How much can I really tow? Towing capacity guide for travel trailers

Towing and towing capacity, a hot topic. Don't listen to the dealership lies before buying your next travel trailer. What can you actually safely and legally tow? Payload is one, if not, the most important factors, yet is misunderstood and often not even taken in consideration! Please watch this video to stop the spread of misinformation about what you can actually safely and legally tow. Towing capacity on vehicle is often used as a Marketing term, yes some vehicles, specifically half ton trucks have an insane number when it comes to the towing capacity, however is is often based on a long bed, single cab 2wd truck, not the most common crew cab 4x4 combination.
Link to the Google sheet used in the video, this is a towing guide calculator docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
In this video we determine the towing capacity of a 2020 Ford F150 and the towing capacity of a Jeep Cherokee using the same travel trailer, the Jayco 174BH.
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[@scottbiezad778]

This video is fantastic. I originally thought 16 minutes - and it was going to be a lot of unecessary dialogue. You a great job of just giving the information I needed. I'm unhappy with my tow vehicle's numbers, but this video is awesome. Thank you.

[@OntarioCamping]

Thanks, glad you got value out of it!

[@lizpsutka3276]

Thank you for making this video. I am new to towing and this has really helped in my understanding. I was able to find all the numbers I needed to complete the spreadsheet and it highlighted a similar situation as your Jeep for my vehicle and trailer. Good to know I can't put too much in my vehicle. Thanks again.

[@TheEmmauswalk]

Thank you so much. We had all sorts of towing issues and multiple visits to Cat Scales, but your spreadsheet saved us from a narrow escape from an accident. We are first-time RVers and dealerships who want money but are not interested in our lives.

[@TimSharpe-xp4pe]

Excellent video and thanks for the link to the spreadsheet! Will keep this on file!🙂

[@carloshonestopinions]

Where were you when I got started towing and RVing in 2021!? Your video is a wonderful refresher of all the terms I had to learn back when we tried to pair our Dodge Grand Caravan with our Wildwood FSX 177BH trailer - Not a happy combination. And yes the vendor touted the dry weight of the trailer to say our Dodge could tow it with its 3600 lbs towing capacity - Not true. Nor was the fact that the trailer’s brakes would work with the Dodge, since it did not have a brake controller; towing a mere 500 Kms chewed up much of the minivan’s new brake pads! Now we have a RAM 1500, and while it indicates that it can tow up to 12000 lbs, realty is that the maximum weight of a trailer we should ever tow is more like 6000 lbs (GVWR). Thanks for the great video!

[@OntarioCamping]

Thank you, towing capacity is such a misunderstood subject. The unfortunate case is that most vehicle and trailer dealers just want to push trailers and vehicles to make a buck, rather than educating the customers

[@jh748]

Great video and explanations; thanks. The details are always in the numbers; your carrying capacity is 1821 yet the max for this year and engine according to Ford is 3270. WOW !!

[@OntarioCamping]

Yes every truck has its own payload, depending on the options, can, box size, hearing etc.

[@JosePerez-nt7ey]

Excellent Information. Well done!

[@fredkeele6578]

Thanks for explaining everything clear enough.

[@pfinch5245]

Good video, I try and explain this sort-of info to people.

[@OntarioCamping]

Thank you!

[@WireEd1966]

Great video!! One thing to note that most people do not realize is that the fuel in your truck or suv is accounted for in the weight ratings and assumes a full tank. You do not have to add that weight to your payload number.

[@OntarioCamping]

Absolutely, thank you

[@ShawnPatterson402]

very nice review of your weights. I recommend that everyone towing a trailer should at some point go to a CAT scale and get your real loaded weights on each axle. Not only does this ensure that you are not overloading your steer, drive or trailer axles, but it allows you confirm how much weight your weight distribution is pushing to the front axle which is important for control. As always, safe travels.

[@OntarioCamping]

100% agree!

[@ervinslens]

Nice video, nicely elaborated.

[@OntarioCamping]

Thank you !

[@jaccole]

Excellent information. I would say take all your numbers and multiply by 75% to get the safe amount of cargo, tongue weight, tow ratings, etc. This is the margin of error and safety a person should stay within. When emergency maneuvers or emergency stopping has to take place you want to have room for safety. Manufacturers don’t come up with tow ratings with a 12’ high camper.

[@OntarioCamping]

Good advice!

[@jumpout92]

Great video!

[@OntarioCamping]

Thank you

[@terryarndt6761]

Great video..thank you

[@OntarioCamping]

Thank you

[@curtismuller490]

Good job.

