How Much Trailer Can I Really Tow?

RV Dealers Could Sell You the Wrong Rig—Read This Before Buying

When it comes to RV and vehicle dealerships, the salespeople are usually knowledgeable about—well, selling you an RV or vehicle. But most lack experience in towing these massive trailers the way you'll have to. That is, across distance, over time, and in real-world conditions.

This means that no matter how well-meaning your dealership is, they often gloss over some of the finer points of towing. The typical exchange when you go to an RV dealership is they ask about your tow vehicle; you give them a year, make, and model; and they give you a general weight capacity and trailer length to stick with. Or, you go to the vehicle dealership and say you want to tow a 9,000 lb trailer, and they sell you a truck you'll max out in no time.

When my cousin was shopping for a camper for family road trips, she experienced this firsthand. She was told her Jeep could pull a 25' long, 10' tall camper. This information was technically true—she could tow a 25' camper. But would it be comfortable? Would it be safe?

Not so much. The Jeep's short wheelbase would not be sufficient to haul a 25' camper—at least, not safely, at full highway speeds, over long distances. Any bounce or sway from the trailer could end up pulling the Jeep or even result in her losing control of the vehicle.

The truth is, there's more to choosing a vehicle/trailer combo than matching a vague idea of your max tow capacity to the largest trailer within this limit. Below, we'll go over a few important factors your dealership probably didn't mention: your vehicle configuration, your payload, and your wheelbase ratio. All of these factors are just as important in determining how big of a trailer you can safely tow.

In this article:

Towing Term Glossary
How Much Towing Capacity Do I Need, and How Do I Calculate It?
What Is My Payload?
What Is My Wheelbase?

IMPORTANT: You do not want to max out your towing capacities. Just because the truck manufacturer says you can tow 15,000 lbs doesn't mean you should tow 14,090 lbs and call it good. Most experts recommend staying at at least 20-25% below capacity. Let's call that the "Comfort Zone."

Why? Overall, this is just going to result in a more comfortable ride for you. There will be less stress, wear, and tear on your tow vehicle. You will have a much easier time on hills. It'll be safer, and you won't have to worry that a bit of extra equipment will push you over your weight limit.

First of All, What is GVWR? (And Payload, and Tongue Weight...?)

There are a lot of acronyms in the towing world, and when you're starting out, it can seem like experienced towers are speaking a different language. Sure, you'd love to make sure your GTW is within proper limits by subtracting your GVWR from your GCWR...if only you knew what the heck those things even meant.

Below, we've created a visual glossary of sorts to help you understand all these towing terms. Mainly, these are just different ways of weighing a tow vehicle, a trailer, and the stuff inside it. These are some of the most common abbreviations and terms you'll hear when talking about trailer towing:

Tongue weight: The downward force you're putting on the hitch ball/coupler with your loaded trailer.

Pin weight: The downward force of a loaded trailer on a fifth-wheel hitch or gooseneck hitch.

GTW (Gross Trailer Weight): The weight of your fully loaded trailer as you'll be towing it down the road.

Trailer + Fuel + Cargo

GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weigh Rating): The maximum allowed weight of your fully loaded vehicle.

Loaded Tow Vehicle + Fuel + Passengers + Cargo + Hitch/Tongue Weight

GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating): The maximum weight of your fully loaded vehicle and trailer combined.

Loaded Tow Vehicle + Fuel + Passengers + Cargo + Loaded Trailer Weight

Payload: Weight of cargo, passengers, and tongue weight/hitch weight. Your max payload is your GVWR minus your curb weight.

Passengers + Cargo + Tongue/Pin Weight

Towing Capacity: The weight you can tow behind your vehicle (differs between conventional and 5th-wheel trailers).

Curb weight: Weight of your fully fueled vehicle with no cargo or people.

Vehicle + Fuel

Dry weight: Weight of your unloaded vehicle without fuel, passengers, or cargo.

Vehicle

Now that you're familiar with the weight ratings and terms you'll come across, let's dive into how they apply to towing.

