What Size Travel Trailer Can A Car Pull?

The peculiarity of travel trailers is that they come in all shapes and sizes. So, the question of which size travel trailer can a car pull is not easily answerable.

The maximum travel trailer weight that a car can tow depends on the make of the vehicle and the towing capacity of the car. The towing capacity is usually mentioned in the user manual of the car. Here we will tell about them and discuss what affects the size of a travel trailer that your car can pull.

Can A Car Pull A Travel Trailer?

The short answer is yes, but there are a few qualifications. The RV/trailer's weight shouldn't exceed the towing vehicle's GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating), which is the total weight your vehicle can tow. It's generally best to stay under 80% of your max towing capacity. This allows your vehicle to tow the trailer safely and gives you some extra capacity in case you need to carry additional gear or supplies.

The GVWR includes the weight of the trailer, any cargo you're carrying inside it, the weight of any passengers, and the weight of the tongue (the part that sticks out in front of the trailer and attaches to the towing vehicle).

A standard car usually has a towing capacity of around 2000 lbs, whereas an SUV can tow up to 5000 lbs. So, a travel trailer that weighs less than 2000 lbs can be towed by a car, and a travel trailer that weighs less than 5000 lbs can be pulled by an SUV.

What Are The Main Towing Weight Terms?

You need to be aware of the various weights of your trailer when planning a trip. These include:

The GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) is the maximum amount that the GTW (Gross Trailer Weight) should not exceed. Most manufacturers will list their product's GVWR; however, some do not.

GTW, or Gross Trailer Weight, is the full weight of a loaded trailer, including all fluids and cargo. When hitched to a tow vehicle, some of this weight is transferred to the car. You will need to calculate Tongue Weight as well. It is important not to exceed the GVWR as this will put stress on the towing vehicle and could cause an accident.

The TW (Tongue Weight) is the downward force exerted by the trailer on the hitch ball of the towing vehicle. It should be 10-15% of the GTW and should not exceed the maximum tongue weight limit of the hitch.

The Curb Weight is the term that describes the weight of an empty trailer. This is the starting point for calculating GTW.

The Payload Capacity is the maximum amount of weight that can be added to the Curb Weight. This includes fluids, cargo, and any passengers that will be riding in the trailer.

What Size Travel Trailer Can A Car Pull?

The size of the travel trailer you need depends on a few factors such as how many people will be using it, what type of activities you'll be doing, and how long you'll be staying at your destination.

If you're planning on using your trailer for weekend getaways or short trips, then a small travel trailer would suffice. However, if you're planning on living in your RV full-time or taking long vacations, then you'll need a larger travel trailer that has more amenities.

The size of your vehicle will also play a role in determining what size travel trailer you can pull. Smaller cars and SUVs may not be able to tow a large travel trailer, so it's important to choose one that's within your vehicle's towing capacity.

Here are some general guidelines on what size travel trailer can be pulled by common vehicles:

• Small Cars such as a Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla can usually tow up to 2,000 pounds. This would be enough for a small pop-up camper or teardrop trailer.
• Mid-sized Cars such as a Ford Fusion or Chevrolet Impala can often tow between 3,000-4,000 pounds. This would allow you to tow a larger pop-up camper or a small travel trailer.
• Full-sized Cars like a Ford Taurus or Toyota Avalon can typically tow between 5,000-6,000 pounds. This would enable you to pull a medium-sized travel trailer or a large pop-up camper.
• Mid-sized SUVs such as a Ford Explorer or Honda Pilot can usually tow between 4,500-5,500 pounds. This range would let you tow a large travel trailer or a smaller fifth wheel.
• Full-sized SUVs like a Chevrolet Tahoe or Ford Expedition can often tow between 7,000-8,500 pounds. This would give you the ability to tow a large fifth wheel or a small motorhome.
• Pickup Trucks have a wide range of towing capacities, but most can tow between 8,000-10,000 pounds. This would allow you to pull a large travel trailer, fifth wheel, or even a small motorhome.

As you can see, there are many factors that go into determining what size travel trailer your car can pull. Be sure to consider all of these factors before making your purchase so that you choose the right RV for your needs.

What is the best vehicle for towing a travel trailer?

Begin with your tow vehicle. If you're new to RVing, you may be wondering what the best vehicle is for towing a travel trailer. The answer? It all differs based on various personal circumstances like the type of trailer being towed, whether or not you already own a suitable tow vehicle and if neither are currently owned but both are desired.

The main focus when towing a travel trailer is ensuring that the car can handle the weight of both the trailer and whatever will be inside of it. The vehicle's manufacturer usually tells consumers how much weight the car can tow—not you. In most cases, it's best to choose a vehicle that slightly exceeds the travel trailer's weight so you have some extra room to play with.

What Is The Biggest RV Trailer My Vehicle Can Tow?

Now that you know your trailer's GVWR and TW, it is vital to focus on choosing the correct tow vehicle. The first step of any journey in a travel trailer starts with dropping the tongue onto the hitch ball. However, having a truck or SUV that can handle the weight of both your car and trailer is essential for safely making it to your destination.

Your tow vehicle's maximum trailer towing capacity along with what needs to be properly equipped per the vehicle manufacturer's specifications can both be found in the towing/trailering section of the owner’s manual. So, in order to identify the maximum size of a travel trailer your vehicle can safely tow, first locate the owner's manual.

There are a few different ways to find your car or truck's maximum trailer towing capacity if you no longer have the owner's manual. The best way would be to contact the automaker directly and request the information from them. Additionally, many automakers post their vehicles' towing capacities on their websites. Another way to find this information is through an internet search using your vehicle make, model, and year followed by "maximum trailer towing capacity."

If the tow vehicle has a maximum capacity of 6,000 pounds, the trailer should weight 4,500 pounds or less. If the tow vehicle can haul 10,000 pounds, an appropriate trailer weight is 7,500 pounts or less. Also, be mindful that the trailer's tongue weight (the downward force exerted on the hitch by the trailer) should not exceed 10-15 percent of the overall trailer weight.

The last factor to consider is your own personal towing comfort level. Just because a vehicle can tow a certain amount, doesn't mean you have to max it out every time you hook up your trailer. If you don't feel comfortable towing close to the maximum capacity, choose a lighter travel trailer.

At the end of the day, the size of RV you can tow depends on multiple factors such as:

• The GVWR and TW of the travel trailer
• The maximum towing capacity of your vehicle
• Your personal comfort level when towing

Keep all of these things in mind when choosing the right RV for your next adventure. And, as always, be sure to consult with a professional if you have any questions or concerns. Happy travels!