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Rigs, RV

What’s the Best Truck for Towing a Travel Trailer or Fifth Wheel?

Everything you need to know about truck size, towing capacity, engine types, drivetrain, payload, and more.

If you’re considering buying a travel trailer or fifth wheel, you’ll need a truck with towing capabilities. There are plenty of trucks to choose from, and each brand and model will be different. 

Choosing the proper tow vehicle can feel overwhelming. This guide will break down each step of the process when trying to find the right truck to tow your rig.

In this article:

Truck towing fifth wheel travel trailer through mountains
2020 GMC Sierra 3500 HD Denali Dual Rear Wheel | Photo: GMC

Truck Brands 

It’s best to keep an open mind when it comes to choosing your tow vehicle. Try to put any automaker brand loyalty aside, since limiting your truck options can affect the type of trailer you are able to tow. 

Automaker quality changes over time and manufacturers constantly develop new features, like towing safety technologies. Manufacturers build vehicles with the same chassis, drivetrain, and design for approximately 4 to 7 years, a period typically known as a generation. When you hear that “the new-gen Tundra is coming out in 2021,” that means it will be on a whole new platform and the truck will be completely overhauled. From year to year and within the same generation, manufacturers will also make minor updates to bumpers, grilles, headlights, and other features to make the same truck slightly new and improved. 

If you love the current generation of the truck you are eyeing, look to see how far into the cycle it is. If there’s a new generation coming out next year, the current one will be discounted. Or, the truck you love could be a model from the prior generation and there may be major improvements coming out soon with the new generation. 

Truck manufacturers don’t all change generations at the same time. For example, Ford updated the generation of the “F” series trucks in 2016 and it’s the current generation manufactured today. RAM was next to come out with its new generation in 2018, and GM followed in 2019 with the current Silverado/Sierra. This allows for increased competition and to keep truck models fresh to consumers. So, if you’re a fan of Ford trucks, know that Ford will most likely overhaul its trucks in a few years, before RAM and GM. 

If you are open to any brand, then you can shop around for the right combination of cost and features to find the perfect truck within your budget.

Truck towing an Airstream travel trailer on road
2020 Jeep® Gladiator Overland | Photo: Jeep

The Importance of Truck Towing Capacity and Payload

Towing capacity is perhaps the most important consideration when choosing your towing vehicle. However, it can be confusing to compare truck models. Automakers compete in torque and toughness, all trying to offer greater towing capacity without crushing the fuel economy. 

Just because an automaker claims to be “Best in Class,” that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right fit for you—or that the truck you’re looking at is able to live up to the hype. Within the same model of truck, there is a wide range of towing capabilities.

The most capable version of a truck is often the one with fewer luxury options. Generally, a heavier truck with additional upgrades will have a reduced ability to carry cargo. If you opt for these things, they will typically reduce your truck’s towing numbers. For example, off-road suspension—which can be found in Chevy’s Trailboss, RAM’s Rebel, and Ford’s Raptor—is softer and doesn’t handle heavy payloads as well. Luxury features such as leather, sun/panoramic roofs, and bigger cabs all add weight to the standard truck version, meaning less payload capacity. 

Engine options also impact towing capacity. A smaller engine means better fuel economy, but it will have less towing capacity than larger engines.

While tow capacity rankings change from year to year, it’s important to spend some time comparing the towing capacity of different truck models. Automakers including Ford, RAM, General Motors, Toyota, and Nissan adopted a uniform method for testing and rating the towing capacity of their pickup trucks, beginning with their 2015 models, which makes it easier to compare them.

Toy hauler travel trailer being towed by a pickup truck through winding road
2020 GMC Sierra HD Denali | Photo: GMC

Once you have a few trucks in mind, the best way to understand the specific truck’s towing capacity is to look at the driver’s side door jamb sticker. This contains tire information and payload capacity for the truck—arguably the most important number for towing. At the dealership, look at a different trim level of that same truck and you’ll see how the payload varies.

Whichever truck you pick, your towing vehicle must have a towing capacity higher than the trailer’s GVWR. Keep in mind that weight added to your towing vehicle, such as passengers and cargo, increases your GVW and factors into your vehicle’s GVWR. Head to a truck scale to get an accurate measurement of your GVW and then compare that to your GVWR.