How Much Towing Capacity Do I Need, and How Do I Calculate It?

One of the first questions RV dealers will ask you is what are you going to tow with? Most times, you'll give them your year, make, and model, and they'll give you a rough estimate of your max towing capacity. The important thing to remember here is that this is indeed a rough estimate—you can't pin down an exact weight capacity with this basic information. You also want to do more than take the dealer's word for it or run with the first number that pops up on Google.

RV Dealership Cartoon: "Sure, You Can Tow This Camper!"

Case in point: when my friend and coworker Jake visited his local RV dealer in search of a 5th wheel, the dealer asked him the usual "what do you drive?" question. Jake replied that he drove a 2013 RAM 2500. The dealer then informed him he could tow any fifth wheel on the lot with no trouble.

Unfortunately, this wasn't quite true. Knowing Jake's year, make, and model was a good starting point, but these details alone don't determine a vehicle's towing capacity. There's also engine type, axle ratio, wheelbase, drivetrain...as you can see, it's a lot more complicated than simply knowing what type of vehicle you have. Were Jake's truck a diesel, for instance, it would be capable of towing several thousand pounds more. Also, don't overlook the fact that a "properly equipped" vehicle (which typically includes a tow package and available towing upgrades) can tow much more than a base model vehicle. The internet is chock full of stories of disappointed trailer enthusiasts who bought a tow vehicle or camper on the advice of a dealer who failed to get into the nitty gritty reality of vehicle weight capacities.

So...how do you check your specific vehicle's trailer towing capacity?

Well, you can start by checking the manufacturer's tow chart online for your year/make/model and matching up all your vehicle options. However, keep in mind that manufacturers give you the max trailer weight you can tow. In this equation, they're assuming you weigh about 150 lbs as the driver, that you got the base options on your tow vehicle, and that you're not loaded down with gear. If this perfect scenario describes your setup, then congrats — you can tow the max trailer weight listed in your owner's manual. (Note: Ford and GM have traditionally included separate tow capacities for conventional and fifth-wheel trailers, though RAM provides a single number for both. Make sure you're looking at the right number when checking out these tow charts!)

But what about those of us who load up with gear and bring our families along? What if you added extra options to your vehicle? Well, in that case your real life towing capacity is going to be lower than what's listed.

The best, most accurate way to check how much your trailer can weigh is to take the GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) and subtract your GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight). Essentially, you want to know how much your entire setup is allowed to weigh, then take the real-life vehicle weight out of the equation and see how much trailer weight is leftover. Here's how to do that:

GCWR (a) - GVW (b) = Max Loaded Trailer Weight (c)

a) Finding Your GCWR - How Much Can Your Whole Setup Weigh?

Your GCWR is the maximum fully loaded weight of your vehicle and trailer combined. This includes passengers, cargo, fuel, etc. If it's rolling down the road on, in, or with your vehicle or trailer, it counts toward the GCWR. You can typically find this magical max number in your owner's manual (most OMs can be found online these days if you don't have access to yours).

The chart will look something like this:

Example of GCWR Information in Owner's Manual

Example of a GCWR chart in an owner's manual

Use your vehicle's identifying features to locate your GCWR. If you don't know information like your engine size, axle ratio, etc., you can typically find this by looking up your VIN online. (You can also check the sticker inside your driver's side door jamb for the axle code. Vehicle manufacturers provide online towing guides that match these codes to the correct axle ratio.)

Example of an axle ratio code on door jamb sticker

For example purposes, let's say our GCWR is 13,000 lbs.

b) Finding Your GVW - How Much of The Total is Taken By the Vehicle?

The only way to know how much your vehicle actually weighs with fuel, passengers, and gear is to load it up, take it to a commercial scale, and weigh it.

What's included in gross vehicle weight?

Weight of the vehicle
Fuel
Driver and passengers
Cargo
Tongue/pin weight (Tongue weight, or TW, should typically be 10% - 15% of your total conventional trailer weight, or 15% - 25% of your 5th-wheel/gooseneck weight. Since TW technically weighs down on your vehicle, it counts toward your GVW. Learn more about tongue weight here.)

