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

I agree with Tom. "Maxing" everything is not a good idea. Every truck, machine, weapon etc. has a "max" rate but the most important number is the sustained rate.

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.

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.

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?

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)

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.