I know this has been discussed many times. Looking to upgrade our TT and a simple way to determine max TT we can buy without all complications.Our Truck has a max tow capacity of 9400lbs with current set up (2010 Chevy Silverado 6.2 with 3.42ax. So I am thinking that I should be looking for a trailer with a dry weight 2000lbs less as my max to account for the weight of everything (including people) we put into the truck and the TT combined. So if 9400 is my max, then I should not buy a TT that weighs more that 7400 lbs UVW.Would that be a simplistic way to determine our max?Note: The TT I really like is 7900LB UVW and I think that is just at least 500lbs over the max we can consider.How much does all the extra stuff (food/bottled water, beer, clothing, chairs, linens, etc.) generally add for a weekend trip?

You actually have to weigh your truck and subtract that weight from the gross combined weight rating to find the real tow rating, then go from there. Published "tow ratings" are often for stripped dry vehicles.Other than that, your plan sounds good to me.

if you're looking to upgrade, meaning you have a current TT, you should be able to get a pretty good idea of how much all the extra stuff weighs for you. i think there are too many variables to get a simple answer. DW and I only have about 400lbs of stuff, depending on how long the trip is.important thing to consider is max payload of the truck, and consider this when you think about gear, people, tongue weight, hitch weight. i've read a lot on these forums of people hitting that max payload number before any other limit (usually)

The right way to determine is not assume or guess.My truck has a 7500 lbs towing capacity, but as with any truck im sure it can pull 10000 plus lbs.But its the payload what is always the limiting factor.Take the truck to a cat scale and get individual axle weights. Then subtract those #'s from your door sticker axle weights. This will tell you exactly what you can tow in regards to tongue weight.Weigh with full fuel tank and all people and cargo you will camp with.You will be surprised of the findings.Example. My truck with me and full tank I have 1420lbs payload left. I bought a light 4700lb camper.The TW started at 585. Just with extra battery, pots pans, plates, tools ,chairs etc etc I am at 740lbs TW.The camper is now 5300 lbs just with basic stuff.Thats 600 lbs. And I travel light.Put my wife and two boys in the truck, 4 milk crates of jackpads, water sewer hoses, maybe a generator, and solar panel where do you think I am at?

As has been mentioned, there is "Towing" and there is "Safe and enjoyable" Towing. Exceed the payload of your tow vehicle by very much and you will be back on here asking about tires, expensive hitches, and suspension upgrades. You will learn what "Sway" and "White knuckle driving" means. Weigh the tow vehicle ready to tow and subtract from the GVWR to get recommended payload number. Calculate tongue weight conservatively and see where you stand. Better yet, get actual weights.

Weigh the truck loaded ready to travel. Add 100 pounds for hitch. Look up the trucks GCWR from GM. Subtract B from A. That is the max towing capacity per GM compliance engineers certified to the feds. If you adhere to the 80% rule then 80% of the left over weight number is the GVWR of a trailer you should be looking for.

Easy way to determine how much Travel Trailer I can buy?

26 Replies

elsique
Explorer
Aug 07, 2017
Sorry to offend Walaby. Yes, I have been a member since 2005 but I don't buy a new travel trailer often. I have not been actively keeping up with the forum over the last few years but have always gotten great advice and feedback from others on this forum in the past. We need to stay around 6000 lbs. Just needed a little refresher on the subject as I work to set realistic expectations for myself.
Thanks to everyone for the feedback. We can close this topic now.
time2roll
Nomad
Aug 07, 2017
My simple solution... Keep the trailer GVWR within the tow rating.
Forget UVW or dry weight.
Passin_Thru
Explorer
Aug 07, 2017
How much money you got? Fold it in half and put it back in your pocket.
Buy an old Airstream. You can fly witha 1/2 ton.
Walaby
Explorer II
Aug 07, 2017
Im sorry, but you currently own a TT, you've been a forum member for 12 years.. you have undoubtedly seen HUNDREDS, maybe THOUSANDS of threads on how to determine how much TT you can tow with a truck. Do you mean to tell me, after all that experience and knowledge you've gained over the past decade plus that you can't easily figure it out?

Are you really unclear about how much stuff you might carry and how that might weigh? Again, according to your profile, you've been a member since 2005 and you have a trailer already, so surely you have been on a trip or two since 2005?

Worse case - take 13% of TT GVWR and if that figure, along with the total weight of your cargo and passengers fits within your payload rating, it's a likely candidate for further investigation. If not, then move on.

Sorry.. just being blunt about it.

Mike
ependydad
Explorer
Aug 07, 2017
Agreed on weighing. You'll find that long before tow capacity, you hit other ratings (GVWR typically).

See if this helps:
Learn To RV: What can I tow?

And:
TowingPlanner: What can my truck tow?
drsteve
Explorer
Aug 05, 2017
TomG2 wrote:
I am not one who asks how big and heavy a trailer I can tow, but what is the smallest lightest unit that will let me enjoy RVing to the maximum.

X2.
TomG2
Explorer
Aug 05, 2017
"Easy way to determine how much Travel Trailer I can buy?"

The "Easy" way is to let a bunch of Internet experts tell you. The guesses will vary from 4,000 pounds to 8,000 pounds. I just got rid of a F-150 that was "rated" to tow 7,600 pounds because it was a pain to tow over 3,000 pounds. Why? Because the transmission would not allow me to lock out the top two overdrive gears in hilly traveling. Up the hills in 3rd, upshift to 6th on the downhill, and back down to 3rd on the next incline. Over and over. New truck climbs in fourth and stays there up and down hill. Much better for me. Might not bother other people, but that is my point about taking the easy way out.

I am not one who asks how big and heavy a trailer I can tow, but what is the smallest lightest unit that will let me enjoy RVing to the maximum.

(I know that Ford makes a transmission that gives one more control and that is what I have now)
elsique
Explorer
Aug 04, 2017
Thank you for all the feedback!
Huntindog
Explorer
Aug 04, 2017
So how many answers do you have that are an actual simple way to tell how much you can tow?

I will tell you, but first I will tell you some other stuff.

The Tow rating is a fictional # that few if any are really able to achieve. Especially for 1/2 tons. It is there simply for advertising.

The heavier you want to go, the more important it is to do your homework. IOW, there is no simple easy way to get close to, but not over your limit.

If you push it without doing the homework, you risk needing to buy a bigger truck for your new too heavy TT... Lots of people get new trucks this way.

So now for my "simple' answer: Just about any 1/2 ton can tow a TT that has a GVWR of 7000# or less.

About now you are thinking that is too low... Right?

Well you wanted simple and easy. That is it.

If that is answer is not to your liking... Then do your home work.
westend
Explorer
Aug 04, 2017
Tow Vehicle - 2010 Chevy Silverado 1500 4x4 6.2L Engine and 3.42 axle with Tow pkg. GVWR 7000lb GAWR Frt 3950LB, GAWR RR 3950LB (also have Wt D Hitch & Equalizer Anti sway)May have to look around for any other numbers on truck

Look on the driver's side door jamb for the cargo loading sticker. That number is your available payload. Should read, "Cargo and passengers not to exceed xxx lbs".