It’s extremely important to understand payload capacity, which is the amount that the truck can hold in terms of cargo. This includes you and your family’s weight, any other passengers (including pets), gear in the cab and bed of the truck, and the weight of the hitch. It’s very common for people to go over payload without realizing it when it comes to RV towing because RVs typically have more tongue weight than boats and other types of trailers. 

When a truck is carrying too much payload, the rear suspension isn’t level. This is called sag and can be very dangerous. The nose of the truck will be higher and the steering will feel light. If the truck can’t handle the RV’s tongue weight properly, then the RV will also be unlevel with the nose down. Towing safety is incredibly important as overloading your trailer or vehicle can cause a crash.

Considerations When Towing a Fifth Wheel

Since fifth wheels are usually much heavier than comparable trailers, make sure your towing vehicle can support the hitch weight and the tow weight of a fifth wheel. If you’re towing a fifth wheel, you’ll likely need a truck with a more payload and a higher towing capacity than if you have a bumper pull or more traditional travel trailer. 

When shopping for a truck to pull a fifth wheel, it’s recommended to look for one that comes with fifth wheel prep from the factory as this means it will also come with other options that are optimized for towing a camper. If there’s a specific truck that meets your taste and has the capacities to tow your camper, there are aftermarket options for models that aren’t prepped for the fifth wheel to hook up to the bed of the truck.

Close up of a fifth wheel hitched to a truck bed
2020 GMC Sierra HD Denali | Photo: GMC

The truck’s payload also plays an important role in a fifth wheel combination because it has high weights that are transferred to the truck. This is why some people find the need to go from a three-quarter-ton truck to a one-ton—for example, if you have a RAM 2500 HD truck, but the fifth wheel’s pin weight, plus passengers, exceed 3,000 pounds. The average RAM 2500 payload maxes out around 3,000 pounds, but the average RAM 3500 can handle 4,000 pounds.

The Best Trucks for Towing 2020

Towing a trailer or fifth wheel takes raw power, a transmission that’s built to distribute that power, a cooling system to keep everything from melting, brakes to be able to stop it, and axles and suspension to support the weight.

It’s crucial to carefully check the specifications of a truck. Why? The engine, gearing, length, cab style, bed style, axles, and towing packages all affect the truck’s towing capacity. While a properly configured RAM 3500 can tow upwards of 30,000 pounds, that capacity drops to about 11,000 pounds without the right features and options.

Illustrations of pickup trucks of various data-lazy-sizes

Here are the 2020 trucks available in the U.S. ranked by towing capacity in their respective segments.

Note: Keep in mind that base payload numbers listed are from a standard truck. The realistic payload may be slightly lower depending on additional features and options that add weight and reduce payload capacity.

Mid-Size/Compact Trucks

Weekend warriors love compact trucks. They’re great for hauling small campers, boats, and motorcycles with maximum towing capacities ranging from 5,000 to 7,700 pounds.

Honda Ridgeline

  • Base towing capacity: 3,500
  • Max. towing capacity: 5,000
  • Base payload: 1,452
  • Max. payload: 1,499

Nissan Frontier

  • Base towing capacity: 3,760
  • Max. towing capacity: 6,710
  • Base payload: 1,020
  • Max. payload: 1,460

Toyota Tacoma

  • Base towing capacity: 3,500
  • Max. towing capacity: 6,800
  • Base payload: 1,155
  • Max. payload: 1,620

Ford Ranger

  • Base towing capacity: 3,500
  • Max. towing capacity: 7,500
  • Base payload: 1,560
  • Max. payload: 1,860

Chevrolet Colorado / GMC Canyon

  • Base towing capacity: 3,500
  • Max. towing capacity: 7,700
  • Base payload: 1,190
  • Max. payload: 1,550

Jeep Gladiator

  • Base towing capacity: 4,000
  • Max. towing capacity: 7,650
  • Base payload: 1,150
  • Max. payload: 1,600

Full-Size Trucks

Full-size trucks, or half-ton trucks, are also popular. These rugged pickups are designed with plenty of torque for pulling power. Maximum towing capacities in this segment range from 9,740 to 13,200 pounds.

