RV Front DeskTowing checkText usText us: (330) 631-5059

What can my truck tow?

Check a rental travel trailer against your own vehicle. You read the ratings from your owner's manual, and this page does the math.

Start the check
  1. Tow ratingTrailer GVWR against your tow rating
  2. Tongue weight10% to 15% of GVWR against your hitch limit
  3. PayloadPeople, cargo and tongue weight against payload
  4. Combined weightVehicle, load and trailer against your GCWR

This check is for a conventional travel trailer on a ball hitch. Fifth wheels put more weight on the truck and need their own check.

The trailer
From the rental listing or the label on the trailer. Use GVWR, not dry weight.
Your vehicle
In your owner's manual or the manufacturer's towing guide.
On the tire and loading label in the driver's door jamb: "The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed..."
Everyone riding along, plus bags, coolers, pets and the hitch itself. Round up.
In your manual or on the label of your hitch receiver.
Gross combined weight rating, in your manual or towing guide.
Your vehicle's empty weight, in the same place.

Your results show here

Enter the trailer's GVWR and your vehicle's numbers. Each check updates as you type.

  • Trailer weight against your tow ratingNot checked yetNeeds the trailer GVWR and your tow rating.
  • Tongue weight against your hitch limitNot checked yetNeeds the trailer GVWR and your maximum tongue weight.
  • Payload: people, cargo and tongue weightNot checked yetNeeds the trailer GVWR, your payload and what you carry in the vehicle.
  • Combined weight against your GCWRNot checked yetNeeds the trailer GVWR, your GCWR, your curb weight and what you carry in the vehicle.

Tongue weight is figured at 10% to 15% of the trailer's GVWR. If your vehicle's manufacturer gives its own figure, use theirs.

New to towing? Start here

  1. Your tow rating is a best case

    Manufacturers set it for a lightly loaded vehicle. Every passenger, bag and accessory you add lowers what you can safely tow.

  2. Use the trailer's GVWR, not its dry weight

    Dry weight is the trailer as it left the factory. Water, propane and your gear all add to it, and GVWR is the most it may weigh loaded.

  3. Tongue weight counts as cargo

    About 10% to 15% of the trailer's weight presses down on your hitch. It comes out of your vehicle's payload, so check payload even when the tow rating looks fine.

  4. Your numbers are in the manual

    Your tow rating is in the owner's manual or the manufacturer's towing guide, not on the standard door jamb labels. The tire and loading label in the driver's door jamb shows your payload.

  5. Not sure? Do not tow

    Confirm every number in your owner's manual before you hitch up. If one is missing, ask the rental company before your trip.

The words on the labels

GVWR
Gross vehicle weight rating. The most a vehicle or trailer may weigh fully loaded.
GCWR
Gross combined weight rating. The most your vehicle and loaded trailer may weigh together.
Curb weight
Your vehicle with a full tank and standard equipment, before people and cargo.
Payload
The most weight of people and cargo your vehicle may carry, tongue weight included.
Tongue weight
The downward weight the trailer puts on your hitch.
Dry weight
The trailer as built at the factory, before water, propane and gear.

Where these facts come from

This page stores no tow ratings. The definitions and the 10% to 15% tongue weight range come from these manufacturer guides and federal rules.

Run an RV rental company?

RV Front Desk texts your renters back, matches them to the right RV and helps them during the trip. See the sample rental site.

Text usText us: (330) 631-5059See a sample rental site
RV Front DeskText message

Can my truck tow the trailer we want to rent?

Check the trailer's GVWR against your tow rating, then tongue weight, payload and combined weight. The towing check does the math.

Our renters ask that all the time.