[@OntarioCamping]

Thank You!

[@kingstonsean]

I have a 2021 F150. Ford has a website where you input your VIN. Ford will then give you a form to enter total passenger weight, accessory weight, and cargo weight. It will then tell you YOUR tow capacity.

[@Ricky-eo5ym]

Great video I see you have a weight distribution hitch which one are you using with your pick up? Thank you in advance.

[@kingstonsean]

I used your form to get my available payload for my F150 Powerboost and a 5000lbs GVWR trailer. Available payload: 29 lbs. :(

[@RannieCourt]

Awesome thank you :)

[@OntarioCamping]

You're welcome 😁

[@stever9103]

Great video. We just bought a new jayco pretty much the same trailer. Was just wondering how did that jeep Cherokee tow your trailer? I also will be towing with a Jeep Cherokee with a tow package. Did you have any troubles at all was it safe? I do have a weight forward hitch and sway bars. I was hoping to get through the summer before I buy a truck.

[@OntarioCamping]

We towed it for a year with the Cherokee before upgrading, it was ok in non hilly areas. Keep an eye on the transmission temp as the transmission is the weak point in the Jeep, make sure you keep the rpms around 2k.while towing, don't use the overdrive gears

[@Tondor50]

Good rule of thumb. Never exceed 80% of your vehicle's stated towing capacity.

[@Marc-AndreRicher]

Very helpful video!! Should we add the weight of full fuel tank and the hitch weight in the cargo?

[@Marc-AndreRicher]

Sorry I got the answer on the spreadsheet for the hitch weight. Tk's!

[@OntarioCamping]

Fuel is included in your vehicle weight

[@dl3217]

I like the video and spreadsheet, but I have a question. It seems like hitch weight counts against you twice. The hitch weight is part of the total trailer weight. So isn't it being counted twice in the GWCR calculation?

[@OntarioCamping]

For the trailer yes, however it gets deducted of your tow vehicles payload

[@Rbbuckler]

The most important number to focus on is GCWR for 2 very important reasons. As long as you don’t exceed that you will never be in jeopardy of getting a ticket for being over weight and you can rest assured your braking system will be operating within the factory certified limits. As far as payload of the tow vehicle is concerned with a properly setup weight distributing hitch the payload is not that critical. The limiting factors are the truck and trailer axle ratings. Between setup of the hitch and some minor tweaks to the suspension ( if required) on the tow vehicle you always get close to the GCWR. Most truck weight stations are setup to provide you with the weight on the axles so you can sure you aren’t exceeding any of the vehicles ratings.

[@michaelmcbride4643]

don't you think the weight of the tires should not be included in axle weight?

[@hotdoggy810]

Good video…question does my 2021 toyota tundra trd pro is capable enough to tow a 2022 jayco 184bs slx 7 thankyou

[@OntarioCamping]

That all depends on your payload, towing capacity there should be no issue, however payload may be a limiting factor. Check the door sticker and calculate the combined weight of the passengers, cargo and hitch weight, deduct this of your trucks payload to ensure. In the description, I linked a calculator you can use

[@jamram109]

So where does the trucks GVWR come into play as you illustrated in the door jamb earlier in the video?

[@OntarioCamping]

It's the curb weight + payload, in other words, how much weight can you put in the truck based on the factory (empty weight)

[@jamram109]

Thank you for the explanation! Very informative video!

[@jbyrne9073]

You point out that your axle ratio is 3.31 but that number doesn't appear on the truck in fact the axle number is 27 , so confused 😤

[@Sixpaksuperbee]

I have a 2019 Ram 1500 crew cab 4x4. I cant find the GCWR of my vehicle on the Dodge/Ram website. How do I determine that information in order to use the spreadsheet? Not just for this vehicle but for any other?

[@OntarioCamping]

Look for your models towing guide on Google, ie 2019 Ram towing guide www.ramtrucks.com/BodyBuilder/service/ViewSpecification?specificationId=961&fileName=2019_DT_Trailer%20Tow%20Master.pdf

[@michaelbowes5804]

Link to spreadsheet not working. I am logged in with a google account. Could you repost?

[@OntarioCamping]

Are you using a cell phone or computer? If you are using a mobile device, you will need Google sheets to fill out. Click on the edit (top right corner). If you are on a PC/laptop, it will just open in Google sheets editor

[@slocavky]

Link to the spreadsheet is not working....

