Best Tow Vehicle

[kingspeak]

I am in process of purchasing a new 29'-8" travel trailer. Seller stated multiple times this could be adequately and safely towed with a 1/2 ton truck. I am not sure and seek advice. The GVWR of trailer is 8746 lbs. Max towing for F-150 3.5L EcoBoost V6 is 13,500 lbs. and for Sierra XLT 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 is 13,100 lbs. Will either of these trucks be adequate after being equipped with appropriate WD hitch? I appreciate any thoughts.

 

[Knobs1]

I happily tow my 30' travel trailer (33.5' ball to rear bumper) with my '21 Silverado 1500 RST, 6.2L, equipped with Chevy's "max tow package" with a Husky Centerline WDH with 1200# bars. My TT's GVWR is 7605#.

However, I wouldn't want to go any bigger with the TT without a 2500 or 3500 truck. The issue is not tow rating of the truck (a mostly advertising hype number anyway), but how large a sail I am towing behind the truck. Very windy conditions can get exciting with my rig, but I've never felt it nearing anything approaching out of control. But, then, I rarely exceed 60-63 mph, either (and slower in windy conditions or on secondary roads).

I've practiced using the manual trailer brake controls without the truck brakes as well, in case trailer sway does seem to be going sideways (so to speak).

JMO. (I expect most on this forum will be more conservative than I am in matching truck to trailer, tho.)

BTW, as to weight ratings, the one to really pay attention to on the truck is max payload rating from the sticker on the door pillar (not online or brochure numbers). Payload will include anything loading the truck other than the driver and a tank of gas.

 

[Bob K4TAX]

I would look carefully at the Cargo Weight rating of the truck. The tongue weight of the trailer will be about 1000 lbs. Using the Cargo Weight rating of the truck, subtract the tongue weight of the trailer. Do you have enough left for you, passenger, camping equipment and "stuff" loaded into the truck? Likely not.

As to the trailer weight, be sure you are using Gross Vehicle Weight rating and not the empty weight. Is the 29' 8" the total length of the trailer, hitch to bumper or inside cabin measurement? Our trailer is 25' inside cabin but the overall length is about 30 ft. We tow carefully with a Chev Silverado 1500 Crew cab, LTZ with factory tow package. We use a carefully adjusted WDH. Candidly, the trailer and truck handle quite well, but it is about all the truck wants to handle. We tow comfortably and safely, but very carefully. More truck would be better.

Bob

 

[Knobs1]

BTW, never take the seller's word for anything, even if (or especially if) it is a dealer.

 

[rvlifer]

Is it a 5th wheel rv?

That is a lot of weight for a v6. You will need an appropriate brake controller so if it is built into the truck check the specs. My rv has hydraulic disc brakes so my brake controller needs to support that.

emergency stopping is the most important thing to consider imo so the bigger the tow vehicle in relation to the rv the better. It is a lot less fatiguing especially when you get older the bigger you go and you put a lot less wear and tear on the tow vehicle.

I used to tow with a nissan pathfinder right at the limit of its towing capacity. After a few years the pathfinder fell apart. The rv was 6k gvw. I replaced it with an f350 with a tow rating of 12k and it was night and day difference in how easy it was to tow and how fatigued i was after driving all day

 

[kingspeak]

I happily tow my 30' travel trailer (33.5' ball to rear bumper) with my '21 Silverado 1500 RST, 6.2L, equipped with Chevy's "max tow package" with a Husky Centerline WDH with 1200# bars. My TT's GVWR is 7605#.

However, I wouldn't want to go any bigger with the TT without a 2500 or 3500 truck. The issue is not tow rating of the truck (a mostly advertising hype number anyway), but how large a sail I am towing behind the truck. Very windy conditions can get exciting with my rig, but I've never felt it nearing anything approaching out of control. But, then, I rarely exceed 60-63 mph, either (and slower in windy conditions or on secondary roads).

I've practiced using the manual trailer brake controls without the truck brakes as well, in case trailer sway does seem to be going sideways (so to speak).

JMO. (I expect most on this forum will be more conservative than I am in matching truck to trailer, tho.)

BTW, as to weight ratings, the one to really pay attention to on the truck is max payload rating from the sticker on the door pillar (not online or brochure numbers). Payload will include anything loading the truck other than the driver and a tank of gas.

That is a good point re: windage and highway speed. And I'll check the sticker. Thanks.

 

[Knobs1]

That is a good point re: windage and highway speed. And I'll check the sticker. Thanks.

The manufacturers' tow ratings, IMO, are not based on towing an RV, but based on towing irregularly-shaped work loads. IOW, plenty of open spaces to allow wind to pass through. (Again, my opinion, not to be taken as absolute fact.)

 

[garyb1st]

Unless you know this will be the only trailer you ever own and will never go larger in weight and length, consider a larger truck. An F250 or even F350 if the price is in your range.

After buying an F250 CC, Long Bed diesel we found it was just not enough truck for some of the larger trailers we looked at. At the time the price difference for the F350 was minimal. I bought the F250 thinking it would be a better ride. It was about as smooth as a bucking bronco. This was in 2005 so likely many of today's trucks are much better riding. But I'd buy as much truck as you can afford. You won't regret it.

 

[kingspeak]

Is it a 5th wheel rv?

That is a lot of weight for a v6. You will need an appropriate brake controller so if it is built into the truck check the specs. My rv has hydraulic disc brakes so my brake controller needs to support that.

emergency stopping is the most important thing to consider imo so the bigger the tow vehicle in relation to the rv the better. It is a lot less fatiguing especially when you get older the bigger you go and you put a lot less wear and tear on the tow vehicle.

