How Much Towing Capacity is Considered Adequate

Updated 08/07/2018 | Published 08/06/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class IV - 2"

(296)

$189.92

Derale Series 8000 Plate-Fin Transmission Cooler Kit w/Barb Inlets - Class III - Efficient

(869)

$91.94

Question:

I am interested in purchasing a 2014 Ford F-150 with a 3.5 engine. My goal is to tow a camper not more than 22’ long. The truck is rated to tow 9000 lbs. and a camper with contents that size is actually much less. A friend suggested that it would be better to get a 3/4 ton truck if I wanted to travel longer distances. I will be using the truck as a primary vehicle so don’t really want something bigger. Thoughts?

asked by: Susan

Expert Reply:

Travel trailers of any given length - such as a 22-footer - can vary considerably in both their dry (unloaded) weight and in their gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) which is their maximum fully-loaded weight capacity. Newer trailers may use lightweight composite materials in their construction while older trailers made from more traditional materials can tend to weigh more.

Either way you want to use a combination of tow vehicle and trailer such that your vehicle will not be stressed, nor operated right at its limits. Safety margin is a wonderful thing, whether it is in the tow vehicle capacity as compared to the trailer's weight or in your trailer tire's load range rating versus the actual amount of weight each wheel/tire has to handle. A truck rated to tow 9000-lbs that is actually towing only 4000 to 5000-lbs should be just fine.

You can still take away some of the stresses from towing by adding supplementary coolers to the tow vehicle. Transmission coolers are usually the first priority since your transmission "sees" the trailer load whether you are accelerating uphill or descending a downhill grade. The engine itself only cares about the trailer when it has to pull its weight. Installing a supplementary trans cooler like the Derale # D13503 won't add towing capacity but it will reduce thermal stress and is a worthwhile addition to any vehicle that is towing considerable trailer weight.

expert reply by: Adam R