camera.

What are the requirements for a tow vehicle when towing a travel trailer?

When towing a travel trailer , your tow vehicle should have a sufficient towing capacity to handle the weight of the trailer, a compatible trailer hitch receiver, and the appropriate electrical connections for brake and signal lights.

How do I choose the right tow bar for RV towing?

To choose the right tow bar for RV towing, consider factors such as your RV’s weight, hitch compatibility, and personal towing preferences. Look for tow bars that offer easy installation, durability, and a high weight capacity.

What is a weight distribution hitch, and why is it important for RV towing?

A weight distribution hitch helps distribute the weight from the RV to the tow vehicle, improving stability and control while towing. It is important to use a weight distribution hitch to prevent excessive sagging of the tow vehicle’s rear end and to maintain proper steering and braking control.

What are some must-have RV towing accessories?

Some must-have RV towing accessories include trailer brakes, sway control systems, tire pressure monitoring systems, leveling blocks or ramps, and a trailer hitch lock for added security.

What pre-trip inspections and maintenance tasks should I perform before RV towing?

Before RV towing, it is essential to perform pre-trip inspections and maintenance tasks. These include checking tire pressure, inspecting brakes and lights, ensuring proper electrical connections, and inspecting the hitch and safety chains for any signs of wear or damage.

How should I load and manage the weight of my RV for safe towing?

Loading and managing the weight of your RV is crucial for safe towing. Make sure to distribute the weight evenly, avoid overloading, and secure items inside the RV to minimize shifting during travel. Additionally, regularly check tire pressure and maintain proper weight limits recommended by the manufacturer.

What are some tips for navigating curves and hills while RV towing?

When navigating curves and hills while RV towing, maintain a safe speed, use engine braking or downshifting, and be cautious of weight shifts that can affect your vehicle’s stability. Be aware of potential sway and adjust your driving technique accordingly.

How do I back up and park my RV while it is being towed?

Backing up and parking an RV while it is being towed requires patience and practice. Use a spotter if available, utilize your towing mirrors for better visibility, and take your time to make precise maneuvers. Practice in an empty parking lot to gain confidence before attempting in challenging spaces.

Jeff Campbell

Jeff Campbell travels on and off with his 3 daughters in a Newmar Baystar Class A Motorhome. He writes extensively on both RVs, campgrounds, parenting on the road tips, remote learning & schooling, and much more! Click Here to learn more about me. Click Here to learn more about my site. Editorial Policies.

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Journey With Confidence

Everything You Need To Know About Towing A Travel Trailer

Photo courtesy Ford

Hitch Up the Easy Way With Our Travel Trailer Towing Guide

Some 56 million Americans are expected to hit the highways, byways, and backroads this summer with a recreational vehicle, according to the latest RV Industry Association (RVIA) surveys. Another 10 million RVers will join them in 2022. About 1-in-5 of those hitting the road will be hitching up and towing a travel trailer—everything from teardrops to tent trailers and travel trailers to toy haulers as individuals, families, and friends head out to enjoy all the freedom and adventure our great country offers.

For more than 110 years, automobile owners have been towing recreational vehicles so they can explore America. Towing a travel trailer is part of adventure-seekers’ DNA, and we’ve been doing it as long as automobiles have been around.

The urge to explore at one’s own pace with a travel trailer in tow was hugely popular in the 1950s and ‘60s . Today, that popularity in RVing is once again thriving as Americans look for ways to travel the nation comfortably and safely.

The safest way to travel

“More and more Americans are ready to travel this summer, and 56 million of them are planning to go RVing in an RV they rent, own, or borrow,” said Craig Kirby, President and CEO of RVIA . “Even with other forms of travel returning, the desire to use an RV to get outdoors and experience an active outdoor lifestyle is stronger than ever. RVing has been cemented as a mainstream travel option that is here to stay.”

The appeal of exploring the country while towing a travel trailer appeals to all age groups and interests, too. The popularity of RVing has even attracted media attention from the Wall Street Journal , which ran “ The Safest Way To Travel This Summer ” in a May 2020 issue.

This surge in the popularity of RVing comes to light when you try to book reservations for an RV campground space at county, state, and national parks . You can also see it on the road; the number of cars, pickups, vans, SUVs , and crossovers towing travel trailers has never been greater.

Americans hitting the road to vacation with an RV trailer in tow is at an all-time high. Make sure your travel trailer is the proper Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and doesn’t exceed the maximum tow rating of the vehicle towing it.

 Safety concerns towing a travel trailer

From Gen Z to Boomers, RVing via a travel trailer of any type offers freedom and a sense of self-sufficiency. It’s both a practical and comfortable form of lodging. You can disconnect your tow vehicle and have a base camp to explore the area around you.

But towing a travel trailer can bring some unexpected drama and safety concerns for millions of first-time RVers. Trailers add weight to the back of the tow vehicle, and that added weight changes the handling dynamics and braking of the tow vehicle. That’s why you need to make sure your trailer and tow vehicle are properly matched.

This guide explains the basics of towing a travel trailer so your RVing experience is easier, safer, and more enjoyable.

The basics of towing a travel trailer

Towing a travel trailer consists of three components: the vehicle, the hitch, and the RV.

Within those components are variations based on the vehicle’s towing capacity, the weight of the RV , the hitch setup, and towing-related accessories to tie everything together safely.

In this towing guide, we are specifically talking about “tow-behind” or “bumper-pull” RV trailers that attach to the hitch ball on a hitch mounted under the bumper of a pickup, SUV, crossover SUV, or car, not a 5th wheel or gooseneck hitch that mounts in the bed of a pickup truck.

You can easily avoid drama and stress by properly matching the tow vehicle, hitch, and travel trailer. But get one of those wrong, and you have a recipe for disaster.

The best vehicle for towing any trailer is the one that fits both your personal needs and requirements while the trailer falls within the limitations set by the vehicle’s manufacturer.

What is the best vehicle for towing a travel trailer?

So, let’s begin with the tow vehicle. One question I get a lot from first-time RVers is, “What’s the best vehicle for towing a travel trailer?” The answer is, “It all depends.”

It all depends on what type of trailer you want to tow, whether you intend to tow with a vehicle you currently own, or maybe you have neither a tow vehicle nor a travel trailer and want to get both.

The most important aspect of towing a travel trailer is making sure the vehicle is up to the task of towing the trailer you plan on attaching to the hitch ball.

Here’s the deal when it comes to tow vehicles: The vehicle manufacturer determines how big (heavy) a trailer the vehicle can safely tow—not you. From a legal standpoint, that’s it, but I’ll explain more later in this RV trailer towing guide.

RV trailer numbers you need to know

There are two important weight-related factors when it comes to RV trailers: GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) and tongue weight (TW).

GVWR is the safe maximum weight of the trailer when it’s loaded for camping with water, fuel, supplies, and cargo. The TW is how much downforce the loaded trailer places on the hitch.

Both numbers are displayed on the metal Federal Certification / VIN ID tag located on the front left side of a travel trailer. You can also find the specifications listed on the trailer manufacturer’s website.

Every RV trailer has an ID/VIN decal or metal tag somewhere on the left front. It shows the trailer’s GVWR, which is the maximum it can weigh fully loaded. This is a critical number to know when matching a tow vehicle to a trailer. The trailer’s GVWR should never exceed the tow vehicle’s maximum tow rating.

Concentrate on those two weights, not the RV’s bells and whistles or nice furnishings. Those two numbers set the basis for choosing the vehicle best suited for towing a travel trailer.

Tongue weight of RV trailers, sometimes referred to as “hitch weight,” will be typically between 10- and 15-percent of the trailer’s GVWR.

For example, a 32-foot trailer like the Forest River Aurora 28BHS , weighing 7,600 pounds GVWR, has a TW of 730 pounds, while the 32-foot Grand Design Imagine 2800BH has a GVWR of 7,995 pounds and a hitch weight of only 604 pounds.

So, do your research. RV trailer weights can vary widely by brand, type, and size. That’s why it’s important to narrow down these numbers to the specific trailer you plan to tow and then make sure those weights match your vehicle’s towing limitations.

Payload calculator

A website called Keep Your Daydream Today does a great job of explaining all the weight-related towing nuances, and the site has a nice payload calculator that can be downloaded to figure out what you can safely tow per the vehicle manufacturer’s listed tow ratings.

How big of an RV trailer can my vehicle tow?

Now that you know the trailer’s GVWR and TW, it’s time to focus on the tow vehicle. Towing a travel trailer from your home to a campground begins with dropping the trailer tongue on a hitch ball. But the most critical aspect of safely getting from Point A to Point B is having the right vehicle for towing.

Your tow vehicle needs to have the power to pull the trailer up hills and maintain reasonable speeds over the open road. More importantly, the tow vehicle has to be properly equipped for towing, per the vehicle manufacturer’s guidelines, and have the factory tow rating capacity to handle the load it’s towing.

Having the right tow vehicle for the trailer takes all the drama out of the RVing experience and maximizes the safety factor for others on the road.

The only one who can set the limit on how much weight any vehicle can tow is the vehicle manufacturer.

To find your tow vehicle’s maximum trailer towing capacity, and what it needs to be properly equipped per the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications, dive into the towing/trailering section of the owner’s manual. There you’ll find the bare-bones information.

RV tow rating information

But what you really want is the detailed tow rating information. For that, you’ll have to dig deeper. The information is usually on the vehicle manufacturer’s fleet/commercial website under a heading like “RV & Trailer Towing Guide.”

When matching a trailer to a tow vehicle, a good rule-of-thumb is to keep the trailer’s GVWR at less than 75 percent of the tow vehicle’s trailer towing capacity.

So, if the tow vehicle is rated for a maximum of 6,000 pounds, the chosen trailer should have a GVWR of 4,500 pounds or less. Likewise, if the tow vehicle is rated to tow 10,000 pounds, a good trailer weight is 7,500 pounds or less.

You can find detailed trailer towing information on the vehicle manufacturer’s fleet/commercial website under a heading like “RV and Trailer Towing Guide,” “Towing Guides,” or “Trailering Guide.”

Where to find pickup truck manufacturer trailer towing ratings

To make tracking down trailer tow ratings of the Big Three pickup manufacturers easy, here are those website links:

• Chevrolet: www.gmfleet.com/Guides
• Ford: www.fleet.ford.com/towing-guides
• GMC: www.gmfleet.com/GMC Trailering Guide
• Ram Truck: www.fcausfleet.com/ramtrucks/towing-guide

It’s easy to find the trailer towing limits for cars, SUVs, and crossover SUVs. Pickups are a whole different story.

Pickup truck ratings for towing a travel trailer vary by year, make, model, cab configuration, transmission, and axle ratio. They can also vary related to the type of hitch setup, whether “conventional weight-carrying” (towing-on-the-ball) or using a weight-distributing hitch system. So read the numbers and annotated information carefully.

Vehicle’s trailer tow ratings can’t be changed

As you review trailer tow ratings, you’ll see that just because a vehicle has a hitch doesn’t mean it can tow whatever is attached to the hitch ball. Every vehicle that rolls off the assembly line has a towing limitation, just as it has a unique VIN.

Once a vehicle leaves the manufacturing assembly line, its tow ratings and cargo-carrying capacities are set in stone—just like the VIN. Those ratings could have higher/lower capacities, depending on the engine and transmission package, axle ratio, and other options available on that particular model vehicle. This is especially true of pickup trucks.

Even though installing aftermarket products like air bags and anti-sway bars can improve the ride and handling when towing a travel trailer, such modifications do not change that particular tow vehicle’s limitations as set by its manufacturer.

