Tow Rating

Understanding your vehicle’s towing 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. It ensures you have a safe and comfortable journey. Contact us for Tow ratings of your new RV!

Dry Weight/Shipped Weight: This is the weight of the RV Only. It's a useful starting point, but it's rarely the weight you'll be towing. Don't make the mistake of thinking this is what your tow vehicle needs to handle.
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW): This is the real-world weight of your RV when it's loaded and ready to go. It's what your tow vehicle has to pull. This is a dynamic number that changes as you add or remove cargo. You can weigh your RV at a truck stop or weigh station to determine your actual GVW.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): This is the maximum permissible weight of the RV. It's a fixed number set by the manufacturer. You should never exceed the GVWR. It's a critical safety limit.
Cargo Weight: This is everything you add to the dry weight to get to the GVW. It's easy to underestimate this, so be realistic about how much stuff you bring. Water, propane, food, clothing, camping gear—it all adds up!
Tongue/Hitch Weight: This is the downward force the trailer tongue exerts on the hitch of your tow vehicle. It's a critical factor for stability. Too little tongue weight can cause trailer sway, while too much can overload the rear of your tow vehicle. It's usually around 10-15% of the trailer's GVW.
Pin Weight: Similar to tongue weight, but for fifth-wheel trailers. It's the weight the kingpin puts on the truck's bed. It's typically higher than tongue weight, around 15-25% of the fifth wheel's GVW.
Payload Capacity: This is the maximum weight your truck can carry in its cab and bed. It's a crucial number for fifth-wheel towing because the pin weight of the fifth wheel counts against your truck's payload. You'll find this on a sticker inside your driver's side door. Do not confuse payload with towing capacity. They are different.
Max Towing Capacity: This is the maximum weight your tow vehicle can safely pull. It's a complex calculation that takes into account many factors. This number assumes ideal conditions. Factors like hills, altitude, and temperature can reduce your actual towing capacity. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the most accurate information.