If you’re researching fifth wheels vs travel trailers, you know they both come in many sizes. Some can be pulled by SUVs or mid-size trucks, while others require a heavy-duty pickup truck. So, before you tour RVs in person, it’s smart to use an RV towing calculator to know how much your vehicle can tow. If you have a specific RV in mind but don’t have a vehicle to tow it, you’re in a perfect place to learn how to find the best vehicle for towing a camper.
Here’s everything you need to know about RV weight ratings, diesel vs gas tow vehicles, and more. Plus, enjoy our breakdown of the listing tow capacities for common tow vehicles from SUVs up to heavy-duty trucks. Let’s begin with RV weight ratings.
Start With RV Weight Ratings
Every RV has a vehicle identification sticker that provides basic information about its trailer, including weight ratings, tire size, and more. Here are a few key terms to know.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
This is the total weight the RV can handle based on its axles and tire ratings.
Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)
The maximum weight allowed for the tow vehicle and the trailer when fully loaded.
Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW)
How much the trailer weighs as it rolls off the assembly line.
UVW includes any of the basic amenities inside – like the dinette, sleeper sofa, theater seating, and kitchen appliances – as well as the weight of batteries and LP containers. It does not include the weight of the passengers or cargo you’ll add, nor does it factor in the liquid weight you may carry with full holding tanks.
Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC)
The maximum amount of weight you can load into your RV. Calculate it by subtracting the unloaded vehicle weight from the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR – UVW = CCC).
As an example, let’s say the GVWR is 3,500 pounds, and the UVW is 2,500 pounds.
3,500 – 2,500 = 1,000 pounds of cargo carrying capacity
Any accessories added during an RV renovation, plus your camping gear, will affect your RV’s cargo carrying capacity. This is why we often preach the importance of lightweight materials and packing only what you truly need.
Hitch Weight
The amount of weight exerted on your tow vehicle’s hitch ball or fifth wheel hitch. This is also known as tongue weight for travel trailers and pin weight for fifth wheels.
Payload Capacity
The amount of cargo weight your tow vehicle can hold. This includes the weight of all passengers and cargo inside the vehicle and the hitch weight of your trailer or fifth wheel.
Rear Axle Weight Rating (RAWR)
The amount of weight your vehicle’s rear suspension is rated to handle.
The Bottom Line + A Sample Calculation
Understanding all RV weight ratings is important, but you can find the best vehicle for towing your desired camper by looking closely at a trailer’s GVWR and hitch weight.
Let’s take the 2023 Keystone Cougar Sport 2100RK, for example. The trailer’s GVWR is 8,500 pounds, and the hitch weighs 1,120 pounds.
To avoid making the tow vehicle work to its maximum capacity at all times, it is recommended that the towing capacity be at least 125% of the RV’s GVWR. Since the Cougar has a GVWR of 8,500 pounds, times 1.25 means we want a tow vehicle with a towing capacity of more than 10,625 pounds.
For example, the 2023 Ford F-150 offers an average towing capacity of up to 11,300 pounds and a payload capacity of up to 2,238 pounds, which would be sufficient for towing the Cougar Sport and handling its hitch weight, provided you don’t load more than another 1,118 pounds on the truck’s rear axle.
In short, your tow vehicle should be rated to tow more than your trailer’s GVWR, and the whole combination – when fully loaded – must not exceed either vehicle’s GCWR. Your tow vehicle’s RAWR must also exceed the trailer’s hitch weight, plus any cargo in the truck bed or trunk that rests directly on the rear suspension.
Input a tow vehicle’s year, make, model, and trim (or VIN) into Camping World’s towing guide to view its maximum towing capacity and find RVs your vehicle can tow.
Find a Compatible Tow Vehicle
Smaller travel trailers, like pop up campers, teardrop trailers, and lightweight travel trailers, can sometimes be pulled by smaller vehicles. Family SUVs, minivans, and mid-size trucks are great options because they offer additional packing space inside the vehicle or truck bed.