Installing overload springs, anti-sway bars, air helper springs, a heavier-duty hitch, or making other vehicle suspension, drivetrain, or engine modifications does NOT change the vehicle’s tow rating or load capacity. Those ratings are set by the vehicle manufacturer when the vehicle is built.

Why are vehicle manufacturer trailer towing ratings important?

Why is it important to know the trailer towing limits of your vehicle? Safety. Warranty. Liability.

Vehicle manufacturers set vehicle tow ratings and load capacities with safety, warranty, and liability at the forefront. They do so using special test procedures specified under SAE J2807 , which is a strict vehicle manufacturing safety standard focused on keeping the driver and occupants reasonably safe when towing trailers.

At the same time, SAE J2807 testing protocols allow the vehicle manufacturer to set a comfortable weight limit for the vehicle to function reliably through the warranty period when used for such towing and cargo-carrying tasks.

Among the battery of tests within SAE J2807 are emergency accident-avoidance and vehicle control tests with a loaded trailer in tow. If the vehicle being tested doesn’t pass these tests in a manner deemed safe by the vehicle engineering team, then the trailered weight is reduced and the vehicle re-tested until it meets the safety standards. When it meets the safe standard, that’s the maximum trailer towing capacity for that particular vehicle.

Towing a travel trailer that’s heavier than the vehicle is rated for towing, or not having the tow vehicle properly equipped, can put the burden of liability on you if you’re in an accident. Your insurance company could very well deny coverage because under the law, you, the driver, are considered negligent .

Trailer tow ratings can be confusing. But they are very important from a safety and vehicle handling standpoint.

Real-world lessons in trailer weight ratings

A neighbor recently joined the millions of Americans towing a travel trailer on his family’s first RV adventure. He hitched a beautiful Forest River 2021 rPod 190 travel trailer to the hitch of his 2017 Lexus RX 350 AWD. His first weekend on the road towing the trailer “scared him to death” because of trailer sway. He couldn’t understand why his Lexus handled so poorly when it was “rated” to tow 3,500 pounds—according to the trailer salesperson—and the trailer only weighed 2,900 pounds.

We looked at the numbers. He had two issues. First, the “dry weight” of the rPod was 2,900 pounds, but the GVWR was 3,800 pounds. Second, his Lexus was rated to tow 3,500 pounds only if equipped with “a sway control device with sufficient capacity” per the owner’s manual. Otherwise, the trailer towing capacity was limited to 2,000 pounds.

So, he installed a Blue Ox SwayPro 350 weight distribution hitch and made sure the trailer’s GVWR didn’t exceed 3,500 pounds.

He and his wife have spent anywhere from 3 to 5 days traveling around the Pacific Northwest at least twice a month, loving the RV life! For now, the Lexus and rPod are a happy match for their lifestyle.

Even though a salesperson says the vehicle you are buying is “perfectly capable” of towing such-and-such trailer, have the trailer’s GVWR number memorized, and then have the salesperson show you the maximum towing specs for the specific vehicle. In pickups, the difference in axle ratios alone can make a 2,000-pound or greater difference in a tow rating. In smaller vehicles, the same can be true for different engines.

Don’t rely on salespeople for accurate towing info

Another friend bought a 2021 Ram 1500 Laramie 4×4 Quad Cab and an equally nice 26-foot Backcountry Mountain TRX trailer so the family of four could enjoy the outdoor lifestyle during summer and fall. The salesperson at the Ram dealer said the Hemi-powered 4×4 could tow as much as 12,750 pounds, so no problem towing the 9,995-pound Outdoors RV camper.

But what he found out later when looking up the maximum trailer tow ratings in the Ram towing guide was that his particular pickup, with the standard 3.21 axle ratio, was limited to just 8,330 pounds. Fortunately, he persuaded the dealer to swap his new pickup for an identical one that was equipped with the “premium” 3.92 axle ratio, which was rated to tow 11,430 pounds—a much better match to the trailer and much safer for his family.

To that end, you must go back to the basics of weight when it comes to how much your vehicle can tow. You need to know the GVWR of the trailer and the maximum trailer capacity of your specific tow vehicle.

If the trailer’s GVWR is more than the trailer tow rating of your tow vehicle, find a lighter trailer  or a tow vehicle with a higher trailer towing capacity.

A good rule-of-thumb in choosing a trailer is its GVWR be no more than two-thirds the max trailer tow rating of the vehicle. This gives you a margin of error on the safe side. Your tow vehicle must also be properly equipped as specified by its manufacturer.

What is the best 4X4 for off-grid RVing?

So what’s the best 4×4 vehicle for towing trailers when camping off the grid and exploring roads less traveled? Most people think the obvious answer is one of the many Jeep models, such as the iconic Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon or Grand Cherokee. They’re partially correct.

Jeep Models

Setting fuel economy and price aside, the Jeep Rubicon 392 is king, setting the highest bar among the Jeep line when it comes to overall backcountry and off-road performance. Its V8 power, technology, and agility are amazing.

Jeeps are the icon for off-pavement/off-road travel. But the soft, pliant suspension takes away some of their towing ability, limiting most models to towing trailers less than 3,500 pounds. Off-road trailer manufacturers such as Vorsheer, which makes the 2,600-pound (GVWR) XOC, build their trailers to accommodate these tow ratings. Photo courtesy Vorsheer Mfg

But the Jeep Wrangler’s soft, pliant suspension, across all models, is also its downfall when it comes to tow ratings. They are among the lowest in this class of SUV, with a maximum towing capacity of just 3,500 pounds for the 6.4L V8-powered Rubicon 392 to as little as 2,000 pounds for the base model two-door Wrangler Sport with the 3.6L V6.

Jeep’s Grand Cherokee is an excellent tow vehicle for those who do a lot of highway RVing and backcountry travel with “light off-roading.” Some models can tow up to 7,650 pounds.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has higher tow ratings ranging from 4,000 to 7,200 pounds (Hemi V8-powered SRT). But the Jeep Gladiator pickup is the best choice with a trailer towing capacity of up to 7,650 pounds, depending, of course, on the model and axle ratio.

Ford Bronco

A new contender when it comes to the best 4×4 for RVing off-grid is the latest iteration of the iconic Ford Bronco . Ford’s new SUV leads the pack for four-wheeling in overall performance, with excellent fuel economy, suspension travel, and traction capabilities.

Broncos equipped with the 2.7L EcoBoost V6 and 10-speed automatic combo are ideal for towing. The trade-off for the Ford Bronco’s off-road prowess is a limited trailering capacity of up to 3,500 pounds when equipped with the optional Class II Trailer Tow Package.

If money isn’t an option and you want the very best 4×4 for off-grid travel and towing RV trailers, the 702hp Ram 1500 TRX , with a tow rating of 8,100 pounds, wins. Hands-down. It’s won both Four Wheeler and MotorTrend magazine’s Truck of the Year and several other prestigious automotive pickup awards this year.

Hitch types and hitch capacities

The term “properly equipped” means the vehicle has the factory towing package, which can vary from vehicle to vehicle and from manufacturer to manufacturer. But it always includes a factory-installed receiver hitch and wiring to connect between the tow vehicle and the trailer.

Properly equipped also means using the proper hitch type for the weight of the trailer. There are two hitch types for towing a trailer using a receiver-type hitch: weight carrying and weight distributing.

Attaching the trailer to the hitch ball bolted on the shank that comes out of the hitch is called “weight carrying” because the full load of the trailer’s tongue weight is carried by the hitch assembly.

This is a typical “weight-carrying” hitch setup that comes from the factory. It accommodates a “shank” with a trailer ball mount. The load capacity of a hitch can be found on the hitch manual’s decal—the same with the shank. The hitch ball capacity is imprinted on the top of the ball.

The towing capacity of the hitch is determined by the hitch manufacturer, and the maximum load/towing capacities are listed on the hitch, the hitch shank, and on top of the hitch ball. Hitches come in five classifications depending on the size of the opening for the receiver (shank) and load capacity.

The typical factory hitch on cars, crossovers, smaller SUVs is Class I or II.

Midsize pickups, SUVs, and vans generally come with a Class III hitch.

Full-size pickups usually have a Class IV hitch, while some 1-ton diesels use a Class V hitch.

Hitch classes and Gross Trailer Weight

NOTE: Changing the size of the hitch to one with a higher capacity DOES NOT change your vehicle’s tow rating.

Understanding hitch balls and capacity

The most important connection point between the tow vehicle and the trailer is the shiny round thing sticking up from under the bumper—the hitch ball. You’ll have a big problem if the ball isn’t the correct size to fit the trailer coupler, or the ball isn’t installed on the shank (mount) with the correct amount of torque on the nut.

Standard RV trailer hitch balls come in three different diameters: 1-7/8″, 2”, and 2-5/16″, while shank sizes varying from ¾” to 3″ depending on the hitch capacity. The smaller 1-7/8″ hitch balls have a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds and are typically found on cars, smaller SUVs, minivans, and crossovers.

Hitches equipped with 2″ tow balls are rated for 8,000 pounds and are typical of that used on smaller travel trailers and overlanding/adventure-style off-road trailers. The larger 2-5/16″ hitch balls are rated from 12,500 pounds to 21,000 pounds and are common on RV trailers that weigh more than 8,000 pounds.

A typical weight-distribution (WD) hitch has two “spring bars” that extend from the hitch head to the trailer. The bars act like wheelbarrow handles, so some of the weight of the trailer on the hitch can be shifted fore and aft to better balance the tow vehicle/trailer combo. A WD hitch also greatly reduces trailer sway.

How do weight distribution hitches work?

A weight distributing hitch , or weight distribution hitch, uses a special head with provisions for attaching one or two long arms that attach to the trailer frame that can be adjusted to transfer some of that tongue weight fore and aft so the tow vehicle is better balanced.

The typical WD hitch also incorporates an anti-sway device or design for better trailer control.

“The weight distribution feature will transfer some of the weight to the front axle, as well as some being transferred back to the trailer’s axle(s)” explains Josh Jones, a customer service rep at Progress Manufacturing , makers of the Equl-i-zer Hitch and Fastway trailer towing components. “Basically, 1/3 of the tongue weight is transferred from your tow vehicle back to the trailer, and the remaining 2/3 is evenly distributed on the front and rear axles of your truck. This gives all four tires equal contact with the road, improving steering and braking, and the hitch’s built-in sway control eliminates sway before it starts so you have a smoother, more enjoyable towing experience.”

Both weight-distributing (top) and standard hitches have maximum trailer towing ratings. Using a reducer sleeve (bottom) to step down from 2.5” or 3” hitch receivers to 2” also reduces trailer towing capacity.

That’s why the “weigh-carrying” tow capacities of a vehicle, especially full-size pickups, vans, and SUVs, are usually considerably less than a “weight-distributing” setup because more weight is put on the rear axle when one is just towing on the ball.

These dual-capacity tow ratings really apply to pre-2018 and older heavy-duty pickups with some max trailer towing limits of 5,000 pounds towing-on-the ball unless a weight-distributing hitch is used. Also, using the 2″ adapter sleeve in newer pickups’ 2.5″ receiver hitches significantly reduces both the weight-carrying tow limit and maximum tongue weight.

The Best 2022 Pickups For Towing Trailers With GVWR Under 5,000 Pounds

Brake requirements for rv travel trailers.

Attaching a trailer to your tow vehicle places an additional load on its braking system. That means the heavier the trailer, the less responsive the brakes and the longer it takes to stop the vehicle. That’s why most state motor vehicle laws require trailers over a certain gross weight must have their own trailer braking system .

Some state trailer laws require a braking system on trailers with a GVW of 1,500, some 3,000 pounds, and some 6,000 pounds GVW. Other states require the tow vehicle/trailer combo must stop within a certain distance from a designated speed, or the tow vehicle be able to hold the trailer while stopped on a “hill of any grade under all conditions.”

