PAYLOAD PROBLEMS: HOW MUCH CAN I (REALLY) TOW? RV Truck & Trailer

21 thoughts on “PAYLOAD PROBLEMS: HOW MUCH CAN I (REALLY) TOW? RV Truck & Trailer”

• If you would like the spreadsheet I used in this video, you can download it on the blog here. By downloading, you agree to take responsibility to check the formulas and data. If you have corrections or suggestions, let me know. http://www.keepyourdaydream.com/payload/

• Great video, I think too many people underestimate this and unfortunately the RV dealers will push people into thinking they can tow more than they really should.

• Great explanation. Definitely need to watch it again so I really understand it. haha

• One thing I noticed was that when inputing data for a 5th wheel trailer the 5th wheel hitch in the bed was not mentioned. Depending on the hitch used it can add upwards of 250lbs to your cargo weight. Thereby reducing your available payload.

• surprising how little payload those F250 have. There are 1500 and F150 which have more Payload (not more towing but payload)

• Thank you. This makes so much sense to see it on "paper". Looks like it'll just be me and the dog headed out… Wife and kiddos are simply too heavy.

• I got a lot of info from this video. Thanks for sharing

• Great info! That spreadsheet is wonderful. We found the used 5th wheel of our dreams (DRV Mobile Suites – 39 ft) and then had to find the right truck to pull it. We currently had a Ford F-250 and knew that wasn't going to pull it. Found an F-350, which isn't easy right now. We pick up the camper on Wednesday and are excited to hit the road! We will send pictures of ginger!

• Amazing video

• Send this to the father in law. He tows his 5th wheel with his 2017 GMC 1500 Denali. Man is stubborn vet who retired master Sargent in the air force and only listens to his wife who is a retired major in the Air Force lol 🤦🏼‍♂️

• Dirty little secret, those higher level models have pathetic payload ratings. All those fancy upgrades come out of payload. Many lower model F150s will have just as much payload as your 3/4 ton truck. Sky-high tow ratings sell trucks. On trailer dry weights, these numbers typically do NOT include any options on your trailer. Got an awning? AC? Spare tire? On some trailers, these are all OPTIONS, conveniently left out of dry weight. And any options added to your truck after the factory by either the dealer or the owner come out of payload too. Want a camper top on the bed? Nicer towing mirrors? Side steps? Bed liner? All come out of payload. Then you have all the stuff campers often carry in their trucks: tools, bicycles, generator, outside table, chairs, rugs, etc. Between a camper top and the stuff inside the bed, it's easy to have 750 pounds of your payload gone. Then the weight of driver and passenger. Here in super sized America, lots of couples weigh a lot more than KYD. Go to a truck stop, pull your rig across the CAT scale, get REAL data. Lots of people report trailer weights that are urban legends, not backe3d up with data. And those urban legends are usually low, often, way low.

• My dad drove big rigs all over the US for 40 years. Has never been in an accident. Knows everything there is to know about safe driving and towing heavy. Has been retired for 5 and lives in his towable 6 months a year, driving 20+ thousand miles a year. I ask him what his hitch weight is on his current rig? Him: "shrug". LMAOOOOOOO

• Just something I noticed- When the subject of liability came up it automatically went to financial liability. So if you increase your safe breaking distance by 25% by towing over your limit and rear-end someone killing a couple of kids in a fiery crash I think your financial liability should be the least of your worries. After all, you did kill with your over-weight toys. I see them every weekend, to often in the passing lane.

• I couldn't find the part in this video where you used the truck scale as shown in the thumbnail.

• When he was going over the dually the F-250 was still in the excel title

• I really wish I started watching your videos before we jumped the gun at buying our first TT. I'm worried we got more trailer then our truck will be able to handle. Everyone told me that my truck could pull 11,000lbs and that's what I believed. I have a 2014 F150 FX4 3.5 ecoboost with 3.55 axle. I just purchased a 2021 Rockwood Ultra Lite 2720IK. I haven't even picked it up yet. We get it next week. Based on the information that you provided, it appears that my max towing capacity is only 9,800lbs. Information based on the sticker on truck is GVWR: 7500lbs, Front GAWR 3750lbs, Rear GAWR 4050. Information on trailer is Hitch Weight: 1035, UVW: 8324, CCC: 1511. Based on these numbers, how am I actually looking? If more information is needed, please let me know. Thanks.

• You get a sub just for Shari g your spreadsheet. And of course we’ll put together videos. Much appreciated.

• It seems there are two concepts at work here which both converge to determine your towing ability. One, how much can your truck physically support, i.e. payload and weight on the truck itself. The second is actual pulling power. I've heard it said that you will come up against payload long before pulling capacity and that the additional weight of a diesel engine actually comes against your towing capacity where it is already the most problematic of the two. It would seem that a diesel would truly shine the most when payload is no longer an issue as perhaps with a dually. So, it would seem to be wise to focus on payload vs. pin weight/hitch weight rather than pulling power. That said, full disclosure, I don't even have a truck yet, I'm still waiting on my 2021 F250 Lariat 7.3L/4.30 rear end truck to be delivered… Been going on now for four months… However, I've watch video after video, ad nauseum, and consider myself slightly more knowledgeable that the average bear…

• Fantastic video and info man. Most people don't understand Payload is really your most important number. Start there and if your within payload 99% of the time you will be within the GVWR and GCWR.

• Thank you thank you thank you. Listening to people I know doing this with their gigantic(not needed) rig had me freaking out. You’re right..start where you are. We will find a match up for the truck we own and go from there.

• Thank you very much for itemizing specifics.

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