If you're not ready to weigh your vehicle and want to get a conservative estimate, however, you can use your GVWR, or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. This is the maximum your vehicle should ever weigh, according to the manufacturer. (This is another weight rating you shouldn't surpass, by the way.)

Where do you find this? Check the driver's side door jamb for the sticker with your GVWR listed. You can also find it in your owner's manual or online.

In this example, our loaded vehicle can weigh no more than 6,500 lbs.

c) Finding Your Max Loaded Trailer Weight

If you know what your loaded vehicle weight truly is after weighing it on a commercial scale, you'll use this number. Otherwise, you can be conservative and use the GVWR here. We'll subtract the vehicle weight (or our estimate of the weight) from the Gross Combined Weight Rating. Whatever is left is the weight of the heaviest loaded trailer you can tow.

GCWR - GVW = Max Loaded Trailer Weight

Example: If my Gross Combined Weight Rating is 13,000 lbs, and I use my GVWR of 6,500 lbs as a conservative estimate, that leaves 6,500 lbs for the trailer.

13,000 - 6,500 = 6,500 lbs.

Now, this doesn't mean we want to max out our weight rating with a 6,500-lb trailer. Using our "comfort zone" rule above, let's take 75% of this capacity, which comes to 4,875. Ideally, we should tow a trailer around this size or smaller.

For example purposes, we've included a chart with common tow capacities by vehicle type along with what type of camper they can typically tow:

What Is My Payload Capacity?

There is often some confusion between the concept of payload and towing capacity. So which one do you need to pay attention to when it comes to towing?

The answer is both. Your payload is defined as the load weight a vehicle can carry, including people, cargo, tongue and hitch weight, and vehicle options. Think of towing capacity as how much your vehicle can pull. Payload, on the other hand, is more about the downward force of your cargo in your vehicle; how much can your vehicle hold?

Many vehicles these days (particularly trucks) have some truly monstrous towing capacities. However, even if you could tow a T-Rex, you're much more likely to reach your payload long before you reach your weight capacity. This is something many RV and car dealerships don't mention, and something many new towing enthusiasts don't consider.

What counts toward your payload?

Cargo
Vehicle options
People (driver and passengers)
Tongue weight or pin weight (should typically be 10%-15% of your total trailer weight, or around 15%-25% for fifth wheels). Read more on TW here.
Weight of your hitch

How do you find your payload capacity? Most vehicles now list the payload capacity on the yellow sticker inside the door jamb (also remember to subtract any aftermarket options you've added, such as tonneau covers or bed liners). RAM also provides a VIN lookup and indicates the payload capacity of each individual truck.

Payload listed on door jamb sticker

If for some reason you can't find your payload capacity this way, you can always figure it out by subtracting your curb weight from your GVWR. Your curb weight is the weight of your fully fueled vehicle with no cargo or people. (This is usually listed in your owner's manual or online.)

Myth Buster: A common misconception is that you can increase your vehicle's payload capacity or other weight ratings with upgraded aftermarket suspension. This is NOT the case. Suspension upgrades (and other towing upgrades) will provide better support and a better ride for a vehicle towing at its load capacity. However, you'll still be limited by your vehicle's payload capacity and other max weight ratings.

What Is My Wheelbase?

Something else most dealerships overlook when selling you a camper or tow vehicle is the wheelbase ratio—that is, how long your vehicle's wheelbase is in relation to your trailer's. Why does this matter?

It matters because a vehicle with a short wheelbase will have a much tougher time towing a long trailer. You need to make sure your tow vehicle can steer and maneuever your trailer—however, what happens when your wheelbase is too short is just the opposite. It's all too easy for your trailer to catch the wind or hit a bump and end up tugging your tow vehicle around the road. Not only is this a terrifying feeling, it's also extremely unsafe.