Thankfully the RV trailer manufacturers make the braking aspect of towing a travel trailer easy by equipping their trailers, even the lighter off-road/overlanding camp trailers, with electric brakes on trailers that weigh more than 1,500 pounds. This way, the trailer can be sold in any state and meet the legal brake requirements.

As for trailer brakes, the typical RV trailer has electric-actuated brakes along with a “breakaway” system in the event the trailer decides to go for a little side trip on its own. (Breakaway systems are required on trailers with a GVW greater than 3,000 pounds.)

Aftermarket electric brake controllers send electronic signals to the trailer brakes when the driver hits the tow vehicle’s brake pedal. There are lots of types of controllers, and most allow the driver to manually apply the trailer brakes via a dash-mounted controller if needed. Photo courtesy eTrailer.com

 How do RV trailer brakes work?

Electric-actuated RV trailer brakes on bumper-pull can be either drum or disc, much like those that stop your tow vehicle. The braking is applied when an electrical signal is transmitted from the brake pedal to a separate device in the vehicle called a brake controller , which then signals and activates the trailer’s brakes.

In an electric drum brake system, the braking signal goes to an electromagnetic actuator inside the brake drum that pushes the brake linings into the drum. On an electric-over-hydraulic disc braking system, the signal from the controller activates a hydraulic pump that pushes fluid in the brake lines to the calipers that engage the brake rotor.

Some of the newest pickups and SUVs have built-in brake controllers, while older pickups and most cars, crossovers, and SUVs will need an aftermarket brake controller unit installed. Either way, it’ll be up to you to make the proper brake controller adjustments per that particular brake controller’s instructions.

Both braking systems require the proper trailer plug, the correct trailer wiring setup in the tow vehicle, and a charged battery in the trailer to operate safely. Part of most vehicle manufacturers’ “Towing Package” includes such wiring and plug for the trailer wiring harness.

Typical travel trailer weights

When you shop for RV travel trailers, you’ll see a wide range in gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWR), even in the tiny trailers and off-road trailers. For instance, the typical teardrop trailer comes in between 1,500 and 2,500 pounds, with the more robust overlanding off-road trailers coming in with a GVWR between 2,500 to 4,500 pounds. Pop-up tent and hard-sided campers generally have GVWRs between 2,000–4,000 pounds.

RV trailers are available to fit just about any lifestyle. They also vary in weight, so it’s easy to find the perfect travel trailer to fit your tow vehicle. Some adventuresome RVers—of an estimated 10 million taking vacations with a trailer in tow—will be doing so on roads less traveled. Photo courtesy Boreas Campers

More traditional bumper-pull RV trailers have an average GVWR range related to their length, design (camper or toy hauler), and number of slideouts. Midsize RV trailers in the 23- to 28-foot range have a maximum loaded weight between 6,000 and 8,000 pounds.

Start shopping around for the 30-foot-plus bumper-pull trailers and the GVWRs can top 10,000 pounds, which is nearing the upper limit for most full-size pickups and SUVs towing with a weight-distributing hitch.

Popular trailers for towing and average weights

While there are hundreds of travel trailer brand and specification combinations we could list, we’ll focus on some well-known RVs to give you a sense of what to look for when shopping for a trailer to tow:

Where do electric pickups fit in with towing RV trailers?

Electric vehicles, aka EVs, are slowly making their way into the automotive market but still only make up less than 2 percent of the new car market in the U.S., according to Pew Research and other market watchers.

EVs, whether car, SUV, crossover, or pickup, are excellent modes of transportation for city and urban settings. Not so much so in rural America, where the availability of designated plug-in sites is few and far between. EV vehicles also cost a lot more than their gas and diesel counterparts. If the current federal tax incentives or EV tax credits are phased out, that price disparity will be even greater.

Then there’s the cost of EV ownership over the life of the vehicle to consider, along with trade-in value. After all, all batteries wear out, and the packs in EVs are no different.

What will it cost to replace an EV’s battery pack in 100,000 miles or 10 years? It’s not going to be cheap. A Greencars.com article claims that cost could be as high as $15,000, not including labor.

All-electric (EV) pickups are emerging from different vehicle manufacturers as battery technology advances. One of the great things about EV pickups and SUVs is the engine compartment becomes a big trunk! Photo courtesy Ford

RV trailer towing range for EV pickups

Trailer towing brings up another matter: driving range. EV pickup’s capability in distance between charges is cut by 1/3 to ½ when towing a travel trailer. So instead of being able to drive 250–300 miles unloaded, you’ll need to look for a place to plug in every 3 to 4 hours. That’s not convenient and not what most RVers want in a tow vehicle.

Ford’s 2022 F-150 Lightning , with a towing capacity of 10,000 pounds, sports EPA range numbers of 230 miles for the “standard” battery pack and 300 miles with the optional “extended range” pack. The trailering range is probably going to be around 150–200 miles depending on the battery pack.

The F-150 EV battery packs require 10 to 13 hours to fully recharge with the Ford Charge Station Pro , which plugs into either 120V or 240V outlets. We’ll probably see EV charges common as their evolution continues.

Sure, the EV F-150 can be turned into a backup power station, but that power comes from the battery pack, good for off-grid camping but shortening the driving range even more. So, if you’re keen on going green by towing your travel trailer with an EV, keep the driving range in mind.

EV pickups are hitting the road, and RVers are taking note. The 2022 Ford Lightning EV has a trailer towing capacity of 10,000 pounds and a range estimated at 150–200 miles between charges when towing, depending on the battery pack option. Photo courtesy Ford

 Tow ratings for EV pickups & SUVs

*Unloaded   **GM has not released final numbers

Now that you know how to match a tow vehicle to a travel trailer and set it up safely, you’re ready to tow like a pro. It’s time to head out on the road, have fun, and make wonderful memories. That’s what the RV life is all about!

Make your next RV trip even easier and more enjoyable with an RV-safe GPS . With it, you can get directions custom tailored to the height and weight of your tow vehicle and travel trailer. The turn-by-turn navigation, including voice- and lane-guidance, works even when you’re offline. No more worrying about steep mountain passes, low clearances, bridge weight limits, or propane-restricted tunnels.

Continue reading:

• 7 Things You Need To Know For Safe RV Towing
• What Is Your Gross Vehicle Weight (And Why Does It Matter)?
• 4 Trailer Safety Tips That Could Save Your Life

RV Interactive Calculators

Welcome to changing gears calculators.

All calculators are interactive visual calculators where you can adjust weights and capacities on the fly and watch how your answers vary!

And just as always, it’s completely free.

Not sure where to start? Please scroll below the menu for simple, easy-to-follow instructions.

Weight Calculators

Travel trailer towing weight calculator.

Want to know how much you can tow with a travel trailer? Or how much cargo you can safely carry? Find out here!

Fifth Wheel Towing Weight Calculator

Want to know how much you can tow with a fifth-wheel trailer? Or how much cargo you can safely carry? Find out here!

Adjust GVW Weight Calculator

Use this calculator when you know the vehicle’s GVWR and GCVWR, but need to estimate total weight with a different towable/cargo configuration. 

Cargo & Truck Selector

Want to know how large of a truck is required to tow your camper? Or want to play around with cargo configurations? Find out here!

Liquid Weight Calculator

Get quick answers on how much your fuel and water tanks weigh when full. Checks water, gasoline, diesel, propane.

EZ Towing Weight Calculator

This calculator does a quick n’ dirty check on a combination of tow vehicle and towable RV. It is an alternative to the Travel Trailer/5th Wheel towing weight calculators.

Financial Calculators

Rv lifestyle budget calculator.

Curious how much the RV lifestyle costs? Need to track your expenses? Check out the RV Cost of Living calculator, and see if you can afford life on the road.

RV Loan Calculator

Figure out the size of a loan you can afford when financing an RV. Find out your monthly payments, total interest, and more!

Other Calculators

Propane life calculator.

Curious how long your RV propane will last? Use your calculator to find out how long you’ll survive in the cold!

EZ RV Battery Life Calculator

Curious how long you can survive while boondocking or dry camping? Answer a handful of easy questions and find out how many hours we think your house batteries will last!

... Not Sure Where to Start?

Towing RVs causes a lot of confusion. Unfortunately, there are very few simple answers.

Our weight calculators make it easier!

Chances are, you have one of the following questions. Scroll down to find your question, and then we’ll recommend the best calculator for you.

If You Own Neither Truck Nor Trailer:

Just playin’ around? Not sure which came first, the chicken or the egg? Check out our EZ Towing Weight Calculator!

This calculator requires basic information about your possible tow vehicle + trailer combination. Usually, this information can be easily obtained online. 

We strictly advise against making purchasing or safety decisions based on the EZ calculator. It does not run enough calculations to consider all primary variables. It is purely for educational estimation purposes.

If You Own a Truck, But No Trailer:

If you already own a tow vehicle and want to confirm that it can safely tow your future towable RV, please use either:

• The Travel Trailer Towing Weight Calculator. This calculator will tell you how large of a conventional travel trailer you can tow with your existing tow vehicle. It requires a significant amount of information about your tow vehicle, including GVWR, GCVWR, RGAWR, and other inputs. This information can be read from the door jamb stickers and Owners Manual of your tow vehicle.
• The Fifth Wheel Towing Weight Calculator. This calculator will tell you how large of a 5th wheel trailer you can tow with your existing tow vehicle. It requires a significant amount of information about your tow vehicle, including GVWR, GCVWR, RGAWR, and other inputs. This information can be read from the door jamb stickers and Owners Manual of your tow vehicle.

We highly, HIGHLY recommend using one of these two advanced calculators! They do require more information, but the results will be far more accurate and credible.

If you are only searching for a rough estimate of towing capability, you can use our EZ Towing Weight Calculator .  However, we strictly advise against making purchasing or safety decisions based on the EZ calculator. It is purely for educational estimation purposes.

If you Own a Trailer, But Not a Truck:

If you already own a towable RV such as a travel trailer or 5th wheel, and you are searching for a reliable tow vehicle, then please use the Cargo and Truck Selector.

This calculator answers two questions:

• How large of a truck do I need to tow my trailer?
• How does my trailer cargo affect tow vehicle requirements?

If You Want to Calculate Loaded Weight Based on Known Weight and Added Cargo:

If you have a known weight, usually from a certified scale, for your tow vehicle or camper, and you want to estimate the final loaded weight after adding cargo, please use our Adjust GVW Calculator.

This calculator works for either tow vehicle, RV or camper. You can add or subtract pounds. For instance, if your scale weight included a full waste water tank, you can subtract that amount.

Even if you don’t have the scale weight, you can still use this calculator if you just have the factory empty weight. 

If You Want to Estimate Empty Weight from Scale Weight:

If you want to know the actual empty weight of your RV or vehicle, but you only have the scale weight when fully loaded, please use our Adjust GVW Calculator.

If You Want to Know the Weight of Full Tanks:

If you simply want to know the added weight of full water, fuel or propane tanks, please use our Liquid Weight Calculator.

This calculator is suitable for both tow vehicles and RVs.

This calculator also helps you calculate the total system capacities of your RV or camper for water and propane.

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Preparation and Driving Tips for Safe Towing

Expert advice to help make your towing adventure a smooth experience, sharing is nice.

We respect your privacy . All email addresses you provide will be used just for sending this story.

Whether you've been hauling large trailers for years or you're about to embark on your first family vacation with a small travel trailer, towing isn't something to be taken lightly.