With larger trailers and fifth wheels, you’ll need a full-size or heavy-duty pickup truck to handle the extra weight placed on the rear suspension. You need to know the pin weight of the fifth wheel and ensure it doesn’t exceed your tow vehicle’s RAWR.
Most heavy-duty trucks have a RAWR somewhere between 5,000 and 10,000 pounds. The pin weight of most larger fifth wheel trailers averages around 3,500 pounds. So there’s usually more than enough capacity to handle the weight. With that said, let’s look at some of the best vehicles for towing a camper, including picks for the best electric vehicle for towing!
Editor’s Note: The listed weights below are for 2025 models only. Actual ratings vary based on year, make, model, and trim. Please consult vehicle manufacturers for the most up-to-date tow vehicle weight ratings.
The Best SUVs for Towing a Camper
These are the towing and payload capacities, so you can find a full or midsize SUV with the best towing capacity for pulling campers like those featured above!
| SUV | Towing Capacity (lbs) | Payload Capacity (lbs) |
| Tesla Model X | Up to 5,000 | Up to 1,000 |
| Toyota 4Runner | Up to 6,000 | Up to 1,600 |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | Up to 6,200 | Up to 1,812 |
| GMC Hummer EV SUV | Up to 7,500 | Up to 1,300 |
| Audi Q8 | Up to 7,700 | Up to 1,444 |
| Rivian R1S | Up to 7,700 | Up to 2,070 |
| Chevrolet Tahoe | Up to 7,900 | Up to 1,895 |
| GMC Yukon | Up to 8,000 | Up to 1,901 |
| Nissan Armada | Up to 8,500 | Up to 1,620 |
| Dodge Durango | Up to 8,700 | Up to 1,787 |
| Toyota Sequoia | Up to 9,520 | Up to 1,730 |
| Ford Expedition | Up to 9,600 | Up to 1,757 |
Compact and Mid-Size Trucks for Towing a Camper
Find out which of these popular compact and mid-size trucks is the best vehicle for towing a small camper.
| Mid-Size Truck | Towing Capacity (lbs) | Payload Capacity (lbs) |
| Ford Maverick | Up to 4,000 | Up to 1,545 |
| Hyundai Santa Cruz | Up to 5,000 | Up to 1,744 |
| Honda Ridgeline | Up to 5,000 | Up to 1,599 |
| Jeep Gladiator | Up to 7,000 | Up to 1,710 |
| Nissan Frontier | Up to 7,150 | Up to 1,620 |
| Toyota Tacoma | Up to 6,500 | Up to 1,705 |
| Ford Ranger | Up to 7,500 | Up to 1,805 |
| Chevrolet Colorado | Up to 7,700 | Up to 1,685 |
| GMC Canyon | Up to 7,700 | Up to 1,640 |
Full-Size Trucks for Towing a Camper
Compare the towing and payload capacities of these popular full-size trucks to find your best vehicle for towing a camper with a higher dry weight and GVWR.
| Full-Size Truck | Towing Capacity (lbs) | Payload Capacity (lbs) |
| Ford F-150 Lightning | Up to 10,000 | Up to 2,235 |
| Rivian R1T | Up to 11,000 | Up to 1,384 |
| RAM 1500 | Up to 11,550 | Up to 2,362 |
| Toyota Tundra | Up to 12,000 | Up to 1,940 |
| GMC Hummer EV Pickup | Up to 12,000 | Up to 1,487 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | Up to 13,300 | Up to 2,280 |
| GMC Sierra 1500 | Up to 13,300 | Up to 2,530 |
| Ford F-150 | Up to 13,500 | Up to 2,445 |
Heavy-Duty Trucks for Towing a Camper
Explore your options for the best vehicles for towing a large camper.