Nissan Titan

  • Base towing capacity: 9,210
  • Max. towing capacity: 9,370
  • Base payload: 1,580
  • Max. payload: 1,680

Toyota Tundra

  • Base towing capacity: 9,200
  • Max. towing capacity: 10,200
  • Base payload: 1,560
  • Max. payload: 1,730

Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra 1500

  • Base towing capacity: 6,800
  • Max. towing capacity: 13,400
  • Base payload: 1,600
  • Max. payload: 2,110

RAM 1500

  • Base towing capacity: 6,390
  • Max. towing capacity: 12,750
  • Base payload: 1,200
  • Max. payload: 2,300

Ford F-150

  • Base towing capacity: 7,700
  • Max. towing capacity: 13,200
  • Base payload: 1,990
  • Max. payload: 3,270

Heavy-Duty Trucks

Heavy-duty trucks are also referred to as three-quarter-ton trucks. If you own a large fifth wheel trailer or a long travel trailer, you should consider this category of trucks. They come with gooseneck and fifth-wheel hitch options that place your load directly over the axle for greater towing capacities in this segment. The added weight of the truck will also help reduce sway and provide a safer towing experience.

Nissan Titan XD

  • Max. towing capacity, conventional: 10,880
  • Max. towing capacity, fifth wheel: 11,040
  • Base payload: 1,580
  • Max. payload: 2,240

RAM 2500

  • Max. towing capacity, conventional: 10,580
  • Max. towing capacity, fifth wheel: 19,680
  • Base payload: 1,620
  • Max. payload: 4,010

Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra 2500

  • Max. towing capacity, conventional: 20,000
  • Max. towing capacity, fifth wheel: 31,180
  • Base payload: 2,047
  • Max. payload: 6,610

Ford Super Duty F-250

  • Max. towing capacity, conventional: 18,200
  • Max. towing capacity, fifth wheel: 22,800
  • Base payload: 3,040
  • Max. payload: 4,160

Ultra-Duty Trucks

Ultra-duty trucks are the heroes of hauling. If you own an extra-large fifth wheel, you will probably need one of these. Their maximum towing capacity ranges from 20,000 to 32,000 pounds. While powerful, they probably won’t ride as well as lighter trucks.

Ultra-duty trucks come equipped with either single rear wheels (SRW) or dual rear wheels (DRW), also known as dually trucks. If you’re comparing the two, it’s helpful to know that single rear wheel trucks have less payload capacity, but dually trucks cost more to buy and require higher maintenance due to the extra tires. Dually trucks are wider and harder to live with as an everyday driver but handle the RV better, offering more stability on the road

Note: The highest payload and towing capacity numbers listed below are for the DRW versions of these trucks.

RAM 3500

  • Max. towing capacity, conventional: 18,000
  • Max. towing capacity, fifth wheel: 35,100
  • Base payload: 4,110
  • Max. payload: 7,680

Chevrolet Silverado / GMC Sierra 3500

  • Max. towing capacity, conventional: 20,000
  • Max. towing capacity, fifth wheel: 35,500
  • Base payload: 4,013
  • Max. payload: 7,442

Ford Super Duty F-350

  • Max. towing capacity, conventional: 21,200
  • Max. towing capacity, fifth wheel: 35,750
  • Base payload: 2,990
  • Max. payload: 7,850

Where to Compare Trucks for Towing

For more brand-specific towing information, check out these links:

Domestic

Imports

Three different pickup trucks on grassy area
(L to R) Chevrolet’s 2019 Silverado 5500 HD, 2020 Silverado 2500 HD High Country and 2019 Silverado | Photo: Chevrolet

Features to Consider When Purchasing a Truck for Towing

Gas vs. Diesel Engines 

Diesel engines are great for towing because they give you low-end torque. That’s why they’re so popular with commercial towing businesses. Diesel engines provide a useful combination of everyday driving fuel economy with torque capability for pulling an RV. These engines have similar pulling characteristics to a larger V8 but get better fuel economy and range.

In prior years, diesel engines were limited to heavy-duty trucks, but now you can find lightweight trucks with high-performance diesel engines. There’s also been an increase in mid-size and full-size trucks offering small turbo diesel engines in models like the Chevrolet Colorado / GMC Canyon, Jeep Gladiator, Ford F-150, GM 1500 Silverado and Sierra, and RAM 1500. 