To pull a trailer behind another vehicle, a driver needs to develop a whole new set of skills. Just the process of hitching and unhitching a trailer from a tow vehicle requires know-how and numerous steps, and forgetting even one crucial element in the process could compromise safety.  

We talked to industry experts and John Ibbotson, Consumer Reports' chief mechanic and towing master, and consulted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's trailer towing guide to compile a list of things all towers should think about before they hit the road. We delve into key tasks that should be part of any pretowing checklist and finish up with some driving tips to help towing adventures go more smoothly and safely.

Be sure to check out our primer on towing , a rundown of the tow ratings for the most common compact and full-sized pickups on dealer lots, and more on the configuration needed to achieve maximum tow capacities .  

Getting Ready for Towing

• Check those trailer tires. "A lot of people check the tire pressures on their pickup truck, but they forget to check the tires on the trailer," Ibbotson says. "Also inspect the trailer tires for dry rot and cracking, especially if the trailer is stored outside and hasn't been used for months." Even if the tires appear to have plenty of tread, they age over time and that can lead to tire failure. Also, your tow vehicle's tires may require a higher pressure for towing, as outlined in the owner's manual. Don't forget to make sure the wheel lug nuts on the trailer and tow vehicle are tightened to the specified torque.
• Make sure your tow vehicle's maintenance is up to date. Towing puts additional stress on the tow vehicle, so before heading out on a towing road trip, be sure your truck has recently had an oil and filter change, the brake pads have plenty of life remaining, the engine coolant is filled to the proper level in the reservoir, and the transmission fluid is topped off, Ibbotson says. It's also a good idea to have your trailer's brakes (if it has them) checked and adjusted, and keep the wheel bearings greased.
• Match the hitch ball to the trailer.  "Make sure the ball on your tow hitch is the same size as the coupler on your trailer," says Kent Sundling, MrTruck.com founder. "Incorrectly sized hitch balls are the No. 1 cause of trailer accidents," he says. Hitch balls typically come in three sizes: 1⅞ inches, 2 inches, and 2 5⁄16 inches.
• Don't get stuck on the side of the road. "Always make sure you have at least one spare tire for your trailer," says Rod Romain, Ram Trucks chief engineer. You'll also want a lug nut wrench specific to your trailer's wheels, as well as a jack that will work properly with your trailer in case you need to change a flat tire on the side of the road, he says.
• Use trailer safety chains. All trailers should have safety chains that hook up to the hitch. "Always cross the trailer's safety chains, don't just run them straight," Ibbotson says. "If anything were to happen and the trailer got disconnected from the tow vehicle, the crossed chains will form a ‘cradle' for the tongue of the trailer to fall down onto, instead of digging into the pavement." The chains should have enough slack to permit sharp turns but not drag on the road.
• Check trailer lights. Before hitting the road, double check to make sure the trailer's electrical wiring system is properly connected to the tow vehicle. Inspect the wires by hand; they should be loose enough to be able to make turns without getting disconnected from the tow vehicle, yet not so loose that they touch the road. With a partner to visually confirm, check that the trailer's running lights, brake lights, turn signals, and hazard lights are all working in correlation with the tow vehicle.
• Choose the right hitch. "Some vehicles come with factory-installed tow hitches, but for those that don't, finding the right hitch is important," says David Bennett, AAA repair systems manager. "Visit your local trailer rental company and explain what you intend to tow. A professional there can give you proper guidance." AAA also recommends that trailer hitches be connected to the tow vehicle's frame, not the bumper.
• Consider getting tow mirrors. If your trailer is wider than your tow vehicle, look into getting factory or wider aftermarket tow mirrors to help see the trailer's blind spots while driving and to aid rear visibility when backing up. "You need all the mirror width you can get when you're towing a trailer," Sundling says. Many new trucks and SUVs are also available with blind spot warning systems that not only help with the truck's blind spots but also give warnings for the entire length of the trailer.
• Get a larger fuel tank. Some full-sized pickups can be ordered with a larger than standard fuel tank—a good idea if you plan on doing a lot of towing. "You generally use more fuel while towing, and stopping at small, remote gas stations is not always easy [when towing a long, tall trailer]," says Nick Cappa, vehicle engineering media relations manager at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.
• Use wheel chocks. When unhooking the trailer from the tow vehicle, place wheel chocks (sturdy, wedge-shaped blocks) in front of and behind the trailer's tires to ensure the trailer doesn't roll away when it is released from the tow vehicle.

Once your trailer is safely hooked up to your tow vehicle, it's finally time to hit the open road and let the adventure begin.

But wait: Towing a trailer—regardless of whether it's a small pop-up camper trailer, a 20-foot powerboat, or a 30-foot, dual-axle RV travel trailer—requires practice, skill, and an even greater degree of driver attention than what most people are used to.

Below we highlight some important tips for getting you, your truck, and your trailer on down the road to your destination safely.  

Key Driving Tips for Safe Towing

Know your trailer. "In many cases, the trailer weighs more than the truck," says Romain at Ram Trucks. All that extra weight behind the truck will have a huge impact on the truck's ability to stop quickly and navigate sharp turns. "Height can also be an issue, as travel trailers can be much taller than the truck, so keep clearances in mind when pulling into gas stations or low bridge situations," Romain says.

Make wider turns at curves and corners. Because your trailer's wheels will end up closer to the inside of a turn than the wheels of your tow vehicle, the trailer tires are more likely to hit or ride up over curbs. Safe towing requires that the driver take constant care to give a wider berth than usual around any corner.

Allow for longer stopping distances. Stopping distances will increase from what your tow vehicle can normally achieve on its own, because of the added weight of the trailer. This means you'll need to be more attentive to vehicles stopping suddenly ahead of you when towing, and begin braking sooner than if you weren't towing.

Drive in the right lane on highways. "Try to drive in the right lane as much as possible, so you can use the extra stopping room of the right shoulder of the road in case you need to brake suddenly," says Sundling at MrTruck.com. Driving in the right lane will also make it easier to get over to the shoulder in the case of a tire blowout.

Adjust trailer brakes according to load. Many trailers have electric brakes, and the power level can be adjusted by the driver if the truck is fitted with an optional in-vehicle trailer brake controller system. "It's important to adjust how heavily the trailer's brakes are applied," says CR's Ibbotson. "For example, you'll want the trailer's brakes set to use a lot of force when towing a heavy boat. But when the boat isn't on the trailer, the trailer's brakes need to be readjusted for that lighter weight, so the trailer's tires aren't locking up and skidding."

Don't ride your truck's brakes on long downhills. Shift the truck's transmission to a lower gear to help slow the vehicle and take some strain off of the brakes. Many of today's pickup trucks have a tow/haul mode that, when the driver engages the system, will automatically downshift the transmission when it senses the truck is on a long downhill. Applying the brakes at intervals to keep the speed in check (as opposed to constant application on the brake pedal) will help keep the brakes from overheating.

Use a spotter when backing up. Have someone outside at the rear of the trailer while backing up whenever possible; mirrors—even wide tow mirrors—typically can't provide all the visibility you may need, particularly in situations where there are other vehicles, objects, or people in close proximity.

Practice driving with a trailer. "Before hitting the road, it's a good idea to practice accelerating, backing up, braking, making wide turns, and using your sideview mirrors," says AAA's Bennett. This is especially important if you are brand-new to the art of towing a trailer behind your vehicle.

Disconnect wiring before launching a boat.  Disconnect the trailer's wiring from the tow vehicle before backing the trailer into the water at a boat launch. This will avoid any electrical problems that might arise from submerging the trailer's lights in the water.

Check your route ahead of time. "Some roads don't allow trailers on them, and certain roads also have weight, height, and width limits," says Mel Yu, CR's automotive analyst. Planning your route ahead of time will save you from the hassle of having to backtrack to find roads that allow your rig. 

Do you have other tips to make towing easier and safer? Share them in the comments below. 

What to Know About Towing

There are so many vehicles to satisfy your inner adventurer. On the " Consumer 101 " TV show, Consumer Reports expert Mike Monticello explains to host Jack Rico what to know about getting these beauties from point A to point B.

Mike Monticello

After my dad gave me a ride on his Yamaha two-stroke motorcycle when I was 3, I was hooked on anything with an engine. I got a master's in journalism as a means to an end: To drive cars and get paid for it, which led me to jobs at Road & Track and Edmunds.com. My most thrilling moment so far has been hurtling down the autobahn at a GPS-timed 217.1 mph in a Ruf Rt12. On weekends you can find me churning dirt on my mountain bike or doing car or motorcycle track days. Follow me on Twitter . (@MikeMonticello)

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The RV Trailer Towing Checklist

By: Author The Drivin' & Vibin' Team

Posted on March 28, 2021

You just got an RV trailer and you’re feeling overwhelmed with everything there is to check before towing. Or, maybe you’re a seasoned RVer and you want to be sure you didn’t miss anything! 

Either way, an RV trailer towing checklist is exactly what you need. Eliminate the overwhelm and double-check yourself to be sure you’re towing safely. 

Let’s get into the RV trailer towing checklist now.

Don’t Hit The Road Without A Trailer Towing Checklist

Towing an RV trailer can be intimidating, especially if you’ve never towed a trailer before! There is just so much to remember and any mistake could mean damaging your RV… an RVers worst nightmare. 

Whether you’re a new RVer or a seasoned trailer tower, everyone should be using a checklist. 

New RVers benefit from towing checklists for peace-of-mind to not forget anything. Seasoned RVers should also use a checklist because once you get comfortable with something, you can start missing small things. 

What Systems Do You Need To Check Before Towing a Trailer?

There are several things you need to check before towing your trailer. Here are the top things you’ll be checking before hitting the road with your trailer

Hitch Check

You need to be sure your RV is hitched correctly. This goes for the hitch itself, the safety chains, and the electrical connections. The hitch check and brake check are the most important parts of an RV trailer towing checklist. 

Electric and Brakes

Always verify your electric connection is working properly to supply power to your brakes, brake lights, and turning signals. 

The RV Itself

You’ll want to do a pre-trip walk around to check everything on the RV. Make sure the tires are okay, the doors are locked, the windows and vents are closed, the antenna is down, and that the storage bays are securely fastened and locked. 

Pro Tip : Here are the 5 Best Crossover SUVs for Towing .

Pre-Departure Towing Checklist For RVers

Here is a handy list to help you create your own RV trailer towing checklist. Copy and paste or write them down, it’s up to you! 

Trailer Interior

• Make sure everything is put away safely
• Arrange items in fridge so they won’t break
• Lower TV antenna
• Close and latch all windows and vents
• Latch all cabinet doors

Trailer Exterior

• Be sure all hoses and cords are put away and secured
• Check all storage bay doors
• Check trailer tire pressure
• Be sure all windows and vents are closed and lowered

Hitching Checklist

• Inspect hitch to be sure it’s securely attached
• Attach safety chains securely
• Hook up breakaway cable
• Connect sway bars if applicable
• Connect electric and verify that it’s working

Final Safety Checks

• Do a final RV walkaround 
• Ensure doors and windows are shut and locked
• All storage bays are securely latched
• No chocks or leveling blocks left behind
• RV is unplugged
• Check headlights and mirrors

RV Checklist App and Printables

The Ultimate RV Checklist app is a handy and budget-friendly app for your cell phone that includes all types of RVs. This checklist app has departure checklists, arrival checklists, and more!

Perfect for anyone who doesn’t want a physical list, and it doesn’t leave anything out. 

You can also download and print this checklist below!

Never Leave Without A Checklist

Even if you’re a seasoned RVer, it’s so important to utilize lists and checklists. Having a physical or digital checklist is the best way to make sure you’re not missing anything.

Nobody wants to lose an antenna or awning because they got too comfortable and forgot to check.