| Full-Size Truck | Towing Capacity (lbs) | Payload Capacity (lbs) |
| Ford F-250 | Up to 16,800 | Up to 4,303 |
| Ford F-350 | Up to 27,000 | Up to 6,378 |
| Ford F-450 | Up to 30,000 | Up to 8,000 |
| Chevy Silverado 2500 | Up to 16,000 | Up to 3,900 |
| Chevy Silverado 3500 | Up to 36,000 | Up to 7,442 |
| GMC Sierra 2500 | Up to 18,500 | Up to 3,975 |
| GMC Sierra 3500 | Up to 36,000 | Up to 5,262 |
| RAM 2500 | Up to 19,990 | Up to 3,990 |
| RAM 3500 | Up to 37,000 | Up to 7,680 |
Is a Diesel or Gas Tow Vehicle Better?
There’s a lot of heat in the gas versus diesel debate. Diesel engines offer excellent towing power, and they’re geared to handle big tow loads. You can take inclines with a loaded fifth wheel while hardly slowing down. Additionally, most dually trucks are built with diesel engines, meaning that you’ll likely only find diesel options if you’re looking for a truck with a higher payload and towing capacity.
It was once true that diesel tow vehicles had much higher maintenance costs, but newer gasoline models can be just as expensive. Newer gas engines also still pack plenty of power. Their gear ratios may mean you slow down more on steep inclines, but many see nothing wrong with that. For some, it simply comes down to the difference in their region’s gas and diesel fuel prices.
It also comes down to what you’re most comfortable driving. Find a tow vehicle that will pull your RV and one you’re comfortable driving. The last thing anyone wants is an unsafe (and uncomfortable) RVer on the road.
How To Safely Load an RV
Here are a few tips to help you load your trailer for safe towing:
Regardless of your RV-tow vehicle combination, you can use these tips for safe RV towing:
- Follow the 60/40 Rule. Place 60% of the loaded weight in front of your trailer’s center axle and the remaining 40% behind it. This helps with trailer sway control.
- Travel with Empty Holding Tanks. One gallon of water weighs over eight pounds. Most RV fresh water tanks hold anywhere from 20-100 gallons. Depending on your model, that means you’ll carry an extra 160-800 pounds, just in fresh water weight. Alternatively, you can carry extra water in a portable water container.
- Pack Efficiently. Carry only what you absolutely need for your trip. The more weight you tow, the more your gas mileage will suffer and the more strain you put on both the RV and tow vehicle.
Ensuring the safety of your towable RV starts by choosing the right tow vehicle. So here are a few more helpful resources:
- Tow Vehicles: Should You Buy New or Shop Used?
- Can a Half-Ton Truck Tow a Fifth Wheel RV?
- Everything You Need to Hitch & Tow Your RV
- Do You Need Trailer Sway Control?
- What Is a Trailer Braking System?
Do you have questions about what kind of vehicle you should get to tow your RV? Please post them in the comments below!
I have a ford 2019 explorer- 6 c.
What can I tow/buy?
Hi Sandra, you can use our Tow Calculator to find out what RVs you can tow with your vehicle. Input your vehicle’s information and it will populate a number of RV options: https://rv.campingworld.com/towguide
I’m towing a 2023 coachmen freedom express ultra lite 259fkds with a 2018 Chevy Silverado 6.2L engine. Am I good?
What would you recommend for the 2024 HEARTLAND EDDIE BAUER 34BHS? We were considering an Expedition or Tahoe, but after reading and watching this, we are thinking truck such as the Tundra or even larger (F250) might be the way to go.
Hi Devon,
The GVWR for the 2024 Heartland Eddie Bauer 34BHS is listed at 11,302 pounds. That’s the maximum weight the trailer (plus cargo, full holding tanks, etc.) should weigh, and thus the maximum weight you should be towing with it. That said, if you adhere to the 75-80% rule to minimize stress on your tow vehicle, you’d be looking for a truck with a tow rating of 14,200 to 15,100 pounds, depending on whether you shoot for the 75 or 80% threshold (14,200 x .8 = 11360); (15,100 x .75 = 11325).