I used to tow with a nissan pathfinder right at the limit of its towing capacity. After a few years the pathfinder fell apart. The rv was 6k gvw. I replaced it with an f350 with a tow rating of 12k and it was night and day difference in how easy it was to tow and how fatigued i was after driving all day

This is for a tow trailer, not 5th wheel. Trailer brakes are most likely electric but I will confirm. Thanks

 

[Knobs1]

...
emergency stopping is the most important thing to consider imo so the bigger the tow vehicle in relation to the rv the better. It is a lot less fatiguing especially when you get older the bigger you go and you put a lot less wear and tear on the tow vehicle.
...

Yes, emergency stopping is also why I drive at a conservative speed.

 

[Knobs1]

Unless you know this will be the only trailer you ever own and will never go larger in weight and length, consider a larger truck. An F250 or even F350 if the price is in your range.

After buying an F250 CC, Long Bed diesel we found it was just not enough truck for some of the larger trailers we looked at. At the time the price difference for the F350 was minimal. I bought the F250 thinking it would be a better ride. It was about as smooth as a bucking bronco. This was in 2005 so likely many of today's trucks are much better riding. But I'd buy as much truck as you can afford. You won't regret it.

I went in the opposite direction in buying a TT that would be good to go with the truck, since I had other considerations for selecting the truck, including garage space, fuel economy when not towing, ride comfort, and, of course, price.

We're a retired couple, so our next RV will most likely be smaller.

 

[SpencerPJ]

I have a 2020 F150 maxtow, 5.5 bed. I would NOT tow that trailer. Maybe with a longer 6.5 bed (only because I mostly camp in state and feel pretty seasoned towing), but these trucks (at least the F150s) are simply too light and get scooted around with the wind. Max I would do is: 25' box, and maybe 7k gross. I am on many forums and although people do as you are considering, a few years later, and a whole bunch of stress, they always move to a 3/4 ton. Do you know how to tell a RV salesperson is lying? His lips are moving. If this is your first towing adventure, I 'highly' encourage you to reconsider the size of trailer if 1/2 ton is desired. Then, you will want to be 'very' informed of what 1/2 ton to consider. Good Luck, and a 3/4 ton would pull that trailer nicely but still be aware of payload.

 

[joerone]

Don't beleive thos Tow capacities from the manufacturers, once you add passengers and payload to the truck, it greatly reduces towing capacity. Check these out:

Ford has an online tow calculator for the F Series trucks that utilizes your Vin # so it specific to your truck. After entering the vin, you enter cargo, passenger and hitch weights, whether you have a conventional, 5th wheel or goose neck hitch and it tells you what you have left to tow.


https://www.ford.com/support/towing-calculator

If it's not a Ford:

Keep Your Daydream has a You Tube channel and he does a great informational video on all aspects of towing GVWR, GAWR etc. They also include a link to a downloadable spreadsheet where you put in your truck and RV info as well as passenger/payload weights and it will calculate your tow capacity

Understanding GVWR & Payload - Keep Your Daydream

 

[CharlesinGA]

Tow capacities are not the issue here, its the truck's payload and rear axle gross weight.

If you hitch the trailer to the truck and it is so loaded that it will only carry the driver, its useless.

I bought a old RAM 2500 diesel knowing I did not want a half ton or a gasser and then bought a trailer that suited my needs. I don't believe in huge rigs, don't need one, and the 7500 lb gross trailer is well suited to the "3/4 ton" truck I have. I love the diesel and camping is a hobby for me, and I won't spend large amounts of money on a hobby, so new or nearly new truck or trailer is out of the question.

Charles

 

[Dusty Traveler]

Best 2025 Vehicle TOWING List GUIDE for towing behind an RV:
Best Vehicles for "FLAT" Towing Behind an RV. (Click on RED to Open)

HIt's great to explore towing with your RV! Just remember, not all RVs can tow every vehicle. Be sure to check your RV's towing limits, and keep in mind that flat towing means all four wheels stay on the road. Happy adventures!

 

[Laura & Charles]

Best 2025 Vehicle TOWING List GUIDE for towing behind an RV:
Best Vehicles for "FLAT" Towing Behind an RV. (Click on RED to Open)

HIt's great to explore towing with your RV! Just remember, not all RVs can tow every vehicle. Be sure to check your RV's towing limits, and keep in mind that flat towing means all four wheels stay on the road. Happy adventures!

That’s a handy link for somebody looking for a vehicle to tow behind a motorized RV. But this guy is looking for a vehicle to pull a travel trailer.

 

[Dusty Traveler]

That’s a handy link for somebody looking for a vehicle to to behind a motorized RV. But this guy is looking for a vehicle to pull a travel trailer.

I hope this will be a helpful BEST 2024 to 2025 towing vehicle for your RV.
Maximum Towing Capacity for Every Truck

 

[Onyrlef]

I think the OP is more interested in real world towing characteristics than the towing capacity on paper. The towing capacity of my 6 cyl. Nissan Frontier is 6,500 lbs. on paper, but its really ~4k, trust me.

 

[kingspeak]

All of the points made are very appreciated. My preference is to use a 1/2 ton truck for a variety of reasons, so stepping down in TT size sounds like the optimum way to go as long as we find the features that meet our needs. The search continues. Thanks.

 

[Laura & Charles]

I’ve heard, “Too much truck is almost enough”.