There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to wheelbase ratios. However, a typical estimate is that you'll need a tow vehicle with at least a 110" wheelbase to tow a 20' trailer. For every foot of trailer you add after that, add about 4" to your tow vehicle wheelbase.

For reference, my cousin's Jeep has a wheelbase of 114.8". Based on the chart above (which is backed up by our towing experts at etrailer.com), the Jeep can safely handle a trailer about 21' long. As I mentioned above, she was initially told that she could tow a 25' camper. It's possible that she could have found a trailer this size within the Jeep's tow capacity and payload. However, weight capacity alone fails to take into account the sheer size difference between the Jeep and a camper.

To safely pull a 25' trailer, she'd be much better off with a tow vehicle wheelbase of about 130" (which is getting into large SUV/truck territory).

If you're not sure what your wheelbase is (and let's face it, you've probably never had a reason to wonder about it before), you can either check that handy door jamb sticker or measure the distance between your front and rear tires (center to center).

Tow Vehicle Wheelbase vs Trailer Length Ratio

So, now you know what you need to look out for. If your max trailer weight, payload, and wheelbase all check out and leave you in the "Comfort Zone," then you should be good to go! Happy trailering.

About Amber S.

As a content writer for etrailer, I might spend my morning loading and unloading a bike on five different bike racks to figure out which is easiest to use. I might be in the parking lot, taking pictures of an impressive RV battery setup our techs came across in the shop and discussing the benefits of the setup with the owner. I might spend an afternoon in a manufacturer training classes for some hands-on experience with new products, and then sit down to assemble all this information into a coherent article.

At etrailer, one of our core values is that we are always learning, and I learn something new every day. I start each morning with the goal in mind of taking all of this information and figuring out the best way to answer the questions people ask us (and the ones they don’t know to ask yet), and helping people get the solutions they need to make their lives easier, safer, and more fun. I’m a DIYer at heart, so it brings me great joy to help a fellow DIYer find what they’re looking for, whether that’s a product, an answer, or a community.

Determining Trailer Tongue Weight

How to Back Up a Trailer

Image Credit: Big Truck, Big RV

Best 2020 Heavy Duty Trucks for Towing a 5th Wheel

Related Products

Shop Trailer Hitch Receivers

Shop Weight Distribution Hitches

Shop Brake Controllers

Written by: Amber S.

Updated: 11/18/21

Dave M.

3/19/2025

When referencing your trailer length chart based on tow vehicle wheelbase, is the tongue and bumper included in this measurement, or just the box length?

Jameson C.

3/19/2025

@DaveM Coupler to back of the box but including the bumper won't affect much.

Justin

2/15/2025

Hello, We have a 2024 GMC elevation. 2.7 liter, 4 Cylinder turbomax. 310 horsepower, 430 ft torque. Wheelbase 148 inch. 2 wheel drive. GVWR 6800 LBS, GCWR 14500 LBS, RGAWR 3800 LBS, CURB WEIGHT 4973 LBS, MAX PAYLOAD 1827 LBS. Trailer 9100 LBS. TOUNGE Weight 910 LBS. GAWR FRONT 3700, GAWR REAR 3800. Family aggregate weight 525 lbs. Trailer specs: 6100lbs dry weight 32ft length bumper to tounge 11.5 height Hitch weight 716 lbs Load capacity 2000 lbs 2 Axels We are assuming we will add 750 lbs at most for cargo into the trailer. And 300 lbs in the bed of truck. Is this towable?

Mazzieg

11/8/2024

Hello, we just bought a 2003 Outback by Lite Way. It’s 22’ with the rear slide in and towing state. It’s 26’ with the rear slide out and parked. *Max wt is 6000lbs *Max cargo wt is 1520 *Tongue Wt approx 500lbs *Wheel base approx 120-144 Pathfinder tow cap 6000lbs V6 eng. Dry weight is 4480 Tongue Wt 500 *Wheel Base approx 115”-120” *Cargo Hubby and me 495lbs Hitch? Not sure of the wt or how to get it. Other wt. 500lbs or less We won’t be carrying any propane or water while traveling. Is this doable? Should we get a higher wt capacity truck? Thanks so much. Love your company.

