Can I tow this?
So you’ve picked out a trailer you’d like to buy, but you’re not sure what you’ll need to 
tow it home with. 
 
First thing you need to do is understand some of the weight ratings and numbers, so let’s 
start with some definitions and explanations.

Dry weight.  You can find this printed in a brochure, on a sticker inside one of the 
kitchen cabinets, or somewhere on the outside of the trailer (usually near the front on the 
left side).  This dry weight number may not be accurate for the trailer you are looking at.  
It may not include options, upgrades or accessories added by the manufacturer or the 
dealer.  It may not include the weight of the empty propane tanks or the batteries.  
Because this number can be as much as 500# off, I don’t recommend using this for much 
of anything. 
 
Tongue weight (trailers).  You can usually find this number in the same place as the dry 
weight, and it can be just as wrong!  It is usually listed as “dry hitch weight” or “dry 
tongue weight”.  There’s that word again...“dry”.  Tongue weight for most trailers is in 
the 12%-15% range, but this could vary depending on the floor plan.  An absolute 
minimum recommended tongue weight would be 10% of total trailer weight.  Not enough 
tongue weight can cause handling problems, such as trailer sway.  Too much tongue 
weight can cause steering problems with the tow vehicle. 
 
Pin weight (fifth wheels).  You can find this number in the same place as the dry weight, 
and it can be just as wrong!  It is usually listed as “dry pin weight”.  There’s that word 
again, “dry”.  Pin weight for most fifth wheels is around 20%, but this could vary 
depending on the floor plan. 
 
Axle weight.  This is the amount of weight on the axles (or tires).  It could be listed as 
“dry axle weight”, and you could also find a “maximum axle weight” rating. 
 
GVWR.  Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, is the maximum the trailer can weigh.

So, how can you tell if you can tow this trailer or not?  The two numbers that should 
concern you the most are the GVWR and the hitch or pin weight. 
 
If you already have a tow vehicle, go to “What can I tow?” and use these numbers. 
 
If you are looking for a tow vehicle, you’ve got a little more work to do…mainly 
shopping and comparing different vehicles.  While you’re out shopping, you’ll probably 
see the “tow ratings” or “towing capacity” numbers.  Don’t believe them!  They are 
mainly for advertising purposes and bragging rights!  The best thing to do would be to 
take the vehicle to a public scale and get it weighed.  (See the pages for "How to weigh?" 
and "What can I tow?".)  You can find a scale at most truck stops, larger recycle centers, 
waste transfer stations, and you can even use the scales at the weigh stations along the 
highway (the ones the commercial truckers use).  Even if it’s a 2 hour drive to the nearest 
scale, it will be well worth your time and expense to find out that you have chosen the 
right vehicle to tow with before you buy it than it would be to find out later that you 
didn’t get enough tow vehicle for the job. 
 
Also when you’re out shopping for the right tow vehicle, don’t believe the salesperson 
when they tell you, “Sure, this can pull that trailer no problem!”  Yeah, right!  Most 
salespeople have never towed anything larger than a utility trailer, if that.  Many of the 
RV salespeople have never towed anything either!  I have read so many stories from 
people that trusted the salespeople, only to find out that their tow vehicle could hardly 
tow the trailer off the lot!
Please make sure that your intended tow vehicle is up to the task you are about to put it 
to.  Otherwise, your RV'ing experience may not be the one you had hoped for.