Which Trucks Tow a Travel Trailer Best?
The tow rating on the window sticker doesn’t tell the whole story. A truck rated for 12,000 lbs with a crew cab, four passengers and gear in the bed might only have 7,000 lbs of real towing capacity left.
Here’s what actually matters when picking a tow vehicle.
Half-Ton Trucks — Best for Travel Trailers Under 8,000 lbs
Half-tons handle the vast majority of travel trailers. If your loaded trailer weighs under 8,000 lbs, you don’t need a three-quarter ton.
Ford F-150
The highest tow rating in the half-ton class.
| Configuration | Max Tow | Payload |
|---|---|---|
| 3.5L EcoBoost, max tow pkg, 3.73 axle | 14,000 lbs | 1,840 lbs |
| 5.0L V8, tow pkg, 3.73 axle | 11,600 lbs | 1,940 lbs |
| 3.5L EcoBoost, crew cab, 4x4 | 11,500 lbs | 1,750 lbs |
| 2.7L EcoBoost, crew cab | 8,500 lbs | 1,680 lbs |
Why it works: The twin-turbo 3.5L makes 400 lb-ft of torque and doesn’t feel strained towing 8,000 lbs. The 10-speed transmission finds the right gear on hills. Available onboard scales show real-time tongue weight and payload.
Watch out for: Payload on crew cab short beds drops fast with passengers. The 14,000 lb max tow rating requires the SuperCab and specific options most people don’t order.
Ram 1500
The smoothest riding half-ton. The optional air suspension self-levels when hitched.
| Configuration | Max Tow | Payload |
|---|---|---|
| 5.7L HEMI, tow pkg, 3.92 axle | 12,750 lbs | 2,300 lbs |
| 3.6L V6 eTorque | 7,730 lbs | 1,660 lbs |
| 5.7L HEMI, crew cab, 4x4 | 10,620 lbs | 1,780 lbs |
Why it works: The coil spring rear suspension rides better than leaf springs (used by Ford and Chevy). Payload numbers are competitive. The 12-inch touchscreen has the best integrated towing camera views.
Watch out for: The V6 eTorque doesn’t have the guts for serious towing. Get the HEMI.
Chevy Silverado 1500 / GMC Sierra 1500
Available with a diesel option — the only half-ton diesel still sold.
| Configuration | Max Tow | Payload |
|---|---|---|
| 3.0L Duramax diesel, max tow | 13,300 lbs | 1,870 lbs |
| 6.2L V8, max tow, 3.73 axle | 12,000 lbs | 1,890 lbs |
| 5.3L V8, crew cab, 4x4 | 9,500 lbs | 1,750 lbs |
| 2.7L Turbo 4-cyl | 9,600 lbs | 1,810 lbs |
Why it works: The 3.0L Duramax diesel gets the best towing fuel economy in the class — 22-24 MPG highway while towing 6,000 lbs. The 6.2L V8 has the most raw power. GM’s trailering app with integrated cameras and trailer tire pressure monitoring is excellent.
Watch out for: The multi-function tailgate is fancy but adds weight and reduces payload by about 40 lbs. Minor, but worth noting.
Toyota Tundra
Fully redesigned with a twin-turbo V6 and 10-speed.
| Configuration | Max Tow | Payload |
|---|---|---|
| 3.4L twin-turbo V6, tow pkg | 12,000 lbs | 1,940 lbs |
| 3.4L i-FORCE MAX hybrid | 11,175 lbs | 1,580 lbs |
| CrewMax 4x4, standard | 8,300 lbs | 1,580 lbs |
Why it works: Toyota reliability. The Tundra’s twin-turbo V6 makes 389 hp and 479 lb-ft. The hybrid variant adds torque off the line. Legendary resale value softens the higher purchase price.
Watch out for: Payload is the weakest in the class, especially on the hybrid. The coil spring rear rides nice empty but squats more under tongue weight than competitors.
Three-Quarter and One-Ton Trucks — For Trailers Over 10,000 lbs
If your loaded trailer exceeds 10,000 lbs — or if tongue weight pushes past 1,200 lbs — step up to a heavy-duty truck. The frame, axles, brakes and cooling are built for sustained heavy towing.
Ford F-250 / F-350
| Configuration | Max Tow (Conventional) | Max Tow (5th Wheel) |
|---|---|---|
| 7.3L V8, F-250 | 15,000 lbs | 18,500 lbs |
| 6.7L Power Stroke diesel, F-250 | 20,000 lbs | 20,000 lbs |
| 6.7L Power Stroke diesel, F-350 SRW | 22,000 lbs | 27,500 lbs |
| 6.7L Power Stroke diesel, F-350 DRW | 24,200 lbs | 37,000 lbs |
The F-250 is the sweet spot for most camper owners. It tows anything you’d realistically pull without the width and parking headaches of a dually.
