When it comes to travel trailers, you need to be sure you’re towing with the right vehicle — and towing smartly. A fun getaway can quickly turn into a nightmare if your load is too great for your vehicle. That kind of mismatch can ruin your transmission, wear out your engine, and damage the chassis and tires — all of which could set you up for a critical breakdown on the road or, worse, a tragic accident.
First, Know Your Travel Trailer Numbers
When you’re shopping for RVs, there’s an identification sticker on each vehicle with critical info to help you make an informed choice. The sticker will list the trailer or RV’s weight ratings. It can be a little confusing if you’re new to weight ratings.
Travel Trailer Weight Ratings:
Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is the most important thing to know. That’s the total weight the trailer or RV can handle.
Gross combined weight rating (GCWR) is the maximum weight the tow vehicle and trailer together can take when loaded.
Unloaded vehicle weight (UVW) is also important. It refers to the weight of the trailer without passengers or cargo. Think of it as the weight of the trailer as it is on the sales floor.
Cargo carrying capacity (CCC) is how much weight your RV can hold. That’s for loaded-in cargo, not built-ins (which are part of UVW). You can find your CCC with this equation: GVWR minus UVW equals CCC.
You’d be surprised how quickly these numbers can change, if you add accessories during an RV remodel. You might also be surprised how much camping gear, luggage, pets, and people can weigh down a trailer and the vehicle towing it! Always travel as lightly as possible, to be sure you’re traveling safely and well within safe limits of your vehicle/trailer combination.
Other Important Travel Trailer Weight Ratings:
Your hitch weight is also sometimes referred to as tongue weight or pin weight. It’s the amount of weight/force on the hitch ball or fifth wheel hitch.
Payload capacity is the weight of all of your travelers and cargo inside the tow vehicle PLUS the hitch weight of your trailer.
And lastly, there’s RAWR, which sounds a lot more fun than it is: rear axle weight rating. It refers to the weight your vehicle’s rear suspension can handle safely.
It’s good to know all of these ratings and why they matter, but if you’re doing quick calculations, the most important ratings to know are a trailer’s GVWR and hitch weight.
Finding the Perfect Tow Vehicle for Your Travel Trailer
When you’re looking for the perfect tow vehicle, you need to be sure that it is rated to tow more than your trailer’s GVWR. When you’re fully loaded up, the weight of the combo of two vehicles cannot be more than either vehicle’s GCWR — or you’re risking mechanical failure and the safety of your passengers.
In addition, you have to be sure that your tow vehicle’s RAWR weighs in excess of your trailer’s hitch weight. You’ll want to include the weight of any cargo in the tow vehicle’s truck bed or trunk that might be resting on the rear suspension.
In general, the lighter you’re traveling, the more options you have when it comes to a tow vehicle. And in general, pickup trucks will haul more than smaller family vehicles. Let’s take a look at the trailer/tow vehicle combinations ideal for those daily-use cars and SUVs.
Lightweight Travel Trailers
Lightweight travel trailers (like the popular teardrop shape) are always in great demand by couples, solo adventurers, or small families who need their tow vehicle to also be a smart daily ride. These tiny haulers can be hitched to many SUVs, crossovers, or even a family minivan if it’s tough enough. Here are two examples we like a lot:
Weighing in at only 1600 lbs.. the Scamp 13’ Deluxe is a great trailer choice for those hoping to tow with a small car, an SUV, or a crossover. Made of fiberglass, the Scamp 13’ Deluxe boasts a bathroom (with toilet and shower), a sink, a refrigerator, and even a gas range. And the interior height might surprise you: 6’3”, making it a perfect choice even for taller travelers. Two adult campers will be comfy in the Scamp, thanks to a nice dinette in the back that easily transitions to a bed.
We’re also big fans of nuDrop’s bite-sized TAG and TAG XL lightweight teardrop trailers, which pair nicely with a four-cylinder SUV. The rear galley is impressively equipped for on-the-road chef life, with a two-burner stove, cooler box, and capacious storage. The wood-finished interior is cozy and comfortable, with a big window that lets in plenty of sunlight, moonlight, and stars. And if you need a technology fix, there’s a great TV and sound system to keep you occupied. These trailers are tough, too, and more than happy to follow you up a mountain. If you need a little more room, the TAG XL expands the interior by 12 inches. It might not sound like much, but it’s a noticeable upgrade of elbow room.
Small travel trailers pair perfectly with vehicles able to tow up to 3500 lbs. Affordable standouts in this category include the Subaru Crosstrek, the Jeep Wrangler, the Toyota RAV4, and the Honda CR-V. Do you have a bigger budget and appreciate a little luxury? Splurge on a 2025 Volvo XC60.
Midsize Travel Trailers
The midsize travel trailers like the popular Lance 1475 and the Lance 1575 will offer more space for cargo and passengers. But they will tax the engines of smaller SUVs, so your tow vehicle will have to have the heft and power of a tow rating above 4000 lbs. We always say it's better to round up. Some top tow vehicles to consider for a midsize trailer: Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, or the Ineos Grenadier, all above 6000 lbs. of towing capacity.
Large Travel Trailers
You’ve seen the big ones: the fifth wheels, travel trailers, and haulers packed with toys and gear (and separate home offices and fancy slideouts). If living large is kind of your thing, you’ll definitely need a truck or a large SUV to match. A big-guns travel trailer like the Grand Design Reflection Series needs real power up front, like the Ford Expedition (9300 lbs.), the Chevy Tahoe (8400 lbs.), the Nissan Armada (8500 lbs.), or the GMC Yukon (8400 lbs.). Always check your trailer math and have an expert weigh in to prevent a weight mismatch between a tow vehicle and a heavy trailer.
Vehicle Prep for Towing
Best practices for towing a trailer? Due diligence is key. Be sure your vehicle can handle whatever you decide to tow, and don’t forget to calculate the (surprisingly heavy) weight of cargo and passengers.
Also, be sure you’ve got a proper hitch — an RV specialist or dealer can help with that. You’ll also want to be sure you’ve got tow-ready tires and plenty of safety equipment on board should you run into trouble. And always: maintenance, maintenance, maintenance! Take care of your tow vehicle and trailer, and they’ll take care of you for years to come.
Come Home to Carefree Covered RV Storage
Whether you end up going with a lightweight travel trailer like the Scamp 13’ Deluxe or a spacious one like the Grand Design Reflection Series, chances are you’ll need somewhere to park it safely when you’re in between adventures. Take the hassle out of travel trailer storage by renting an off-site storage space like the ones at Carefree Covered RV Storage.
When you store your recreational vehicles with us, you’ll enjoy secure, quality covered RV storage with our extensive video camera surveillance, along with 365-day automated access with our phone gate app, charging outlets, free Wi-Fi, and free self RV wash and sewer dump.
We’ve even got complimentary bags of ice! We’re always here for our customers at Carefree Covered RV Storage. Check out our facilities in Texas and Arizona, then stop by, and we’ll get your rig set up.
At Carefree Covered RV Storage, you’re guaranteed peace of mind, protection, and personalized, old-fashioned service. We make it easy for you to rent and make payments online, maintain your vehicle, and get on the road — so that you can keep living the carefree life.