Happy towing!

Discover the Best Free Camping Across the USA

To be honest with you,  we hate paying for camping . There are so many free campsites in America (with complete privacy).

You should give it a try!

As a matter of fact, these free campsites are yours.  Every time you pay federal taxes, you’re contributing to these lands.

Become a FREE CAMPING INSIDER and join the 100,000 campers who love to score the best site! 

We’ll send you the 50 Best Free Campsites in the USA (one per state).  Access the list by submitting your email below:

One thing to add to your list is to ENSURE your batteries on your RV are working when discounted from shore power. The emergency break away cable will only work if the RV’s batteries are good. To test this, unplug from shore power (assuming you’re not boondocking) and pull the emergency plug. The trailers brakes should lock up. You can have a second person listen for this, as you can’t exactly roll the trailer to see. LOL. Or you could do a light “tug test” with the camper hitched up without the 7-way plug attached. Happy camping!

Towing a Trailer for the First Time: Everything You Need to Know from a Full-Time RVer

By Alexis Chateau \ December 05, 2023

So, you’ve finally done it! You’ve bought the TAXA habitat of your dreams . Already, you can envision yourself towing your trailer along mountain roads and parking up next to beautiful lakes and waterfalls. There’s just one teeny-tiny problem — you’ve never towed a day in your life. Now what?

The good news is it’s really not that hard to learn. Take it from me! I learned to tow my 22-foot RV in just three weeks before taking off on a full-time adventure. I’ve been on the road since September 2020 and have had an amazing experience.

Find what you’re looking for:

Why understanding towing safety is important

Before you attach your trailer, how to hook up your trailer, how to drive while towing, parking your trailer, other towing faqs.

Ready for your first towing adventure with that new camper or trailer? Exciting, right? But, pump the brakes a little — safety comes first, not just for you but for everyone on the road. Without the right knowledge, accidents, vehicle damage, and unnecessary stress can lurk around the corner.

Is it hard to tow a trailer for the first time?

Towing a trailer for the first time may seem daunting, but with the right knowledge and preparation, it doesn't have to be difficult. Like any new skill, practice and patience are key. Take the time to familiarize yourself with your vehicle and trailer, and practice towing in a controlled environment before hitting the open road.

Thankfully, this guide's got your back. It's your shortcut to essential towing know-how, ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey. Buckle up for a smooth towing debut!

Before you start getting your trailer hitched up to your vehicle, there are some checks and items you should consider first:

Make sure your vehicle can actually tow your trailer

Understanding your vehicle's towing capacity is the first step to safe towing. Check your vehicle's manual or consult the manufacturer's guidelines to find its maximum towing capacity. This figure will help you assess whether your camper or trailer falls within the acceptable weight range. Exceeding the towing capacity can strain your vehicle's engine, transmission, and brakes, leading to safety hazards and potential damage.

For more information, see our in-depth guide on understanding trailer weights , or check out our guide to common tow vehicles .

Check your tires

Before hitting the road, thoroughly inspect the tires on both your tow vehicle and trailer. Underinflated or worn-out tires can compromise stability and increase the risk of blowouts, especially when towing heavy loads.

During a long trip up to Wyoming from California , I almost had a double blow-out. I did check my tires, but when you’re still learning, you’re not always sure what to look for. Here’s my advice:

• Check the tread of your tires to ensure they haven’t worn down
• Check the sidewall of the tires for cracks
• Check the seams of the tires to see if you see any splitting or lifting
• Check the PSI of your tires to ensure they match the recommendations for your trailer or for that specific tire
• Make it a habit to regularly monitor tire pressure throughout your journey
• Remember to check the spare tire

Get tow mirrors

When it comes to towing, visibility is king, and regular mirrors might not cut it. Enter clip-on or extended mirrors — absolute must-haves that latch onto your existing side mirrors (although TAXA campers are skinny enough that these typically aren’t necessary). Adjust them just right, and voila! Those pesky blind spots are history, giving you the upper hand for lane changes, merges, and parking with confidence.

Get safety chains

These are crucial safety features, providing a backup connection between your tow vehicle and trailer in case the primary hitch fails. Cross the safety chains under the trailer tongue and attach them to the hitch on either side. Make sure they're snug but not dragging on the ground. These chains are your fail-safe, ensuring your tow vehicle and trailer stay connected, no matter what.

Follow the 60 / 40 rule

Have you ever heard of the tail wagging the dog? It happens when you fail to load a trailer properly. To prevent this from happening, use your axle as a marker. Then, enter the camper and make a note of where the axle runs underneath. When you load your personal items, try to keep 60% of the weight toward the front of the camper and 40% of the weight toward the back (this doesn’t have to be exact, just do a rough estimate).

Plan gas stops ahead of time

Before hitting the road, factor in the refueling game plan with your trailer in tow. Opt for larger gas stations, as they offer more elbow room for smoothly maneuvering your vehicle and trailer. Assess the accessibility of gas stations along your route, ensuring their entrances and exits can handle your entire setup.

While every trailer is different, the broad steps you’ll need to follow for hooking your camper up to your vehicle are:

• Position Your Vehicle: Back your vehicle up to the trailer, aligning the hitch ball with the trailer coupler. Take your time and make precise adjustments to ensure a proper connection.
• Lower the Trailer onto the Hitch: Use the trailer jack to gradually lower the trailer onto the hitch ball. Be attentive to prevent any sudden drops that may damage the hitch or trailer.
• Lock the Coupler: Once the trailer is securely on the hitch ball, lock the coupler in place. Double-check that the locking mechanism is engaged, providing an extra layer of security.
• Connect Safety Chains: Cross the safety chains under the trailer tongue and attach them to the hitch on either side. Ensure they are crisscrossed to form an "X" shape, providing stability in case of a hitch failure.
• Attach Trailer Wiring: Connect the trailer's wiring harness to your vehicle. Test all lights and signals to confirm they are functioning correctly. Proper lighting is essential for safe towing, making your intentions clear to other drivers.

Taking your trailer on that first trip is an exciting but nerve-wracking experience. I still remember my sweaty palms and the butterflies in my tummy the first time I merged into Atlanta’s 16-lane highway traffic with my 22-foot trailer. I had an incident-free towing experience, so let’s do our best to ensure you do too.

Calm yourself before towing your trailer

When you finally take your camper out for that first trip, you need to be calm. If you’re too tense at the wheel, you run the risk of over-correcting at the smallest provocation, which can be dangerous. Once you’ve been on the road for about 15 minutes or so, you’ll likely start to relax and feel more at ease.

Adjust your brakes

Your trailer or truck may or may not have adjustable brakes. For example, I can adjust my trailer brakes from inside the truck. If yours are adjustable, put your hazards on and drive a few feet down the street. Then, use the brakes normally. If your trailer stops too suddenly, turn the brake strength down. If you feel no assistance in braking from the trailer, up the number.

Practice towing your trailer

Once or twice per week, I would drive 1 hour and 15 minutes to the acreage I stored my trailer on. At first, I only towed it around the property. On the second solo trip, I took the trailer back to a Walmart parking lot that I used to practice parking to get used to a different environment.

Keep it steady and moderate. Going too fast can lead to trailer sway, where your trailer oscillates from side to side, playing havoc with your stability. Stick to the speed limits set by your vehicle's maker for towing. If sway does sneak in, gently ease off the gas and avoid heavy braking. You can also consider investing in a trailer sway control system, which enhances stability and control during your journey.

Turning with a trailer requires a different approach compared to solo driving. Given the extended length of your setup, opting for wider turns is key to avoid the trailer cutting corners or colliding with obstacles (and other vehicles). Consistently check your tow mirrors to track the trailer's position and ensure it sticks to the planned swing path. A bit of practice in an open area before venturing onto the road can go a long way in getting comfortable with the nuances of turning while towing.

Hills and inclines

Navigating inclines with a camper or trailer demands a careful approach. When heading uphill, keep a consistent speed and avoid abrupt accelerations. If your vehicle is struggling with the incline, think about downshifting to a lower gear for that extra torque. On the way down, opt for lower gears to manage your speed, minimizing reliance on brakes that might overheat and jeopardize safety.

Be aware of how things feel

While on the road with your trailer, keep an eye on how your vehicle and trailer behave and feel. If you sense odd vibrations or catch unfamiliar sounds, don't brush them off — tackle them right away. Any shifts in handling, responsiveness, or stability warrant attention. If things seem off, find a safe spot to pull over and give your setup a thorough once-over.

Follow road etiquette

Stick to the right lane on highways, giving faster-moving vehicles a clear path to pass safely. Signal your intentions well ahead of any maneuvers and exercise caution when changing lanes. Keep a safe following distance, allowing for ample reaction time, and steer clear of tailgating. A touch of consideration for fellow drivers ensures a smoother and safer experience for everyone sharing the road.

Towing in inclement weather

Navigating difficult weather while towing demands extra care. Rain or snow means slippery roads, so ease up on the accelerator, reduce your speed, and extend your following distance to accommodate longer braking distances. Keep a steady grip on the steering wheel, especially in gusty winds that can sway or push your trailer. If conditions turn too perilous, consider delaying your journey. Safety should always be your compass, guiding adjustments to your driving to match the weather conditions.

Parking a trailer can be a challenging task for first-time towers, but with practice and patience, it becomes more manageable. Take the time to develop your skills in various scenarios, and soon you'll be confidently navigating parking spaces and campsites on your outdoor adventures.

• Understand Your Trailer's Dimensions: Familiarize yourself with the dimensions of your trailer, especially its length and width. Knowing these dimensions will help you gauge the space needed for parking.
• Choose an Open Area for Practice: Before attempting to park your trailer in a tight space, find an open area like an empty parking lot. This allows you to practice maneuvering without the pressure of obstacles.
• Practice Straight-Line Backing: Start by practicing straight-line backing. Align your vehicle and trailer in a straight line, then slowly reverse while keeping an eye on both side mirrors. This fundamental skill will serve as the foundation for more complex parking maneuvers.
• Master Angled Parking: As you gain confidence with straight-line backing, progress to angled parking. Choose an open space with lines or markers and practice parking your trailer at various angles. Use your mirrors to guide you and pay attention to the relationship between your vehicle and the trailer.
• Use a Spotter When Available: If possible, have a spotter assist you when parking to provide guidance and help you avoid obstacles. Communication is key — establish clear signals beforehand, such as hand gestures or two-way radios.
• Use Reference Points: Develop reference points to gauge your trailer's position. For example, identify a spot on your vehicle or trailer that aligns with a specific point on the ground. This helps you maintain control and accuracy during parking.

Other tried and true advice

There was one YouTube video that changed my life:

It is half an hour long, but it’s worth watching. The video taught me the theory behind backing in, which made the practical aspect of it much easier. I watched it every day for a week before I first attempted to back up my trailer.

Some of these tips I learned from watching the video. Others, I’ve learned during my travels:

• If possible, install a backup camera on your camper , but only use it to ensure you aren’t about to hit something.
• When backing in, always start with the site on the driver’s side . This is much easier because you have better visibility.
• If you’re backing up solo, do it at an angle . It’s easier to monitor the turning radius than it is to guess what’s directly behind your trailer.
• Even if you have the world’s best spotter, always get out and look at the site for yourself .
• If you have a spotter, agree from the start what they mean by left or right . This might sound silly right now, but it will make sense once you try it.
• Use the bottom of your steering wheel as a guide . If you turn from the bottom to the left or right, the back end of your trailer will do the same.
• Your trailer will not turn immediately , so budget for it to go the wrong way first when getting into tight spaces.

Congratulations! You now have all the basic information you need for towing your trailer. Need some one-on-one advice? Talk to a TAXA Adventure Specialist today!