Kevin C.

11/8/2024

@Mazzieg You should absolutely get a higher capacity tow vehicle to tow your trailer with. SUV's typically struggle hauling a trailer and with your trailer being right at the maximum capacity of the vehicle you have no wiggle room for error. Could you technically do it if you kept the weight down? Yes, but you'll be running the engine and transmission hard, especially if you're going through any hilly terrain. Pathfinder's have coil springs for the rear suspension which can give you a very bouncy suspension while towing and will typically compress quite a bit more than a leaf spring suspension, giving you a ton of sag. You likely have a very uncomfortable ride quality and would be "white-knuckling" the steering wheel a majority of the drive so I recommend against it towing this trailer with your Pathfinder. If the trailer was a bit lighter, like a pop-up camper, this would be a safer option. A 1/2 ton truck or better would be the best option here to give you enough power to safely tow and stop the trailer while out on the road. Even with a higher capacity tow vehicle you can still experience sway and sag so once we know what vehicle you're going to switch to we can look at suspension components or a weight distribution hitch to make sure you towing experience is safe and comfortable.

Adrianna

10/8/2024

Hi, I read through this a few times and am still so confused. I have a 2025 Ram 1500, 3.6L V6 24V VVT eTorque Engine with an 8-Speed Automatic 850RE transmission. The GVWR is 6900. I want to tow a horse trailer. Can you help?

Jameson C.

10/8/2024

@Adrianna So the GVWR is not the towing capacity but I was able to look up your vehicle and it appears it can tow a trailer up to 8,100 lbs. If you are still confused you can contact a Ram dealer and if you have your VIN handy they can for sure verify that or not.

Shelby

2/12/2024

Hi, I read this article 100 times and not sure I understand so I have a 2021 Land Rover Defender 90 X-Dynamic S specs here - https://carbuzz.com/cars/land-rover/defender/2021-land-rover-defender-90-x-dynamic-s . So with that said I can tow a trailer that is about 18 ft but I am confused on what trailer weight I can safely pull.

Mike L.

2/13/2024

@Shelby Per the owner's manual, your Land Rover Defender can tow up to 7716 lbs when equipped with the 3.0L gas engine.

Davidj

11/18/2023

I have a 2022 ford F250 platinum 4x4 with the 7.3 gas engine. Trying to see if it’s enough truck to pull A 2021 Montana 295RL.GVWR IS 10000

Mike L.

11/20/2023

@Davidj I consulted the 2022 Ford Towing Guide (find it online). Your truck has plenty of capacity for towing a 2021 Montana 295RL 5th wheel.

Davidj

11/20/2023

@MikeL I found out the Montana is about 12700 loaded my tow capacity is 14700 is that enough margin?

Mike L.

11/20/2023

@Davidj I'd be concerned if you're planning on towing in hilly or mountainous areas. If not, you should be fine.

Joshua

3/11/2023

I have a Nissan Frontier pro4x equipped with everything regarding suspension and brakes with a Towing capacity of 6,700, I know this doesn't mean I can tow more, but RV Dealer said I can town a travel trailer with a dry weight of 5,500 is this true?

Mike L.

3/17/2023

The dry weight of a trailer is the weight of a trailer that's empty of water, propane and gear with empty gray and black tanks. Because the RV manufacturers frequently make additions and subtractions during the build process, you'll want to confirm that 5500 lb weight of yourself. I would also verify the truck's capacity, instead of going by anything an RV salesman tells you regarding capacity. You'll want to confirm that for yourself. Once loaded up, you'll be much closer to that towing capcity. If you'll be towing in hilly or mountainous areas, do yourself a favor and install a transmission cooler if you don't already have one. I can recommend one if you reply with the model year truck you have and tell me which engine it's equipped with...

Adam W.

