RV Tow Guide

Find an RV that works with your tow vehicle.

Use our interactive tow guide to explore towing information for your vehicle and compare it with the campers and travel trailers you are considering.

Use the Tow Guide → Ask Our RV Team
Vehicle Tow Ratings Trailer Weight Guidance Roseville RV Experts
Start with the right information

Towing is about more than one number.

Your vehicle’s advertised maximum tow rating is only one part of determining whether a trailer is an appropriate match. Payload, passengers, cargo, hitch weight, installed equipment and the exact vehicle configuration can all affect real-world towing capacity.

Use the tow guide as a starting point, then confirm all ratings and limits with your vehicle manufacturer, owner’s manual and equipment labels before purchasing or towing an RV.

Interactive towing tool

Look up your vehicle’s towing information.

Select your vehicle details below to view available towing information and begin comparing RV options.

Vehicle Tow Guide

Choose the year, make, model and configuration of your vehicle. Results are intended to help you begin your research before confirming the exact ratings for your vehicle.

Use your exact vehicle details Engine, drivetrain, trim and installed towing equipment can significantly affect the final towing rating.

Tow Rating Guide

  • Understanding your vehicle’s tow rating capacity is critical to choosing the right RV for you and your family.
  • Towing your next RV safely down the road will depend on having the right tow vehicle and RV combination.
Find My Vehicle's Towing Capacity

Attention: Your vehicle's max towing capacity includes passenger weight, added accessories, any current liquids in tanks, and any cargo you've added such as food, clothes, chairs, grills, games, tools, etc.. For purposes of Find an RV I can Tow, we've allowed 1000 lbs for RVs over 8000 lbs, 750 lbs for RVs under 8000 lbs, and 500 lbs for RVs under 5000 lbs for average Cargo Weight. 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 your specific vehicle is not listed, please contact us for assistance.

Terms & Definitions

  • 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.

Need help interpreting your results? Our team can help you compare RV specifications and identify the information you should confirm for your vehicle.
Ask Our RV Team
Important towing factors

Know the numbers that affect your setup.

Review more than the maximum tow rating when comparing a tow vehicle and RV.

Tow vehicle

Maximum Tow Rating

The manufacturer’s stated towing limit for a specific vehicle configuration, engine, drivetrain and equipment package.

Capacity

Payload Rating

The allowable weight of passengers, cargo, hitch weight and other items carried by the tow vehicle.

Trailer

GVWR & Loaded Weight

The trailer’s maximum allowable loaded weight and its estimated weight after adding water, propane, batteries, equipment and personal cargo.

Connection

Tongue or Hitch Weight

The downward force placed on the tow vehicle’s hitch, which also counts against available payload capacity.

Build a complete towing picture Vehicle ratings, trailer specifications and real-world loading all matter.
Before choosing an RV

Confirm your full towing setup.

Gather the following information before deciding that a vehicle and trailer are an appropriate match.

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Exact vehicle configuration Confirm model year, trim, engine, drivetrain, axle ratio and factory towing package.
✓
Door-jamb payload label Use the payload figure listed on the specific vehicle, not only a general online specification.
✓
Estimated loaded trailer weight Include water, propane, batteries, dealer-installed equipment, food, camping gear and personal cargo.
✓
Hitch and brake requirements Confirm hitch ratings, brake-controller needs, weight-distribution requirements and all required safety equipment.
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Important towing and safety notice

Tow-guide results, website specifications and dealership information are provided for general comparison purposes only. They are not a substitute for the vehicle manufacturer’s ratings, instructions or safety requirements.

Actual towing capacity can vary based on vehicle configuration, installed equipment, passengers, cargo, hitch weight, modifications, road conditions and other factors. Never exceed any manufacturer rating, including payload, GVWR, GCWR, axle ratings, hitch ratings or tire ratings.

Final responsibility for confirming a safe and compliant towing setup remains with the vehicle and trailer owner.

Towing questions

Frequently asked questions.

Use these answers as a starting point when comparing your vehicle with an RV.

Is the maximum tow rating the only number I need?
No. Payload, hitch weight, axle ratings, combined weight, passengers, cargo and the trailer’s actual loaded weight can all affect whether a setup stays within its limits.
Should I compare dry weight or GVWR?
Dry weight does not include all fluids, cargo, accessories or personal items. GVWR provides the trailer’s maximum allowable loaded weight, but you should estimate your actual loaded weight and confirm every applicable rating.
Does trailer tongue weight count against payload?
Yes. Tongue or hitch weight generally adds to the load carried by the tow vehicle and must be considered along with passengers, cargo, accessories and other equipment.
Why can two similar vehicles have different tow ratings?
Ratings can vary by engine, drivetrain, axle ratio, wheel base, cab style, trim, towing package and other factory equipment. Confirm the specifications for the exact vehicle rather than relying on a similar model.
Can Unique Campers RV help me compare vehicles and RVs?
The team can help you review RV specifications and discuss the information you should confirm for your vehicle. Final towing approval and safety verification should come from the vehicle manufacturer and qualified towing professionals.

Ready to find an RV that fits your adventures?

Browse available inventory or contact the Unique Campers RV team in Roseville for help comparing RV specifications.

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