Open hood of a pickup truck with an eco diesel engine
2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel Open Hood | Photo: RAM

While diesel engines have their benefits, they can add thousands of dollars to the purchase price. For example, you can get the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado (base price $21,300) with a Duramax 2.8L turbo-diesel engine that gives you a 7,700-pound towing capacity. However, the engine upgrade will cost you nearly $4,000.

In the full-size category, a small diesel engine is a premium option. For example, in the Chevrolet Silverado, the small diesel Duramax is $3,670 more than the biggest V8 offered and $6,600 more than the base engine. In the Ford F-150, the small Power Stroke Diesel is also the most expensive option with a $4,000 premium over the base engine.

Pros of a Diesel Truck:

  • Higher towing capacity and better towing experience
  • Safer descending when towing because the diesel engine has an engine brake feature to help the regular brake system not overheat
  • Better fuel economy and range when towing
  • Designed for a higher number of operating miles
  • Higher resale value in the used market
  • More torque makes the truck fun to drive

Cons of a Diesel Truck

  • Limited to fuel stations or pumps with diesel gas
  • Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) also needs to be filled
  • Higher cost of diesel at the pump
  • Service and repair costs are higher
  • Diesel engine option costs more
  • The diesel engine weighs more and reduces payload capacity

Consider how often you’re going to tow your RV. While diesel engines can tow more and may have better fuel economy, you might be better off with a gas engine if you aren’t towing very often.

Four-Wheel Drive

You’ll also want to consider if you need four-wheel drive, or if two-wheel drive will suffice. Nearly all pickups are based on rear-wheel drive platforms, which are designed to move heavy loads.

Traditional four-wheel drive (often called 4×4 or 4WD) is a part-time system that you turn on with a rotary switch, button, or lever when you need it. You can also select a low-range setting for challenging off-road conditions.

Full-time four-wheel drive is more versatile and is optional on some pickups. It kicks in as needed to enhance your traction, and your truck can run indefinitely in that mode without harming the drivetrain.

Close up of wheels on a pickup truck towing a travel trailer
2020 GMC Sierra HD Denali | Photo: GMC

Here’s the trade-off: Four-wheel drive vehicles are typically a bit heavier because of the weight of the four-wheel drive components. They also usually have a slightly lower towing rating and less fuel efficiency than the same vehicle with two-wheel drive.

Here are some high-performance truck models that have four-wheel drive but less payload and towing capacity because the suspension is softer, designed for trails and sand capability: 

  • Ford Raptor to the F-150
  • Chevrolet Silverado Trailboss / GMC Sierra AT4
  • RAM Rebel and TRX to the RAM 1500
  • Toyota TRD Pro trims on the Tundra and Tacoma
  • Jeep Gladiator Rubicon and Mojave to the regular Sport with Max Tow
  • Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 trim level

If you’re planning to tackle tough terrain, go off-roading, or travel in the winter, you might need the extra grip of four-wheel drive. You don’t want to get stuck on soft ground or a hill with loose gravel wishing you’d gone with the more aggressive powertrain.

Cab Types

When looking for a pickup, you need to consider the three different types of cabs: regular cab (two-door), extended cab (three-door), or crew cab (four-door).

Regular two-door cabs offer some advantages: They’re typically less expensive and are shorter and lighter, giving you an increase in payload. But if you need room for more passengers, consider the extended and crew cabs.

Interior cab of a pickup truck with leather seats and leg room
F-Series Super Duty | Photo: Ford

Extended cabs give you additional interior storage. The rear seats may make adults feel cramped but are typically comfortable enough for kids.

Crew cabs with four regular doors give you ample room for seating or cargo, similar to full-sized SUVs. However, these large cabs usually come at the expense of a smaller cargo bed and the least amount of payload versus the other cabs.

Truck Beds

Here’s another truck decision you’ll need to make: long- or short-bed pickup? If you choose a short-bed pickup, it will be easier to drive and park when you’re not towing. Parking your trailer at the campground should be easier, too. However, a shorter bed truck also means a shorter wheelbase (the space between the front and rear wheels). The longer the wheelbase of the truck, the better it will be at holding trailer sway steady when towing.

Long-bed trucks will give you more space—and more options. Long bed trucks are also more in demand, so they typically command a higher resale price.

