Travel Trailer Weight Chart - Dry Weight, GVWR by Size

Every truck has a towing limit. Every trailer has a weight. Match them wrong and you’ll burn through brakes, overheat transmissions and put yourself in danger on Texas highways.

Here’s what different trailer types actually weigh.

Weight Chart by Trailer Type

Trailer Type	Length	Dry Weight	GVWR	Tongue Weight
Teardrop	8-12 ft	1,200-2,000 lbs	1,800-2,500 lbs	150-250 lbs
Pop-Up	10-16 ft	1,500-3,000 lbs	2,500-4,000 lbs	200-400 lbs
Small Single-Axle	14-18 ft	2,500-3,500 lbs	3,500-4,500 lbs	300-500 lbs
Mid Single-Axle	18-22 ft	3,500-4,500 lbs	4,500-6,000 lbs	400-600 lbs
Standard Dual-Axle	22-28 ft	4,500-6,000 lbs	6,000-7,500 lbs	500-800 lbs
Large Dual-Axle	28-35 ft	6,000-8,500 lbs	7,500-10,000 lbs	700-1,200 lbs
Toy Hauler	24-36 ft	5,500-9,000 lbs	8,000-14,000 lbs	800-1,500 lbs
5th Wheel	28-42 ft	7,000-14,000 lbs	10,000-18,000 lbs	1,200-2,500 lbs

Understanding Weight Terms

Dry Weight (UVW)

The trailer as it leaves the factory. No water, propane, battery, cargo or options. This is the number dealers advertise because it looks low.

Problem: Nobody tows an empty trailer. Dry weight is misleading.

GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)

Maximum loaded weight the trailer is designed to handle. Set by the manufacturer based on axles, frame, tires and suspension. Exceeding GVWR stresses every component and voids warranties.

Payload Capacity (CCC)

GVWR minus dry weight. This is how much stuff you can put inside — water, food, clothes, gear, bikes, tools.

A trailer with 5,000 lb dry weight and 7,000 lb GVWR has 2,000 lbs of payload. Sounds like a lot until you add:

• Fresh water (40 gal = 334 lbs)
• Propane (2 tanks = 80 lbs)
• Battery = 60 lbs
• Camping gear = 200-400 lbs
• Food and supplies = 100-200 lbs
• Personal items = 200-400 lbs

That 2,000 lb payload disappears fast.

Tongue Weight

The downward force the trailer puts on the hitch. Should be 10-15% of total trailer weight. Too little and the trailer sways. Too much and it overloads the truck’s rear axle.

Matching Trailer to Tow Vehicle

The 80% Rule

Never tow more than 80% of your truck’s maximum tow rating. A truck rated for 7,500 lbs should tow no more than 6,000 lbs in real-world conditions.

That rating assumes a specific cab configuration, engine, axle ratio and no passengers or cargo in the truck bed. Load up the truck and your effective towing capacity drops.

Payload Matters Too

Your truck has a separate payload rating (on the driver’s door sticker). Tongue weight, passengers, bed cargo and anything in the cab all count against payload.

A half-ton truck with a 1,500 lb payload carrying two adults (400 lbs), tongue weight (600 lbs) and gear in the bed (200 lbs) is at 1,200 lbs — 80% of payload before you add anything else.

Common Tow Vehicle Capacities

Vehicle	Max Tow	Payload
Toyota Tacoma	6,800 lbs	1,685 lbs
Ford F-150	8,200-14,000 lbs	1,700-3,300 lbs
Chevy Silverado 1500	9,500-13,300 lbs	1,750-2,500 lbs
Ram 1500	7,730-12,750 lbs	1,660-2,300 lbs
Ford F-250	15,000-22,000 lbs	3,000-4,300 lbs
Toyota Tundra	8,300-12,000 lbs	1,580-1,940 lbs

Varies by configuration. Check your specific truck’s door sticker for actual ratings.

Weighing Your Trailer

Don’t trust the sticker. Weigh your trailer loaded and ready to camp.

Where to weigh: CAT scales at truck stops ($12-15). Some RV dealerships have scales. Some states have public weigh stations open to RVs.

How to weigh:

1. Weigh the full rig coupled (truck + trailer) = Combined weight
2. Unhitch and weigh truck alone = Truck weight
3. Combined minus truck = Actual trailer weight
4. Weigh truck with trailer tongue on the hitch = Tongue weight (truck weight coupled minus truck weight alone)

Related Articles

• Weight Distribution Hitch Guide
• Tongue Weight Calculator
• How to Level a Travel Trailer