1/1/2023

I have a 2012 f150. GVWR of 7200. With a 9600 lbs max tow rating. My GCWR is 15,500. 15,500-7200= 8300 lbs. 75% of that is 6225 lbs of towing. Dry weight of my truck is 5615 lbs. That puts my curb weight at 5900 lbs. The sticker on my truck says max payload 1299 lbs. My wife, 2 dogs and myself weigh 510 lbs. Gear 50 lbs. Weight distribution hitch 75 lbs. That means my max tongue weight is around 650 lbs. With being in the 10%-15% tongue weight. That means I can tow around 6500 lbs trailer?

Mike L.

3/24/2023

When the weight of the passengers and cargo in the truck is deducted from the payload rating, you're left with about 664 lbs available for tongue weight which would be cutting it pretty darn close for a 6500 lb trailer. If the 6500 lb figure you mentioned is the as-towed weight (including gear, house batteries, water, etc), if the tongue weight is any greater than 664 lbs, you're going to be over your payload. If you read the forums, you'll see that many folks simply ignore this. The decision is yours, but we can't go on record endorsing exceeding the vehicle manufacturer's listed capacities. A truck with a higher payload capacity or a lighter trailer would be the safe way to go here.

Andrew Q.

9/9/2022

I'm wanting to buy an Intech Horizon camp trailer. 3,400 lbs dry - 4,000 GVWR. Add 25% margin for comfort (mountain passes) and I should be looking at a tow vehicle that can pull 5,000 lbs. The 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x2 says it can tow 5,000 lbs OR 6,200 lbs with a weight distribution hitch. Is my math sound? I've watched videos on the install and operation of weight distributing hitches and would prefer NOT to use one if I didn't have to. They seem like a pain. Any thoughts?

David B.

9/12/2022

If you are going to be towing at your max capacity(I wouldn't tow at max for safety reasons) or within 20% of it. You will need a weight distribution(WD) hitch. Also looking at the tow vehicle I suggest using WD. You are good though 4k lbs will be in the safe zone if you use WD

Mitch M.

9/6/2022

Hi. I have a 2017 Ram 3500 (Laramie). - GVWR = 14,000 lb - GCWR = 27,300 lb - Max Loaded Trailer Weight, therefore = 13,300 lb However, Dodge reports the Max Trailer Weight @ 18,440 lb for my truck w/ Axel Ratio @ 3.73. Do the Trailer ratings even apply to a 5th wheel with GVWR of 16,800 lb? Trying to validate if my truck will be able to pull my new 5th wheel safely. Thank you for any suggestions!

David B.

9/7/2022

If you are unsure, always refer to your owner's manual or the stickers on the truck first. Take the lowest rating and if you are below that you're good, generally speaking. You need to focus on your truck being able to handle the pressure/weight of the 5th wheel in the bed and if it can pull the weight of the trailer. The 14k you are listing is the max your truck can weigh and the standard 2017 Ram 3500 is going to be in the 7k range so you are good to go. If you need help with a hitch let me know the specs of the 5th wheel and if your truck has any OEM prep packages and the length of the bed.

Helpful Links

faq-best-2017-trucks-for-towing.aspx

faq-what-is-fifth-wheel-camper.aspx

Brian R.

8/30/2022

I have a 2018 Chevy Tahoe with a GVWR of 7100. The trailer I am looking at has a GVWR of 7720 (dry weight is 5,802. It has a weight distribution hitch. I know I am close, but should be covered correct?

David B.

8/31/2022

Brian, what weight distribution system do you have? the 5800 lbs range is just about where I would like, 5680lbs is 80% of your GVWR and I would stop at 6035lbs max.

David B.

8/31/2022

Brian, what weight distribution system do you have? the 5800 lbs range is just about where I would like, 5680lbs is 80% of your GVWR and I would stop at 6035lbs max.

Ashley E.

8/6/2022

My GVWR is 6000lbs and I’m looking at TT that’s base weight is 4600lbs which I think is going to be cutting it close. Thoughts?

David B.

8/8/2022

What is the exact year/make/model of the travel trailer you are looking at Ashley? Also what is your tow vehicles y/m/m?