Ram 2500 / 3500
| Configuration | Max Tow (Conventional) | Max Tow (5th Wheel) |
|---|---|---|
| 6.4L HEMI, Ram 2500 | 16,870 lbs | 16,320 lbs |
| 6.7L Cummins diesel, Ram 2500 | 20,000 lbs | 17,540 lbs |
| 6.7L Cummins diesel, Ram 3500 SRW | 18,500 lbs | 20,000 lbs |
| 6.7L Cummins diesel, Ram 3500 DRW | 22,110 lbs | 37,090 lbs |
The Cummins inline-6 is the cult favorite. Low-end torque is massive and the engine lasts forever with proper maintenance. 300,000+ mile Cummins trucks are common.
Chevy Silverado 2500 / 3500
| Configuration | Max Tow (Conventional) | Max Tow (5th Wheel) |
|---|---|---|
| 6.6L V8, Silverado 2500 | 16,300 lbs | 18,510 lbs |
| 6.6L Duramax diesel, 2500 | 22,500 lbs | 18,510 lbs |
| 6.6L Duramax diesel, 3500 DRW | 23,500 lbs | 36,000 lbs |
The Allison 10-speed transmission paired with the Duramax diesel is one of the smoothest heavy-duty powertrain combos available. GM’s digital towing mirrors with integrated camera displays are a nice touch.
Gas vs Diesel for Towing
| Factor | Gas V8 | Turbo Gas V6 | Diesel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | Lowest | Mid | Highest (+$8-12K) |
| Fuel cost per mile towing | $0.30-0.40 | $0.25-0.35 | $0.20-0.30 |
| Low-end torque | Good | Very good | Best |
| Engine braking on hills | Limited | Moderate | Excellent |
| Maintenance cost | Low | Moderate | High (DEF, oil, fuel filters) |
| Resale value | Average | Good | Highest |
| Best for | Occasional towing | Regular towing <10K lbs | Frequent towing >10K lbs |
The break-even math: Diesel trucks cost $8,000-12,000 more than gas equivalents. If you save $500/year in fuel while towing, it takes 16-24 years to break even on fuel alone. Diesel makes financial sense if you tow frequently (20+ trips/year) and your trailer exceeds 10,000 lbs.
For most travel trailer owners pulling 5,000-8,000 lbs a dozen weekends a year, a gas half-ton is the right call.
What to Look For in a Tow Vehicle
Tow Package
This is non-negotiable. The factory tow package typically includes:
- Heavy-duty radiator and transmission cooler
- Trailer wiring harness (7-pin connector)
- Class IV hitch receiver
- Upgraded alternator
- Trailer brake controller (on newer trucks)
- Transmission oil cooler
Without the tow package, your truck might have the engine power but not the cooling, wiring or hitch to tow safely.
Axle Ratio
Higher number = more towing power but worse fuel economy empty. For towing:
- 3.21 or 3.31 — fine for light loads under 5,000 lbs
- 3.55 or 3.73 — the towing sweet spot for most travel trailers
- 4.10 or 4.30 — maximum towing, fuel economy suffers empty
Extended Mirrors
If your trailer is wider than your truck (most travel trailers are), you need towing mirrors that extend past the trailer width. Some trucks have power-extending mirrors from the factory. Aftermarket clip-on mirrors work but vibrate at highway speed.
Wheelbase
Longer wheelbase = more stable towing. Regular cab long beds and crew cab long beds tow better than crew cab short beds. The longer distance between axles reduces sway response.
Related Guides
More Camper Guides
Weight Distribution Hitch Guide - Setup, Adjustment and Brands
Set up a weight distribution hitch correctly for safe towing. Covers how WDH works, when you need one, proper adjustment, spring bar tension and top brands compared.
How to Level a Travel Trailer at Your Campsite
Level your travel trailer quickly using leveling blocks, stabilizer jacks and a bubble level. Step-by-step process for side-to-side and front-to-back leveling.
Trailer Weight Chart - GVWR, Tow Capacity and Hitch Sizes
Trailer weight chart with GVWR for every type. Look up tow capacity by VIN, pick the right hitch class and calculate real-world towing weight.
Tongue Weight Explained - How to Measure and Adjust It
Understand tongue weight and why it matters for safe towing. How to measure with a scale, calculate the right percentage and fix tongue-heavy or tongue-light trailers.