Are there age restrictions for towing?

Age restrictions for towing vary by location. In many places, you need to be at least 18 years old to tow a trailer. Check local regulations to ensure compliance.

Can you tow in the left lane?

In most cases, it's recommended to stay in the right lane while towing. Use the left lane for passing only, as driving in the left lane can impede traffic.

What causes fishtailing?

Fishtailing (or trailer sway) occurs when a trailer swings from side to side. It can result from uneven weight distribution, improper loading, or high speeds. Properly distribute weight, load your trailer evenly, and drive at a safe and moderate speed to prevent fishtailing.

Can you tow with a full water tank?

Towing with a full water tank adds extra weight and can impact your vehicle's towing capacity. Consider emptying the tank before towing and fill it at your destination if needed.

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Towing Safety

Definitive guide to safe towing.

There is a revolution taking place in the world of towing, and we want to help people understand just how important (and easy!) it is to have safe towing peace of mind by weighing your tongue weight before you tow. 

Those who tow within their load’s target tongue weight have a huge safety advantage that is hard to overstate, and we wanted to provide a complete guide for safe towing.

If towing safely is important to your business or lifestyle then this guide is for you. Let’s begin.

What is Safe Towing?

The capacities of your truck, trailer, and hitch each play an important role in how much you should be towing. Safe towing is understanding, calculating and staying within the specified weight limits of each part of your towing system. 

What is the meaning of GVWR? Why is tongue weight so important? Do I need a weight distribution hitch? Let’s start at the beginning…

#1 – Towing Within Your Truck’s Tow Capacity

Towing capacity refers to how much weight you can safely pull behind your truck with a trailer. It will take a few minutes and some calculations to pin down your truck’s exact towing capacity. Start by getting some information from your door sticker:

• GVWR – Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (the maximum amount your truck can safely weigh when loaded. It also includes tongue weight, which is not the weight of the trailer and payload itself, but the downward force it exerts on the trailer hitch ball)
• GCWR – Gross Combined Weight Rating (the maximum combined amount your truck and trailer can safely weigh when loaded)
• Payload Capacity – the maximum cargo weight that you can safely add to your truck’s curb weight (GVWR minus the truck’s curb weight)
• Curb Weight – this is how much your truck weighs empty (without anyone in it or any cargo)

Tow Capacity Formula

• Find out curb weight.
• Add the weight of the payload (passengers, cargo, tongue weight) to the curb weight.
• Subtract this number from your truck’s GCWR.
• This is your max towing capacity.
• Check to make sure your hitch and trailer can also handle this weight.

Pro Tip: Weigh your truck with all your normal, everyday gear and equipment (i.e. custom tool box, spare tire, etc) at a weigh station to determine accurate curb weight.

Here’s an example with numbers. Let’s say your truck has a GCWR of 15,000 lbs. It weighs 5,000 lbs empty and you just loaded 4,000 lbs of dirt in the truck bed. Your towing capacity would be no more than 6,000 lbs.

#2 – Towing Within Your Trailer’s Load Limit

Towing within your trailer’s load limit refers to the maximum amount of weight you can load onto it. To determine the safest load limit for your trailer, start by locating the Federal Certification/VIN label on the front half of your trailer. It should be located on the left side.

Specifications on the label should include:

• GVWR – Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (the total maximum amount your trailer can safely weigh when loaded)
• GAWR – Gross Axle Weight Rating (the maximum amount of weight that can be placed over each axle)
• Payload Capacity – the maximum amount of cargo weight that you can safely load onto your trailer (your trailer’s load limit)
• Trailer Weight – this is how much your trailer weighs empty (you can weigh your empty trailer at a local weigh station)

Trailer Load Limit Formula

• Find your trailer’s GVWR. 
• Subtract your trailer weight.
• This is your trailer load limit.
• Check to make sure your truck is capable of pulling your trailer’s GVWR, and that you’re following tire, hitch, and loading specifications.

Let’s go back to our example with numbers. You’ve calculated that your towing capacity is 6,000 lbs. Your utility trailer has a GVWR of 4,000 lbs and it weighs 1,000 lbs empty. Your trailer load limit is no more than 3,000 lbs. 

In this case, even though your truck’s tow capacity could handle another 2,000 lbs, your trailer can not. Cargo should only be added up to your trailer’s listed GVWR on the placard.

#3 – Towing Within Your Target Tongue Weight

Safe towing requires a certain amount of downward pressure on the hitch ball, called tongue weight, to ensure that the trailer will tow straight and remain stable. In all cases, it is not the weight itself that matters, it’s what tongue weight represents : that the trailer’s center of mass is situated ahead of its axle. 

How Tongue Weight Affects Your Truck’s Stability and Handling

https://youtu.be/w9Dgxe584Ss

This video demonstrates just how vital it is to keep within your target tongue weight. Yet, manually measuring tongue weight is an extensive process requiring several steps: pulling your trailer onto the scale, uncoupling it, leaving it on the scale to get your total trailer weight, then reconnecting and driving your truck wheels off the scale to measure your trailer’s axle weight measurement, then subtracting the axle weight from the total trailer weight to determine your trailer’s hitch weight….

Get where this is going??  

Most people don’t bother to weigh tongue weight at all. They just eyeball it and call it good. Which puts you at risk of losing control of your truck and trailer.

Not any more.

Introducing your secret weapon…a Weigh Safe hitch with a built-in scale to measure tongue weight.

A Weigh Safe hitch will accurately measure the tongue weight of your trailer.

For safe towing, the recommended amount of tongue weight is 10% – 15% of your loaded trailer’s weight. use this formula to calculate the recommended amount of tongue weight for your trailer:  .

Target Tongue Weight Formula

• Find your GTW (Gross Trailer Weight. This is the weight of your trailer, plus the weight of the cargo you’ve loaded onto it. GTW can also be referred to as GVW, Gross Vehicle Weight).
• Multiply GTW by (0.1).
• This is the minimum of your target tongue weight. 
• Multiply GTW by (0.15).
• This is the maximum of your target tongue weight.
• When loading your trailer, aim to position your cargo so that your trailer’s tongue weight is within this range. Also, check to make sure the tongue weight isn’t putting your truck’s payload capacity above its maximum. 

Adjusting Tongue Weight

Adjusting your tongue weight involves putting heavier items ahead of the trailer axle, but not all the way towards the extreme forward edge. You’ll also need to center heavy items left-to-right and position them as low to the trailer deck as practical. Be sure to secure loose items — particularly the heavier ones — so they can’t move and alter the trailer’s tongue weight underway. The goal is to have about 60% of your cargo’s mass ahead of the trailer axle and 40% behind.

HOW IT WORKS VIDEO  

Let’s follow up on our example with numbers. You’ve calculated that it’s safe to load 2,500 lbs of landscaping equipment onto your new trailer. This brings your GTW to 3,500 lbs. This means your target tongue weight is within 350 lbs – 525 lbs. Your truck is already loaded with 4,000 pounds of dirt. With this additional tongue weight, your truck’s total payload will now be 4,350 lbs – 4,525 lbs. 

This brings your combined weight  – your truck’s curb weight (5,000 lbs), plus your truck’s payload (4,525 lbs), plus your loaded trailer weight (3,500 lbs) – to a total of 13,025 lbs.

This total combined weight is below your truck’s GCWR of 15,000 lbs, so you’re feeling confident that your truck (and your trailer) can handle this amount safely. 

But, can your hitch??        

#4 – Towing Within Your Hitch’s Capacity

Traditional hitches are composed of three main parts:

• Receiver – the square receptacle that is mounted to your truck. 
• Ball Mount – the shaft that slides into the receiver and is securely pinned when it’s time to tow (should be removed, or stowed, when not in use).
• Trailer Ball – the metal ball and connection point between your truck and trailer, allowing you to turn corners and travel over bumps and hills. (Trailer balls come in different diameters, and should be selected to match your trailer’s specific requirements).

All three of these components will be stamped or labeled with GTW (Gross Trailer Weight) ratings of their own, and all three ratings must meet or exceed your truck’s tow rating.

Hitch capacity formula.

• Find your receiver hitch GTW rating.
• Find your ball mount GTW rating.
• Find your tow ball GTW rating.
• The lowest of these GTW ratings is the maximum capacity of your hitch.

Pro tip: It’s important to note that using overrated components does not increase your truck’s towing capacity, but undersized ones represent the weakest link and must therefore lower it. You may not need the full capacity now, but when you need to pull a larger trailer in the future, it pays to have a hitch that is already equipped to handle the weight.

Receiver Hitch Ratings:

Receiver hitch classes are separated by their maximum weight capacity rating and receiver opening size. Classes range from I to V, and each class has its own unique capacity and applications. You can start by using the chart below to determine which class of receiver hitch is required to pull your trailer:

Continuing with our example: If your trailer has a GVWR of 4,000 lbs, your truck must feature, at least, a Class III receiver hitch to pull your fully-loaded trailer safely. And all of your ball mounts will need a 2” shaft that will fit into the 2” opening of your truck’s hitch receiver. 

What size tow ball does my trailer hitch need?

The size of your hitch’s tow ball must perfectly match the size of your trailer’s coupler (the front part of your trailer, designed to latch onto the tow ball). Let’s say your trailer comes with a 1-7/8 ” coupler. You’ll need a 1-7/8” tow ball on your hitch’s ball mount, in order for your trailer’s coupler to latch onto the tow ball and operate correctly. 

Tow Ball Ratings:

There is a comprehensive range of ball hitch sizes – and weight capacities range from 2,000 up to 30,000 pounds. When selecting a trailer ball (like any towing accessory), weight capacity must always be considered. You can start by using the chart below to determine which size and type is best for towing your trailer:

Continuing with our example: Let’s say your truck features a Class IV receiver with a 2” opening, and your trailer features a 1-7/8″ coupler. To hitch your trailer to your truck, you’ll need a ball mount with  a 2” shaft and a 1-7/8′ tow ball. 

Now, let’s talk about the amount of drop or rise your ball mount must have to meet the height of your trailer.

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We want to thank you for caring about Towing Safety. Please feel free to use the following discount code for 10% off your next order with us! 

#5 – Towing With The Correct Drop or Rise

If your trailer rides lower or higher than your truck, a specific ball mount can be used to make up the difference and ensure the trailer is level. 

When loaded, both your truck and trailer must be level with the ground. 

You’ll need to make some further calculations to determine how much of a drop, or rise, your ball mount requires to meet the height of your loaded trailer:

Drop Length Formula (for trailers that ride lower than your truck)

• Measure the distance from the bottom of your trailer’s coupler to the ground (be sure your trailer is loaded and sitting level with the ground while you measure).
• Subtract this number from the height of your hitch receiver (distance from the top of the inside of your truck’s hitch receiver to the ground).
• This is the required drop length of your ball mount.

Rise Length Formula (for trailers that ride higher than your truck)

• Measure distance from the bottom of your trailer’s coupler to the ground (be sure your trailer is loaded and sitting level with the ground while you measure).
• From this number, subtract the height of your hitch receiver (distance from the top of the inside of your truck’s hitch receiver to the ground).
• This is your required rise length of your ball mount.

Pro tip: Be sure your trailer is exactly level with the ground by placing a level on the top of your trailer’s coupler. Use the crank on your trailer jack to adjust the height, up or down, until the level is plumb, then take your measurement.

Redefining the Hitch

Adjustable trailer hitches are one of the many great solutions that make towing easier and safer. With so many different trucks and trailers out there, adjustable trailer hitches make it easy to tow numerous trailers on an array of different tow vehicles with one single hitch. 

Meet the Weigh Safe Drop Hitch : An adjustable trailer hitch with a built-in scale. 