Ashley E.

8/8/2022

@DavidB TT is 2018 Forest River Rockwood Mini Lite with a GVW of 4600lbs and it has a weight discernment hitch. My tow vehicle is a 2022 Chevy Colorado with a tow package. The manual says max trailer weight is 7000 lbs. I’m guessing we can prob get away with it but would want to fill the water tanks when we arrive at our destination.

David B.

8/8/2022

As long as you keep it at or under 5,000lbs you will be ok. You want to keep your weight to 80% of your max towing capacity.

John P.

6/28/2022

Excellent set of stats and advice. This really helped me nail down what I can tow. The wheelbase numbers put the final touch on the length that I can pull. Question. I have a Chevy Silverado 1500 LT CC 4wd w/157" wheelbase, which means I'm one inch away from towing a 32ft according to your chart. The trailer I'm wanting is 32.3. Can I fudge that one inch and tow the 32.3 TT safetly? Thank you much.

David B.

6/29/2022

Well John, like stated in the article, there isn't a hard fast rule for this. It is a guide, you will have to be the final say. I would say though, if you are at all your other max capacities, not to push it. If you're maxed tongue, trailer and payload you will probably find some issues. If you have a lighter trailer that isn't pushing the max limits then you could probably get away with the few extra inches.

John P.

6/29/2022

@DavidB I appreciate your input. Being a newbie, I'm trying to to this correctly. I have the truck but not the trailer. At this point, its a 'what if' scenerio. Most of my numbers are approximate, but I've estimated on the high side of each of the weights. I'm 371lbs under my trucks max payload, 459lbs under on the GVWR of the trailer, 24% under the max tow weight of my truck and 1743lbs under GVCWR. I know you can't give me a solid yes or no, but since this is just a 'what if', how would you view those numbers along with the wheelbase question? Thank you!

David B.

6/29/2022

If you are "under weight" on everything I see no reason why you wouldn't be good. Just don't push your limits.

See All (4) Replies to John P. ∨

Show All (14) Replies

Hide Replies

Explore Expert Info

on Trailer Hitch

Videos

for Trailer Hitch

Help Articles

for Trailer Hitch

Expert Answers

for Trailer Hitch

A Closer Look at the Weigh Safe 180 Hitch 2-Ball Mount with Cerakote Finish

Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness Complete Installation - 2021 Volvo XC60

Installing the Redarc Tow-Pro Liberty Brake Controller on a 2017 Toyota Highlander

Setting Up Your etrailer Soft Tonneau Cover - 2017 Ford F-250 Super Duty

Review of Weigh Safe Trailer Hitch Ball Mount - Built In Scale 2 Stainless Steel Ball - WS98VR

Weigh Safe 180 Hitch 2-Ball Mount In-Depth Review

Reese Elite Series 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch Under-Bed Rail Kit Install - 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty

How to Set Up Your Air Lift WirelessAIR Compressor System for Air Helper Springs on a 2018 Ram 2500

All About the Curt Fusion Ball Mount for 2" Hitches

Curt 5th Wheel/Gooseneck Custom Wiring Harness Installation - 2020 GMC Sierra 2500

Review of Demco Gooseneck and Fifth Wheel Adapters - Adapts Truck - DM8550046

Checking Out the etrailer Universal Tow Bar Cover

Adapters for Towing a 5th Wheel Trailer with a Gooseneck Hitch

Anti-Rattle Devices

Determining Trailer Tongue Weight

5 Things to Know About Weight Distribution Hitches

2 Steps for Finding the Right Weight Distribution Hitch Size

How to Measure for Trailer Hitch Drop

Gooseneck vs Fifth-Wheel Trailers

5 Reasons Your Bike Rack Needs an Anti-Rattle Hitch Collar

Trailer Hitch Receiver Sizes

Best Vehicles to Flat Tow Behind an RV

Choosing the Right Suspension Kit for Your Truck and Trailer

Types of Trailer Hitches: How and Why to Use Each

If I Want to Switch from My Current Equal-i-zer Hitch to a Different System, What Should I Get?

