What size truck and towing capacity is needed for most RVs?

RV towing isn’t just about hooking up your trailer and hitting the road. It requires a clear understanding of what your truck can safely handle, because getting the right size and towing capacity can make all the difference between a smooth trip & a stressful one. Whether you’re a weekend adventurer or planning a full-time RV lifestyle, knowing how to match your truck with your RV is essential for safety, performance, and peace of mind.

Before you make a decision, it’s important to understand how much your RV weighs, what kind of hitch it needs, and how those factors affect the truck’s towing limits. This towing capacity guide will walk you through everything you need to know, including RV towing weights, so you can confidently choose the perfect truck for your RV and enjoy every mile of your journey.

Let’s Understand Towing Capacity First

Towing capacity is the maximum weight any truck can safely & legally tow. This number is provided by the truck manufacturer and is based on key technical factors such as the engine, transmission, suspension, and braking systems.

There are two important weight measurements to know:

Dry Weight (or unloaded weight): This is the weight of your RV without any cargo, passengers, or fluids.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): This represents the maximum weight of your RV when fully loaded, including cargo, passengers, fluids, and propane.

When selecting a truck, the RV towing capacity should ideally be 10% to 15% higher than your RV’s GVWR. This margin acts as a safety buffer, helping to prevent excessive wear & tear on both the truck and the RV.

What type of RV do you own? This question largely determines the kind of truck you’ll need for towing. Let’s explore some common trailerable RV types and their truck requirements.

Teardrop Trailers

Teardrop trailers are among the lightest and easiest RVs to tow. They’re simple, compact, and can be parked or stored almost anywhere—almost like a tent on wheels. Perfect for beginners or those who prefer minimalist camping.

Technical details:

Weight range: 500 to 2,500 lbs

Recommended truck: Any mid-sized truck

Hitch type: Standard hitch with weight distribution

Pop-Up Campers

Pop-up campers are also lightweight and easy to tow, offering more space than teardrop trailers. Their collapsible design allows you to “pop up” the camper wherever you park, making them convenient and versatile. Storage requirements are similar to teardrop trailers. These campers are great for beginners or those seeking simple, minimalist camping.

Technical details:

Weight range: 800 to 3,800 lbs

Recommended truck: Most mid-sized trucks can tow up to 3,500 lbs. If your RV weighs more than 3,500 lbs, consider a full or mid-sized truck with a higher towing capacity.

Hitch type: Standard hitch with weight distribution

Travel Trailers

Travel trailers vary widely in weight, with the smallest models resembling pop-up campers and the largest approaching the size of fifth-wheel trailers. One of their main advantages is that they can be towed using a standard trailer hitch. However, their large size often makes storage a challenge, which may require renting a storage space.

Technical details:

Weight range: 1,250 to 8,500 lbs

Recommended truck: Mid-sized trucks can tow travel trailers under 3,500 lbs. Since most travel trailers weigh around 4,000 lbs, a full-size pickup truck is usually necessary. For trailers weighing close to 8,500 lbs, a heavy-duty truck like an F-250, which can tow over 16,000 lbs, is recommended.

Hitch type: Standard hitch with weight distribution

Fifth-Wheel Trailers

Fifth-wheel trailers are among the heaviest and most spacious RV options, often packed with features and amenities. These trailers are classified as Class A RVs and typically require paid storage due to their size.

Technical details:

Weight range: Typically between 12,000 and 15,000 lbs, with some models reaching up to 20,000 lbs

Recommended truck: Heavy-duty trucks such as the Ford F-250 Super Duty, GMC Sierra 2500HD, and Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD are ideal for towing most fifth-wheel trailers. For trailers near the 20,000 lb mark, larger trucks like the Ford F-350 or F-450 are best suited.

Hitch type: A specialized 5th wheel hitch installed in the truck bed, which can cost between $1,500 and $3,000