The easiest solution for:

• measuring tongue weight
• making vertical height adjustments
• switching between different tow ball sizes
• towing a variety of trailer types

PRODUCT FEATURE:

Weigh Safe Adjustable Drop Hitches come in an array of different drop lengths ranging between 4 to 10 inches, each with 1” increments for adjustability. All of which can be used in both the drop and rise position. 

#6 – Ensuring Adequate Hitch Clearance

To avoid that dreaded scraping sound and to avoid damage to your trailer, you’ll need adequate clearance from the bottom of the hitch to the ground. It’s important to note that the “drop length” of a hitch is not the same as its “total length”. 

When your trailer is fully loaded, there must be a minimum clearance of 11 inches from the bottom of the hitch to the ground.

All Weigh Safe Draw Bars are 3 inches longer than their listed drop length. To ensure adequate clearance, start by using this formula to choose the right drawbar size for your adjustable trailer hitch:

Hitch Clearance Formula  

• Find your required drop length (use drop length formula above).
• Add 3 inches.
• This is your total hitch length. Subtract this number from the height of your truck’s hitch receiver (distance from the top of the inside of the hitch receiver to the ground). 
• This is your hitch’s amount of clearance and should be no less than 13 inches when the hitch is unloaded (uncoupled from the trailer). 
• Your hitch’s clearance should be no less than 11 inches when the hitch is loaded (coupled to the trailer and bearing tongue weight).

Here’s another example with numbers. Let’s say that you own a Ford F350 pickup truck. You’ve measured 24.5 inches from the top of your hitch receiver to the ground. You’ve considered purchasing a hitch with a 10-inch drop, for plenty of vertical height adjustment options. However, a Weigh Safe Hitch with a 8-inch drop, has a total length of 13 inches. 

Using the hitch clearance formula, you calculate that 24.5 inches minus 13 inches would only leave you with 11.5 inches of clearance, unloaded. Ultimately, you decide to invest in a hitch with a drop length of no more than 8 inches, so that you’ll have plenty of clearance, especially, when your hitch is fully loaded (carrying your trailer’s tongue weight).

SHOP BALL MOUNTS

#7 – Towing With Weight Distribution and Sway Control

So far, we’ve discussed towing mid-range sized trailers. But, let’s say you’re ready to pull a trailer with a GTW of 6,000lbs. You might be thinking, “but, my basic trailer hitch already has a max GTW of around 8,000 lbs, right?” … Yes, you’re right, it does. But, that doesn’t mean it will be able to deliver the kind of sway control and driving safety you’ll need when towing at its maximum capacity. 

This is where a weight distribution hitch comes in. Your truck’s owner’s manual should provide you with specifications regarding weight distribution use. For instance, the 2018 Chevy Traverse owner’s manual states that weight distribution and sway control are required when towing a trailer over 5,000 lbs. You can also use this checklist to determine if you’ll need a weight distribution hitch:  

Indicators You Need A Weight Distribution Hitch:

• Your trailer weight (GTW) is more than 50% of your truck’s weight (GVWR)
• The rear of your truck sags when the trailer is hooked up
• You experience trailer sway
• Your truck’s headlights point upward
• You find it difficult to steer or stop
• You want to tow to the highest capacity allowed by your trailer hitch

If you’re ready to install a weight distribution hitch, you can begin by reading our Definitive Towing Guide for Weight Distribution . (eventual link here)

#8 – Towing Heavy Duty Loads Securely 

Towing heavy-duty-sized loads – such as horse trailers, industrial equipment, or rv’s –  comes with even more considerations. only pick-up trucks equipped with a towing system for a gooseneck hitch can tow weight capacities of 30,000 lbs. .

If you’re ready to install a gooseneck hitch, you can read our Definitive Guide to Heavy-duty Towing (eventual link here)

#9 – understanding truck and trailer maintenance .

Safe towing also means getting to know your equipment, learning how to install it, and understanding how to operate and maintain it. You’ll get more comfortable with your equipment over time, but here’s a helpful checklist to go over each time you hit the road:

Towing Trip Checklist:

• Go over your calculations and formulas one more time. In the event of an accident, or being inspected – if you have not adhered to the safety recommendations, specifications, and ratings of your truck, hitch, and trailer – it’s a violation and a ticket.
• Check your truck and trailer tires.  
• Your truck tires may require higher pressure for towing , as recommended in the owner’s manual. 
• Your trailer tires may have dry rot or cracking, especially, if your trailer has been stored outside and/or hasn’t been used for a season. 
• Don’t forget to check the wheel lug nuts on your trailer and truck are tightened to the specified torque.
• Check your oil, fluids, and brakes. Towing puts additional stress on your truck. So before heading out on a towing road trip, be sure your truck has:
• had a recent oil and filter change
• brake pads with plenty of life remaining
• its engine coolant filled to the proper level in the reservoir
• plenty of transmission fluid

If your trailer has brakes, it’s also a good idea to have those checke d, as well, and to keep the wheel bearings greased.

• Take a spare tire kit for your trailer. Make sure you have at least one spare tire for your trailer. You’ll also want a lug nut wrench specific to your trailer’s wheels, as well as a jack that will work properly with your trailer.
• Cross your trailer’s safety chains. Don’t just run them straight. Crossed chains are meant to form a ‘cradle’. If the hitch was ever to fail, the tongue of the trailer would fall down into the crossed chains, rather than digging into the pavement. The chains should have enough slack to permit sharp turns, but not drag on the road.
• Check trailer lights. Inspect the wires by hand; they should be loose enough to permit turns without getting disconnected, but tight enough that they won’t touch the road. Be sure the trailer’s running lights, brake lights, turn signals, and hazard lights are all working properly.
• Consider towing mirrors . If your trailer is wider than your truck, look into getting wide aftermarket tow mirrors to help you see your trailer’s blind spots while driving and to aid rear visibility when backing up.
• Plan Ahead for Fuel Stops. You’ll generally use more fuel while towing, and stopping at a small, remote gas station is not so easy with a large truck and trailer.
• Use wheel chocks. When unhooking the trailer from your truck, place wheel chocks (sturdy, wedge-shaped blocks) in front of and behind the trailer’s tires to ensure the trailer doesn’t roll away when you release the hitch.

#10 – Using Safe Driving Techniques

In many cases, your trailer will weigh more than your truck. All that extra weight behind the truck will have a huge impact on the truck’s driving ability. You’ll need to learn new driving techniques to ensure safety on the road while towing:

Safe Driving Techniques For Towing:

• Allow for longer stopping distances. Be more attentive to vehicles stopping suddenly ahead of you when towing, and begin braking sooner than if you weren’t towing.
• Drive in the right lane on highways as much as possible. This will make it easier for you to get over to the shoulder if ever you need extra stopping room or happen to have a tire blowout.
• Don’t ride your truck’s brakes on long downhills. Shift the truck’s transmission to a lower gear to help slow the vehicle and take some strain off of the brakes. Applying the brakes at intervals to keep the speed in check (as opposed to constant application of the brake pedal) will help keep the brakes from overheating.
• Adjust trailer brakes according to load. For example, if your trailer is equipped with brakes, you’ll want them set to use a lot of force when towing a heavy load, but when the trailer is empty, the trailer’s brakes need to be readjusted for that lighter weight, so the trailer’s tires aren’t locking up and skidding.
• Consider Height: Trailers can be much taller than the truck, so keep clearances in mind when pulling into gas stations or low bridge situations
• Take constant care to make wider turns at curves and corners. The trailer tires are more likely to hit or ride up over curbs. 
• Use a spotter when backing up. Have someone outside at the rear of the trailer while backing up whenever possible. Even wide tow mirrors can’t provide all the visibility you may need, particularly in situations where there are other vehicles, objects, or people in close proximity.
• Check your route ahead of time. Some roads don’t allow trailers on them, and certain roads also have weight, height, and width limits. Plan your route ahead of time to avoid the hassle of having to backtrack to find roads that allow your rig.

Towing can seem like a daunting task, but nail these guidelines we’ve outlined and you’ll be well on your way to towing safely and confidently!

For a PDF version of this guide, click here

For more support and tips on towing, you can browse some of our how-to videos , or feel free to contact us with any of your questions. We’re here to help!  

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Buying a Travel Trailer: A Decision-Making Checklist

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer  here .

Table of Contents

Table of contents

Buying a travel trailer, travel trailer.

• Questions to ask yourself/Things to consider:

1.) Curb Weight

2.) gross vehicle weight rating (gvwr), 3.) gross combined vehicle weight rating (gcvwr), 4.) max payload, 5.) gross axle weight rating (gawr), 6.) conventional trailer weight rating, 7.) max tongue weight, terminology recap, travel trailer terms example, our specific situation, personal towing decision, 1.) two separate sitting areas, 2.) storage, 3.) trailer length, common travel trailer model number terms, travel trailer layout model codes, buying our travel trailer, travel trailer walkthroughs, purchased travel trailer specs, 1.) type of rv: do you really want a travel trailer vs. a camper, 2.) what vehicle are you going to use to tow it, 3.) do you understand towing terms have you ensured your desired tow vehicle & travel trailer is a safe set up, 4.) what are your wants and needs functionally what floor plans make the most sense for you, 5.) what is your budget.

In the world of camping there are many different options. Depending on your desired experience (and budget) will determine the type of trailer you purchase. You can get a camper that’s just an enclosure to sleep in and very basic. To being an extremely luxurious loaded out Recreational Vehicle that is your roaming house on wheels. Somewhere in-between that broad spectrum lies a very popular option, a Travel Trailer. When considering your personal wants and needs it’s important to have goals in mind but to also be flexible. Not everyone’s solution is the same. But, at the end of the day hold true to what you want, how you want to obtain it and most of all the type of experience you want to have with your trailer.

What is the difference between a Travel Trailer vs. a Camper?

So you might be wondering, just what the heck is a “Travel Trailer”? Isn’t it the same thing as a camper? What’s the difference between a Travel Trailer and an RV? To be perfectly honest, they are all different and also alike in some respects. As if it wasn’t already confusing enough! I’ll explain the primary differences at a very high level to cut through most of the technical jargon and to give you a clear understanding to grasp of the terms. Let’s start with a Camper.

A camper is the most common term used when it comes to camping. You may think well I’m going camping in a structure of some sort so yes, it’s a camper! Well, in general that’s a completely fair assumption. But, if you go to an RV dealer asking to look at campers, some will actually ask for clarification on what you’re looking for.

To put it simply, campers are small trailers (or in some cases can take up the bed of a pickup truck) and are strictly meant for a place to sleep while outdoors. Most campers do not have any type of storage and some have very little. A camper’s primary purpose is to offer some structural protection from the elements while being outdoors and camping, hence the term “camper”. They’re usually very budget friendly and lightweight. Keep in mind they offer limited storage, can be hard to maneuver and offer less amenities and comfort.

Travel trailers are essentially larger campers. They offer a lot of what campers do in terms of structural protection from the elements but offer more room, more facilities, more cargo space and can hold more people. Travel Trailers are larger than campers offering more space and are typically easier to maneuver. This however comes with some cons such as higher price tag and reduced fuel economy when towing.

Towing a Camper or Travel Trailer

Now that you have a general understanding of the difference between a camper and travel trailer, your specific situation now comes into focus.

Questions to ask yourself/Things to consider :

These are a couple of the questions you need to consider when choosing the best fit for you personally.

• Do you already own a vehicle you’re going to use to pull the camper or travel trailer?
• Do you know what the maximum weight your tow vehicle can tow is?
• Does your vehicle have a tow hitch receiver?

