Tow RatingGuide
- Understanding your vehicle’s tow rating 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.
How much can my vehicle tow?
Look up your vehicle below to see its published max towing capacity, then leave room for passengers, cargo, water and gear. Treat the result as a starting point only. Before you buy or tow any RV, confirm your towing capacity and payload with your vehicle's manufacturer, owner's manual and door-jamb labels. Not sure? You can always bring your unit to Hilltop and we'll help you figure it out.
Start Your Lookup Here
Results are estimates only. Read the attention note under your results and the full disclaimer at the bottom of this page.
Your Weakest Link Wins
Max towing capacity is only one number. Stay under every one of these, and the lowest limit is the one that counts.
Leave Yourself a Margin
Many RV professionals suggest towing well under your max, often around 80% or less, to allow for full water tanks, gear, wind, hills and summer heat. This is a common guideline, not a manufacturer rating.
Where to Find Your Ratings
The tow guide is a starting point. These are the sources that count, and if you can't find them, bring your unit to Hilltop and we'll help.
Owner's Manual
Your vehicle manufacturer's towing section and towing guide for your exact configuration.
Door-Jamb Labels
The driver's door labels list GVWR, axle ratings and the payload your vehicle can carry.
Hitch Labels
Your receiver, ball mount and hitch each carry their own weight and tongue weight ratings.
RV Labels & Scale
The RV's weight label shows its GVWR. A certified scale shows what your loaded rig really weighs.
Don't Tow If…
- You're over any rating: towing, payload, GVWR, GCWR, axle or hitch
- You can't confirm your numbers with the vehicle manufacturer
- The trailer sways, fishtails or pushes your vehicle around
- The trailer brakes or brake controller aren't working right
- The rear of the tow vehicle sags or the front feels light
- Tires, wheels, lights or the breakaway switch have a problem
- The coupler, pin, jaws or safety chains aren't secure
- Roads are icy or winds are too strong to tow safely
If something doesn't feel right, pull over when it's safe and get help. You can always bring your unit to Hilltop and we'll help you figure it out. Our RV service team can inspect your RV's brakes, bearings, tires and lights.
- Coupler or king pin latched, locked and pinned
- Safety chains crossed under the tongue and attached
- Breakaway cable attached to the tow vehicle
- Brake controller set and trailer brakes tested
- Running, brake and turn lights all working
- Tires set to the pressures on each label, and lug nuts checked
- Jacks up, steps in, slides in, awning and antennas stowed
- Mirrors adjusted so you can see down both sides
- Load heavy items low and over the RV's axles
- Travel with fresh water tanks as empty as practical
- Drive slower and leave extra room to stop
- Watch trailer tire speed ratings
- Allow more room for lane changes and turns
- Stop and walk around the rig at every break
- Recheck hitch, tires and lug nuts after the first miles
- Never ride inside a travel trailer or fifth wheel while it's moving
Tow Smart All Year
Minnesota seasons change how you tow. A few reminders.
- Check tires, bearings, brakes and lights
- Look up your tow rating before a new truck or RV
- Book spring service early
- Heat is hard on tires and brakes
- Leave more following distance on busy weekends
- Don't overload for the long weekend
- Slow down in strong crosswinds
- Recheck tire pressure as temperatures drop
- Plan winterizing before the hard freeze
- Avoid towing on snow and ice
- Compare RVs you can tow in the comparison guide
- Get your trade-in value
Towing FAQ
How much can my vehicle tow?
It depends on your exact year, make, model, engine, drivetrain, axle ratio, cab, bed and towing package. Use the lookup on this page as a starting point, then confirm the number in your owner's manual or with your vehicle's manufacturer before you buy or tow an RV.
Is max towing capacity the only number that matters?
No. Payload, GVWR, GCWR, rear axle rating and your hitch rating all matter too. The lowest of those limits is the one you have to live with, and going over any of them is unsafe.
Why is my payload so important?
Tongue weight or fifth wheel pin weight counts against your payload, along with everyone riding in the vehicle, the hitch itself and anything in the bed or cabin. Many trucks run out of payload before they reach their max towing capacity.
Should I tow right up to my max towing capacity?
It isn't recommended. Many RV professionals suggest leaving a margin, often staying around 80% of max towing capacity or less, to allow for cargo, water, wind, hills and hot weather. Ask your vehicle manufacturer or a Hilltop expert what makes sense for your setup.
Is an RV's dry weight what I will actually tow?
No. Dry or shipped weight is how the RV left the factory. Water, propane, batteries, dealer-installed options, gear, food and clothing all add weight. Plan around the RV's GVWR, or weigh your loaded rig at a certified scale.
What is tongue weight and how much should it be?
Tongue weight is the downward force the trailer puts on your hitch. A common guideline for a bumper-pull trailer is about 10% to 15% of the loaded trailer weight. Too little can cause sway and too much can overload your rear axle, so follow your vehicle and hitch manufacturer's instructions.
What if my vehicle is not listed in the tow guide?
You can always bring your unit to any Hilltop Camper & RV store and we'll help you figure it out, including where your vehicle's towing information is published. The vehicle manufacturer is always the final word on what it can safely tow.
Do I need a weight distribution hitch or trailer brake controller?
Many travel trailers call for a weight distribution hitch with sway control, and most RVs with electric brakes need a brake controller in the tow vehicle. Check your vehicle manufacturer's requirements, the RV manufacturer's requirements and Minnesota law for your setup.
Not Sure What You Can Tow?
You can always bring your unit to Hilltop and we'll help you figure it out. Stop by any of our four stores and we'll help you look at your numbers and RVs that fit them, and we'll always point you back to your vehicle manufacturer for the final word.
Tow Guide Disclaimer
For general information only. The Tow Rating Guide and everything on this page are provided as a general reference to help you start a conversation about towing. They are not a guarantee, recommendation or certification that any vehicle can safely tow any RV.
Information may be incomplete or inaccurate. Towing capacities and vehicle specifications in the tow guide come from third-party and manufacturer-published data that may contain errors, omissions or outdated information, and may not reflect your vehicle's exact configuration, equipment, options, condition, modifications or model-year changes. RV weights, including dry, shipped and unloaded vehicle weights, are manufacturer estimates and actual weights vary.
Always verify before you buy or tow. Confirm your vehicle's towing capacity, payload, GVWR, GCWR, axle ratings and hitch ratings with your vehicle's manufacturer, owner's manual and the labels on your vehicle and hitch, and confirm the RV's weights with the RV manufacturer and the labels on the RV. When in doubt, weigh your fully loaded vehicle and RV at a certified scale.
You are responsible for safe towing. The decision to purchase, hitch, load and tow any RV, and to operate your vehicle, is solely yours. You are responsible for selecting, installing and adjusting properly rated towing equipment, loading and balancing your RV correctly, and following all vehicle, RV and equipment manufacturer instructions. Have hitches, brake controllers and wiring installed and inspected by a qualified professional.
Follow the law. You are responsible for complying with all federal, state and local laws and requirements that apply to your vehicle, RV and trip, including those for trailer brakes, safety chains, lighting, mirrors, speed, licensing and registration, in Minnesota and in every state you travel through.
No warranty. This information is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind, express or implied. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Hilltop Camper & RV, its owners, employees and data providers are not responsible or liable for any errors or omissions in this information, or for any loss, damage, injury or claim arising from the use of, or reliance on, the tow guide or this page. Guidance from Hilltop staff is offered as a courtesy and is not a substitute for your vehicle manufacturer's specifications.
By using the Tow Rating Guide, you acknowledge that you have read and understand this disclaimer.