Hello Tom, Thank you so much for the detailed information, especially having the Cat Scale weight so we know how your weight is distributed. I wish every customer was as thorough as you are. I really like the Equal-i-zer system that you have been…

view full answer...

What Type of Cable is MaxxFan Communication Cable MA59PR

Hey Mark, the MaxxFan communication cable part #MA59PR is an RJ45 data cable.

view full answer...

Does Ground Connection for Brake Controller Have to be Routed Directly to Vehicle Battery

When installing the Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller #ETBC7 it isn't necessary to connect the ground wire from the brake controller directly to the negative terminal on your vehicle battery - just find a sufficient mounting…

view full answer...

Correct Timbren Rear Suspension Enhancement System for a 2020 Ram 1500

The correct Timbren Rear Suspension Enhancement System for a 2020 Ram 1500 for everyday towing is part #TDR1500DQ. The Timbren Rear Suspension Enhancement System part #TDRTT1500 is designed for service applications such as using an in-bed camper or…

view full answer...

Comparing Timbrens TDRTT1500 and TDR1500DQ for a 2014 Ram 1500

The correct Timbren Rear Suspension Enhancement System for a 2014 Ram 1500 is part #TDR1500DQ and they will go a great job of getting rid of squat. The Timbren Rear Suspension Enhancement System part #TDRTT1500 is designed for service duty…

view full answer...

Towing Trailer with Higher GVWR than Tow Vehicle's Capacity

As long as the actual loaded weight of the trailer you plan on towing is less than the Ford Explorer's capacity then you are good to go. Since the trailer's GVWR (which refers to the most it can potentially weigh when loaded to its max) is…

view full answer...

Replacement Suspensions Components For A 1993 Bigfoot B-17 Travel Trailer

Hi Alex, The correct way to measure your leaf springs would be to lift the trailer by the frame and let the weight of the axle hang to take the pressure off of the spring and then measure across eye-to-eye. Following the curvature of the spring will…

view full answer...

The Timbren Rear Suspension Enhancement System #TDRTT1500 is rated for 7000 lbs and is designed for service vehicles which is why they stated heavy duty. They are designed for trucks with service bodies only. The #TDR1500DQ is rated for 8,600 lbs and…

view full answer...

What Is An OEM Prep Package And How Do I Know If I Have It

The OEM prep package consists of 4 "pucks" in the bed of the truck that will allow you to drop in puck style hitches for easy installation and removal, that gives you a completely clear bed when not in use. The B&W Companion OEM 5th…

view full answer...

Ways To Reduce Noise From Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution Hitch System

While the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System #EQ37100ET does make a lot of noise they do offer some products to help keep the noise down. First you want to use the Equal-i-zer High-Performance Lubricant #EQ91-00-4250 on the lubrication points…

view full answer...

Does Truck with 6-1/2 ft bed Have to Use Slider Hitch for Turning Clearance with Fifth Wheel Hitch

You will have to go with a sliding hitch to allow the trailer to make tight turns. For a trailer 8 feet wide the only bed length that's going to allow 90 degree turns without a slider is a stationary hitch. That being said you have two options.…

view full answer...

Determining How Much Pressure Should be Put in Air Lift LoadLIfter 5000 Air Springs

The Air Lift LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Air Helper Springs #AL88299 feature air springs that can be adjusted from 5 psi to 100 psi. There isn't a specific inflation level that is recommend for your 13,000 pound 5th Wheel Trailer because it will…

view full answer...

Departments

Towing

Sports and Recreation

Trailer Parts

Vehicle

Contact & Help

What our customers are saying:

"WOW! I am impressed! I called to place my order and real person answered, spoke perfect English, albeit a slight southern accent, and my order was sent within a day, shipped quickly and I had it a few days later. I saved over a hundred dollars over local and installed it my self. I cant imagine how that they could do any better. THANKS!"

Eric

Cedar Springs, MI