We have a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Crew Cab with a maximum tow package on it. This truck is a beauty and we purchased it at the end of 2020. I was born and raised in Texas and my parents drove trucks and naturally I did growing up as well. Trucks offer many benefits like increased hauling capability, the ability to pull trailers and just flat out they look great! In the past fuel efficiency was something to be desired, however as of 2019, trucks have come a long way! Some can even rival smaller cars that get around 25 MPG! Knowing that we already have a truck prior to purchasing a travel trailer and that we both work remotely, so we would need working space in a trailer, we quickly decided that a camper was not the solution for us.

Me being the analytical and scientific thinker that I am, I needed solid facts and research to make my decisions. Where else to turn to but the Inter-webs (my wife’s term 😆 ).

I never really was a YouTube watcher but holy moly did this come in handy! I started searching anything from “Towing a travel trailer” to “Things to know before towing a travel trailer”. Well you get the idea, but it was a wealth of knowledge. Doing so allowed me to gather information from many sources! Then I compiled all of the information and organized my thoughts into lists.

I’m no rookie to towing trailers given my Texas roots. Honestly, I used to hook up and go without a thought of maximum towing capacity, Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings, and Payload capacities! Even though I’ve towed many trailers it was definitely an eye opening moment for me.

Towing Terminology

You may be thinking, “what the heck is he talking about right now?” Or if you know exactly what I said good for you, you’re a step ahead. If you don’t know what I’m referring to, not to worry I’ll explain those terms here. When you are considering towing a trailer of any kind you always need to keep these terms in mind! Below is a list of terms you should know and become familiar with but keep in mind this list is not exhaustive.

The curb weight is the total weight of a vehicle. This includes all fluids necessary to operate the vehicle, and all options in the trim level of the vehicle. This weight does not include any cargo or people inside the vehicle. If the vehicle was sitting parked on the street with nothing in it and no people inside; that’s what it would weigh.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the maximum amount of weight a vehicle can carry including all cargo and passengers.

The Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating (GCVWR) is the maximum combined weight of the vehicle and trailer. This weight includes with all cargo and passengers loaded in both the vehicle and trailer.

Max Payload is the maximum weight your truck can carry in both the cabin and the truck bed.

Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) – This is the maximum amount of weight that an axle can withstand.

Conventional Trailer Weight Rating – This is the maximum amount that a trailer can weigh when being pulled by the vehicle. The conventional term refers to traditional towing. Which is using a bumper pull trailer with a hitch receiver. The hitch receiver is mounted to the frame located under the body of the vehicle.

Max Tongue Weight is the maximum amount of weight (trailer weight applied to the tow ball) that your vehicle can handle.

These are basic terms to know when looking to purchase a tow vehicle or considering what your current vehicle can tow. Every vehicle make is different in terms of where this information is located. Some places this information is located include: in the glovebox, drivers side door jam, or on the hitch receiver itself.

Some of the terms can be confusing at first. But once you realize the numbers are the absolute maximums your vehicle can handle its helpful. It also makes it pretty clear that you should stay well under those numbers!

A good analogy to explain this is that you would never fill a glass up to the brim and expect to walk a considerable distance without spilling any. Kudos to you if you can! But, it’s a pretty unrealistic expectation. Similarly, you wouldn’t max your vehicle and trailer and expect to hit the road safely. For the safety of those around you it’s your responsibility to understand these numbers to tow a travel trailer safely.

In our specific situation, we already own a tow vehicle that we are going to use. The next step was to apply the terms and numbers to our situation. Below is a snapshot of our truck’s numbers and it’s quite clearly laid out. We have a max GVWR of 7,100 lbs and a max trailer weight of 8,800 lbs.

The max combined GVWR is 15,000 pounds. After doing simple math that tells us that the max values already do not match. For example, subtracting 7,100 pounds (Max truck GVWR) from the max combined weight of 15,000 pounds. This tells us that the maximum amount our trailer can weigh is 7,900 pounds. (Assuming our truck is at the max GVWR of 7,100 lbs.) This was a head scratcher for me so again back to YouTube I went. I found a great channel “Keep your Daydreams” and they have an associated blog as well here . This video was helpful and the spreadsheet was an excellent tool! It really helped to narrow in on our specific weights and what we could tow. (Spreadsheets are life!) Yes, I am a nerd and yes I love my spreadsheets…I have a spreadsheet for just about any occasion, just ask Heather!

Then putting our information together, with the aid of this excel spreadsheet I was able to run our exact numbers. (As shown below.) It’s easy to see that when we are hitched to a trailer with the maximum trailer GVWR and max hitch (Tongue) weight, we are left with only 588 lbs of payload capacity. (Recall from earlier that the payload is the total weight of cargo and passengers in the tow vehicle. ) Technically we are under our numbers that assumes the total weight of the trailer is 8,800 lbs. and we carry only 588 lbs. of passengers and cargo in the truck. I don’t know about you but I could probably say we have 588 lbs. of dog toys and Heather’s shoes and makeup so didn’t leave us much room for anything else!

This is another reason why I stated that towing at your maximum numbers is not a good idea! This tool was very enlightening for me. It allowed me to work this spreadsheet into a more usable case scenario based on our weight, weight of our dog, and all the gear we’d typically want to travel with. So, armed with this new handy dandy tool; I ran with it and input multiple scenarios according to travel trailers I found online.

What’s great about looking at travel trailers online is that you can go directly to the manufacturer and pull those trailer GVWR numbers and hitch numbers from their website. The just plug those into the calculator to see if what you like fits within your current configuration.

Given my engineering background I always like to be more safe than should be. So I chose to add in a factor of safety to our trailer GVWR. I’ll spare you the engineering technical definition but in layman’s terms it just means that the max weight for our system would be less than the manufacturer specified maximum weights. So in our case, 8,800 lbs. is our manufacturer designated trailer GVWR so I chose to take 80% of that as our max or about 7,000 lbs. My new combined GVWR could now be right around 14,000 lbs. and I knew I wouldn’t have any issue with safety, capability or legally being overweight. Using that new trailer GVWR we could now narrow in our focus on travel trailers that had a maximum 7,000 lb. GVWR.

Researching Travel Trailers

Once I had the numbers for my specific vehicle I relied on my spreadsheets. There was a multiple tab spreadsheet involved in making the final decision. Information on the spreadsheet included calculations based on the GVWR calculator mentioned previously and created several tabs that incorporated the travel trailer numbers, floor plans and links to view them.

In the grand scheme of things putting it together at this level of detail was probably overkill but it was very organized and it made it easy to have discussions to make decisions. We started searching the internet for some floorpan options and found Camping World to be one of the best options. They have a ton of inventory and they even have walkthrough videos that show you the floorpans.

Many of the videos are a bit sales pitchy but if you ignore that piece they’re great for doing a virtual walkthrough of a travel trailer. They even have tow guides that you can enter your vehicle make and model or VIN number and it will auto sort options that your vehicle can tow. Be sure to keep in mind the previous discussion about towing within your maximum GVWR numbers, though!

Travel Trailer Floor plans

So on to our spreadsheet with selected floor pans. We originally started out with about 10-15 options and watched a few videos. Heather had some pretty specific criteria in mind; I just wanted a bathroom and a place to sleep. I was more wrapped up in the style and being within our capacity limits. Once Heather and I sat down and walked through some videos and floor plans we agreed on a list of criteria that we wanted in our travel trailer. Coming up with a list of your wants is especially important if you’ll be living in your travel trailer or RV for an extended period of time .

Our Travel Trailer Wishlist :

Since we would both be working remote, we didn’t want to be right next to each other all day everyday working!

We wanted plenty of storage space. Most travel trailers are great at doing this and utilize space under dinette’s and sofa’s so this was pretty easy to find. We will definitely get creative about where things go and what makes more sense but having the organizational spaces to store things is huge!

I wanted to be under 30 feet in terms of a travel trailer just based on the research I did. Because the longer the trailer, the heavier duty your tow vehicle should be in theory. This is to help counteract any trailer sway you may experience. A fantastic YouTube channel I watched a ton of videos on is “ Big Truck Big RV “.

This is not an exhaustive list but these were the big hitters for us that needed to be there. Our spreadsheet eventually dwindled down to 1-2 solid options for us. The first option was the KZ Sportsmen SE 241RKSE and the Forest River 23MK .

You’re probably wondering what all the letters and numbers mean because that sounds like a whole lot of jibberish. It actually is somewhat of a code for Travel Trailer model numbers and letters.

The numbers listed in the model typically refer to living space of the enclosure in terms of feet. So, in the example about “241” would correlate to 24 feet and 1 inch of living space. The “23” above would mean 23 feet of living space, and so forth.

Key thing to remember here : this is not the overall travel trailer length, only the enclosure length. Typically a travel trailer is anywhere from 3-5 feet in addition to the living space. This includes the trailer lounge and rear bumper and in some cases a fold down storage rack.

The letters following the numbers also denote a general description of the layout of the travel trailer. There is an entire dictionary dedicated to what these acronyms mean. But, I won’t bore you with the full list. Here are a few common ones for the travel trailers we were looking into.

RK – Rear Kitchen

MK – Middle Kitchen

RE – Rear Entertainment

RKS – Rear Kitchen w/Slide

RL – Rear Living

RD – Rear Dining

RB – Rear Bath

Putting the numbers and letters together is an easy way to identify the kind of travel trailer you’re looking at. Once you look around at a few you get the idea and will better understand the layouts. It becomes easier to narrow in on what you want and not waste time looking at trailers that won’t meet your needs.

In our case we really liked the Rear Kitchen (usually these had the most countertop and overhead storage space) and the Rear Living (nice open living area) models. Now that we had models we liked narrowed down we could focus in on searching for them in our area. We wanted to make time to go look at them in person. Always a great idea to look at things in person, I’m not a sight unseen purchaser by any means!

We started scoping the RV dealers in our area and found some models we liked and wanted to see in person. Now, in the middle of all this we were packing our home & selling our home. So the time between all of the research and when we were starting to look at travel trailers in person was stretched out.

Once we had completed that phase of moving and relocating we were able to get serious about looking at travel trailers in person. We hadn’t been considering a used travel trailer just because it didn’t seem like there were many options out there, but then….we found an almost perfect fit for us! We found a Rear Kitchen model with an oversized foldaway sofa and a dinette all within our budget, overall length and weight specs! To be honest I was very excited to go look at this one because I knew we were getting a step above entry level travel trailer for an entry level price, so the value was there for me. It seemed like the perfect option!

We made plans to go see the trailer the first chance we could. Once we got there it was evident the travel trailer was used just by a few blemishes and bit of dated inside but it checked all the storage and spec boxes. The travel trailer is a 2018 Forest River Vibe Extreme Lite 258RKS (remember those letter and number combos from earlier?). This travel trailer also had a few of our “nice to haves” like power stabilizer jacks versus the traditional hand crank ones and a front power jack, both of which save time and energy! Especially as we set out on our travels this summer, working remotely and moving every so often this was a huge selling point.

This trailer checked all the boxes for us. It has two separate sitting areas, an enclosed bedroom, and plenty of under and over storage options. Best of all this trailer fits within our 30 foot maximum length and 7,000 lb. Maximum weight requirement we have!

So what do you think we did? Bought it of course! To give you a final number roundup of where we will be with this trailer and how much cargo capacity we will have, see below. Inputting over-estimated weights for passengers and cargo, our truck is at the max GVWR and trailer is under our imposed 80% of our trailer GVWR. Total combined GVWR is 13,473 which is under the 15,000 GCVWR.

Buying a Travel Trailer Checklist

To recap, here are the things you need to as yourself or consider when buying a travel trailer: (you can use this as your checklist to refer to later!)

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