[@OntarioCamping]

That is very odd, I just tried it and it worked for me, it asks to create a copy, make sure you are logged in with a Google account

[@kingstonsean]

After going through this a few times, something doesn't look right. When you input your known trailer GVWR it reduces the towing capacity (cell B20) by the same amount - but you already know the towing capacity. So B20 isn't your towing capacity; it's your margin. I think your worksheet should only try do do one thing at a time; either calculate the available payload using a known trailer weight, or calculate the towing capacity using your known curb weight and known payload.

[@kingstonsean]

When inputting a known hitch weight your worksheet correctly calculates the available payload.

[@OntarioCamping]

I'll review, thank you

[@kingstonsean]

But what if I'm shopping for a trailer and I only know my truck's numbers and my personal payload numbers? I would need a worksheet dedicated to that task.

[@Carrot8771]

I bought a 2022 Chevy Colorado and it can tow 7700 lbs. It has the towing package and 4x4 off-road package. Some of these travel trailers I can tow by specs are 31' long lol. Sometimes numbers don't equal safe.

[@OntarioCamping]

They always advertise towing capacity, when the reality often dictates that payload in most situations is the limiting factor

[@Carrot8771]

@@OntarioCamping 2181 lbs for my truck. Plenty for anything really. With the factory hitch on the towing package it's rated 770 lb tongue rate.

[@OntarioCamping]

Oh wow, that is a decent payload capacity

[@Carrot8771]

@@OntarioCamping Ya the midsize trucks have came a long way. I just still don't trust it to tow a 31' travel trailer even though every spec says that it can weight wise.

[@mikiegonzalez3068]

​@@Carrot8771 how would you recommend a 2022 gmc sierra elevation with offroad package and trailer package. Tongue weight rate is 1140 and conventional twr is 9100. My wife wants to get a 7700lb dry trailer and I'm not knowledgeable enough to really look into the trailer that would be perfect for the truck

[@Ricky-eo5ym]

The reason I am asking is I have a similar set up and not sure if I should use a weight distribution hitch . I am looking at a Reese 49911 with 600lbs of tongue weight and 6000lbs of gross trailer weight.

[@OntarioCamping]

I do have a WDH, however I don't use the bars anymore. Since the truck is heavier than the trailer, I have no sway issues or find it to make a big difference with the suspension drop

[@Ricky-eo5ym]

@@OntarioCamping Thanks, I just purchased a travel trailer with gvw of 4500 lbs and 450 lbs tongue weight. It felt pretty good towing home about 300 miles. Maybe one inch of squat . Just wasn't sure if a hitch with sway control would make a difference. I have a Ram 1500 with air bags which I can eliminate the squat, but they don't transfer any weight. I appreciate your input. I didn't want to purchase one if it's not going to make a difference. I think you answered my question.

[@OntarioCamping]

My experience and I'm sure people will disagree, since I never really had any sway, there is really no benefit of using the bars. If you have noticeable sway, there may be a benefit. Using the wdh on the Jeep was a must and made a huge difference, the f150, drove with and without and the effort to put them on was greater than the benefit. I still carry them with me in case I end up in a windstorm, but the reality is that I haven't used them in years

[@Ricky-eo5ym]

Right on ya I think I am going to pass on one. It's hard because with this size trailer you're kind of right on the fence. It's nice to have talked to someone who has tried it both ways. Take care, again I appreciate the input.

[@sylvainbergeron932]

What if my result looks like this : Results Towing Capacity 1750 Payload 28 GWCR 578 Would you say its safe to go ahead and pull the trailers? Or would that be pushing the truck to its limit? Thank you,

[@OntarioCamping]

I think you are missing some numbers 😄

[@sylvainbergeron932]

@@OntarioCamping What do you mean? I just copied the results number. I did put in all numbers in order to get my results

[@sylvainbergeron932]

Are saying that these results don’t make sense or what. Now I’m confused 🫤. 😆

[@OntarioCamping]

@@sylvainbergeron932 gotcha, I thought those were the input numbers, you really don't have a lot of room when it comes to payload. The truck will just be fine, it's the legal stuff, if something happens and they put you on a scale, you have to worry about, maybe try and put less weight in the tow vehicle

[@sylvainbergeron932]

@@OntarioCamping ok I’ll keep playing with the numbers I used a high number of 400 lbs for gear in the truck bed

[@tommccormick5140]

You forgot to add your 375 pound hitch weight to your payload total!

[@sanderv2716]

The calculation sheet deducts the hitch weight as well, but yes you are 100% correct in saying that this will be deducted from the towing vehicles payload

[@joshuawilford9675]

He’s running a WDH, isn’t that another 100lbs deducted from the payload capacity?