How Much Can You Tow?
When choosing your new RV or used RV it is crucial that it is within your towing capacity! This will ensure a safe towing experience as you leave on your camping adventures.
Whether you are towing a trailer, fifth wheel or toyhauler, it is important to know that your vehicle’s max towing capacity includes passenger weight, added accessories, any current liquids in tanks, and all of your cargo (this is things like food, clothes, chairs, grills, games, tools, etc.).
Max towing capacity = passenger weight + any accessories + liquids in tanks + your cargo (food, clothes, chairs, grills, games, tools, etc.).
Click Here for the tow guides – to find RVs that you can tow.
Terms & Definitions you should know
- 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.
You should 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 you need help or your specific vehicle is not listed, please contact us for assistance. We are more than happy to help you.
Sacramento Happy Daze RV (916) 921-9222
Livermore Happy Daze RV (925) 443-0222
Gilroy Happy Daze RV (408) 842-2221
