Tow Vehicle Choice - New Member
Hi, My name's Mike, and I am planning on getting back into RVing. I was big into it 30+ years ago, when I had just a pickup with the camper on the back. Things have changed ALOT since then. Im st...
Forum Discussion
Forget about max towing capacity numbers. Most often, you will run out of payload (exceed GVWR), before you reach that trailer weight and GCWR.
Average camping load (dishes, pots and pans, bedding, clothes, camp chairs, BBQ, groceris, water, etc) in 800 to 1000 lbs. If you're looking at 4500 lbs dry weight, the trailer will be close to 5500 lbs, when loaded for camping.
Average tongue weight is 12 - 13 percent of loaded trailer weight. A trailer weighing 5500 lbs, would have tongue weight around 700 lbs. A weight distributing hitch would be another 80 - 100 lbs.
You would need a truck that has sufficient payload to carry you, your expected passengers, any cargo you plan to put in the truck bed, the trailer tongue weight (all combined), and possibly have room for an unexpected passenger or cargo. You don't want to be maxed out on payload.
Average camping load (dishes, pots and pans, bedding, clothes, camp chairs, BBQ, groceris, water, etc) in 800 to 1000 lbs. If you're looking at 4500 lbs dry weight, the trailer will be close to 5500 lbs, when loaded for camping.
Average tongue weight is 12 - 13 percent of loaded trailer weight. A trailer weighing 5500 lbs, would have tongue weight around 700 lbs. A weight distributing hitch would be another 80 - 100 lbs.
You would need a truck that has sufficient payload to carry you, your expected passengers, any cargo you plan to put in the truck bed, the trailer tongue weight (all combined), and possibly have room for an unexpected passenger or cargo. You don't want to be maxed out on payload.