If you’re curious about the towing capacities of different vehicle’s you’re considering, you can input their year, make, model, and trim in our Towing Guide: https://rv.campingworld.com/towguide
Let us know if you have any additional questions!
I am buying my first RV – 2019 Flagstaff Micro 21DS. (It has a sway bar, trailer brakes, good hitch). I’m looking to purchase a vehicle that will handle this trailer. It will be my every day vehicle so I don’t want a drastically oversized one. What is the minimum tow capacity that I should be looking for? Would an SUV with tow capacity of 8400 lbs easily pull it?
Dry weight: 4,816 lbs
Payload capacity: 1,744 lbs
Hi Kathy,
With the weights you’ve given, that means the maximum loaded weight of your trailer shouldn’t exceed 6,560 pounds (4816 + 1744), which is the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) for that trailer. That falls below 80% of the tow capacity of the SUV mentioned, which is a smart threshold to shoot for. Still, I’d recommend consulting the vehicle manufacturer before finalizing a purchase. You’ll also need to ensure the sway bar and hitch components are rated for the proper weight. You can find more hitch & tow resources here: https://blog.campingworld.com/tag/hitch-tow/
I had a Honda Ridgeline. DO not tow over 2800lbs. The transmission will overheat and probably have to be replaced. It is also Front wheel drive or AWD, but this vehicle has not been engineered to tow.
Hi Sir, I am 60yrs old have not got my vehicle nor travel trailer I will be doing this all by myself.
I do have a CDL Class B so I can drive rigs also. I would like your advice on what I should get
a travel trailer or a Class C about 25ft. I am ex military so am pretty worn out physically have had neck surgery,
knee and shoulder surgery. Sooooo what would you suggest on my RV adventure or just get a car and stay in
a hotel to see the United States, Canada and Alaska:) Thank you Sir.
Hi Paula!
I’d highly recommend visiting your local Camping World dealership and speaking with one of our sales representatives. They can show you multiple motorhomes and travel trailers and discuss your personal preferences, as well as the pros and cons of living and traveling with each type. Here’s a link to help you find a dealership near you: https://rv.campingworld.com/locations
My towing capacity is 8200 and Im looking at a traielr that weighs 9000 and I sould probbaly assume another 1000 for people and supplies. Would upgrade hitch the non sway type and have trailer breaks installed. Just trying to determine if this would be okay. Wanting to make sure I dont void the manufacturer waranty of my vehicle but not sure how they woud know if I pull more weight than recomended.
I have a F250 diesel 2917 I would like too buy a fifth wheel toy hauler just not sure about weight
We currently tow a 21 ft travel trailer with a 2016 Tundra 5.7 4×4 SR5. The dry weightg of the trailer is 5400 lbs. Thinking of jumping up to a 25 ft. trailer with a dry weight of 7400 lbs. Will the Tundra handle the increase of weight?
Hi James!
I would recommend checking with your vehicle’s manufacturer about the question of whether towing too much would void the warranty. That said, I’d also caution against towing more than your vehicle’s rated capacity. It sounds like you might need a lighter trailer…or a truck with more towing capability.
Hi Alan! Have you used our towing guide to check your vehicle’s towing capacity?
Here’s the link: https://rv.campingworld.com/towguide
Aside from that, here are a few articles you might find useful:
https://blogcw.local/rv-basics/finding-your-rv/rv-buying-guide-understanding-rv-trailer-weight-ratings/
https://blogcw.local/rv-basics/maintenance/everything-you-need-to-hitch-tow-your-rv/
https://blogcw.local/rv-basics/common-mistake-new-fifth-wheel-owners-make-fw/
Hope that helps!
It should be able to handle 7,400 pounds as long as you have the right hitch.