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Fretz RV

RV Basics

Trailer towing guide & safety

80 Years of Safe Towing Expertise • Serving RV Enthusiasts Since 1946

1Step 1

Understanding your limits

GVWR

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The absolute maximum your RV can weigh when fully loaded with gear and water.

Payload

The total weight your vehicle can carry, including passengers, pets, and the hitch weight of the trailer.

The 80% Rule

We recommend choosing a trailer with a GVWR that is 80% or less of your vehicle's max tow rating for a safer, smoother ride.

2Step 2

Find my vehicle's towing capacity

Pick your year, make and model. We'll show the published max rating and the trailer weight we'd actually shop to.

Choose a year, make and model above to see your towing numbers.

Attention: Your vehicle's max towing capacity includes passenger weight, added accessories, any current liquids in tanks, and any cargo you've added such as food, clothes, chairs, grills, games, tools, etc.. For purposes of Find an RV I can Tow, we've allowed 1000 lbs for RVs over 8000 lbs, 750 lbs for RVs under 8000 lbs, and 500 lbs for RVs under 5000 lbs for average Cargo Weight. Always confirm your specific tow vehicles towing capacity directly from your vehicle's manufacturer before purchasing or towing an RV. You are responsible for the decision to operate your vehicle and any RV you may tow. If your specific vehicle is not listed, please contact us for assistance.

Terms & Definitions

Dry Weight/Shipped Weight
The weight of the RV as shipped from the manufacturer without any passengers, cargo, liquids, or additional accessories or dealer installed options.
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
The current combined weight of the RV (dry weight) plus passengers, cargo, and liquids.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The maximum allowed weight of an Vehicle/RV, including passengers, cargo, fluids, etc..
Cargo Weight
The total weight of all passengers, food, clothing, liquids, accessories, etc.. that you might put into your RV.
Tongue/Hitch Weight
The weight/pressure applied from the trailer tongue/coupler to the conventional/bumper hitch on your vehicle.
Pin Weight
This is often referred to as the weight/pressure applied from fifth wheel king pin to the hitch in the bed of your truck.
Payload Capacity
For Trucks the amount of weight you can safely add to the bed of the truck. Your Fifth Wheels Hitch Weight or Pin Weight plus the actual weight of hitch plus any other accessories you have in the bed of the truck must not exceed the Payload Capacity amount. Confirm Payload Capacity with your vehicle’s manufacturer.
Max Towing Capacity
The maximum weight limit that can safely be towed by your specific vehicle. This weight is calculated by adding the RV’s GVW with weight of all passengers, cargo, and liquids in your tow vehicle.
3Step 3

Shop by safe tow capacity

Every band below filters our live inventory by the RV's weight, so you only see units your vehicle can handle.

Under 3,500 lbs

SUV & minivan friendly

Browse units

3,500 – 5,500 lbs

Large SUV / mid-size truck

Browse units

5,500 – 8,500 lbs

Half-ton truck required

Browse units

Over 8,500 lbs

HD truck recommended

Browse units

Still not sure?

Bring your VIN to Fretz RV in Souderton and our team will verify your towing capacity, hitch setup and weight distribution before you buy.

Talk to a towing specialist