View of an empty truck bed
Photo: Toyota

The standard cargo bed length is 8 feet for a full-sized pickup, 6 feet for an extended cab, and 5 feet for a crew cab. Cargo beds for compact pickups usually range from 5 to 6 feet. Fold-out bed extenders are widely available as well. These extenders flip over from within the bed, fencing off the open tailgate to allow you to secure bulkier or longer cargo. 

If you are towing a fifth wheel, short beds are not recommended. Since the hitch is inside the bed, a longer bed will keep the fifth wheel further away from the cab. People do tow fifth wheels with short beds, but you’ll typically find that the trailer is making contact with the rear cab’s window with this setup. It can also be a close call when backing up as the corner of the fifth wheel swings.

Additional Features

Automakers continue to add advanced safety technologies to their lineups, including electronic braking, stability control, traction control, tire pressure monitoring (TPM), lane departure warnings, and crash avoidance. 

Most trucks now come standard with apps on their infotainment system, but there are some dedicated towing features built in to the infotainment system on most trucks in the full-size and up category. The infotainment system will be the starting point for some of the features we highlight below and there is a range in options and technologies depending on the manufacturer. 

Rear view camera of a pickup truck with view of hitch
2020 GMC Sierra HD | Photo: GMC

GM is a leader in 2020, with an infotainment system that allows RV owners to connect their truck to a few RV command systems and monitor and control RV features from inside the truck. GM’s infotainment system also provides a checklist of common steps needed to tow a trailer safely.

Some of these features come standard and others are optional, so you’ll want to do some research to decide what’s necessary for your rig. 

Trailer Brake Controller 

Most trucks that come with a towing option will also come with a trailer brake controller included. This system applies the brakes to the camper when the driver uses the brakes on the truck. This allows both the camper and the truck to each use their own brakes to slow down or stop safely.

Blind Spot Monitoring

This feature alerts the driver when another vehicle is in its blind spot. Most vehicles come with this feature standard, as part of a package of safety features. Now some trucks also have the capability to alert the driver when there is a vehicle in the blind spot of the camper.

View of camera in pickup truck showing length of the trailer and on coming traffic in other lanes
2021 Chevrolet Silverado trailer length indicator | Photo: Chevrolet

Cameras

Most vehicles come with a rear backup camera and each manufacturer’s offerings vary. Most will provide an image (varying in resolution quality) from the back view of the truck, lines that guide the driver on a projected path, and zoom-in view. The best systems offer multiple angles on the truck: a front bumper view, wheels view, rear truck bed view, rear hitch view, and a bird’s eye view. The top-of-the-line systems allow for an RV’s rear camera to integrate into the truck’s infotainment system and provide that view, as well.

Be aware that in the mid-size truck category, this feature isn’t standard and may not even be available as an option in some. The aftermarket takes care of this by offering solid units that can be installed in your truck. Some trucks—like the Silverado, RAM models, or F-150—even have wiring ready for installation if they don’t already come with this feature. 

View of camera in pickup truck of attached travel trailer interior
2020 GMC Sierra HD Inside Trailer View Camera | Photo: GMC

Remote Trailer Light Check

Some models allow you to check your trailer lights by cycling through the lights with a smart key fob.

Trailer Backup Assist

Backup assist technologies increase your confidence in backing up your trailer. While the feature varies slightly by automaker, the concept remains the same.

Trailer Sway Control

This feature gives you confidence that you’re in complete control of your trailer. Some trucks offer a stability system and software to automatically respond to sway.

Trailer Tire Pressure Monitoring System

This feature monitors the pressure of your trailer tires. It also allows you to monitor the temperature of the tires to help prevent blowouts caused by overheating.


Final Considerations for Purchasing a Tow Vehicle 

Once you’ve narrowed down your options—from truck size to additional upgrades—look at consumer reports and Facebook groups for feedback on how the truck fares with current owners that tow. You’ll also want to take into account the time of year you’re looking to buy your truck and if you can take advantage of dealer incentives or holiday sales.   

Heavy duty pickup truck towing a fifth wheel driving on road
2020 F-350 Platinum | Photo: Ford

Keep in mind that salespeople at dealerships might not be the best source of information for specific towing questions as they can be focused on what’s popular rather than practical. Even within certain brand models, there will be differences that can drastically change how much the truck can tow.

Now you can go start your tow vehicle shopping journey armed with the right knowledge, questions to ask, and proper terminology to buy the right vehicle for not only your rig but also your lifestyle.