Can your vehicle tow it?
A quick towing capacity check for travel trailers. It looks at the two numbers that matter: your tow rating and your payload. Presets are loaded for the small Colemans, and you can enter any camper.
Enter your tow rating and payload to see your result.
This is a quick estimate, not a guarantee. Always confirm your vehicle's ratings in the owner's manual, never exceed any of them (including GCWR and rear axle rating), and weigh your setup at a CAT scale once it is loaded for a trip.
How this calculator works
- Tow rating: it compares the camper's GVWR, its fully loaded weight, to your tow rating. Under 80% is the comfortable zone most RVers aim for. 80 to 100% can work, but it is tight. Over 100% is over your rating.
- Payload: it estimates tongue weight at 13% of GVWR (the usual range is 10 to 15%), adds the people and gear in the vehicle, and compares that to your payload. Payload is where a lot of SUVs and half-ton trucks actually run out first.
We tow our Keystone Coleman 17B and have put over 2,000 miles on it. The biggest lesson: the camper always ends up heavier than the brochure's dry weight once you add propane, a battery, water, food, and gear. That is why this uses GVWR. Here are all the 17B specs and how we tow ours.
Still picking a camper? Take our 5-question Coleman quiz, or read our Coleman 13B vs 17B comparison. Shopping used? Use our used camper checklist.
Towing FAQs
How do I know if my vehicle can tow a camper?
Find your vehicle's max tow rating and payload capacity (owner's manual and the yellow sticker in the driver's door jamb). Compare the camper's GVWR, its fully loaded weight, to your tow rating, and make sure the hitch weight plus everything in the vehicle fits under your payload. A common rule of thumb is to stay at or under 80% of your tow rating.
Should I use dry weight or GVWR?
GVWR. Dry weight is the camper empty from the factory, with no propane, battery, water, food, or gear. Once you load it for a trip, you are much closer to GVWR. Using GVWR builds in a safety margin.
What is the 80% towing rule?
It is a rule of thumb, not a law: keep the loaded camper at or under about 80% of your vehicle's tow rating. That leaves room for wind, hills, heat, and the weight you forget about. It is a guideline many RVers and dealers use, not a manufacturer requirement.
Why does payload matter for towing?
Payload is how much weight your vehicle can carry, and it includes the camper's tongue weight pressing down on the hitch, plus every person, pet, cooler, and bag in the vehicle. Plenty of SUVs and half-ton trucks run out of payload before they hit their tow rating.
How much tongue weight does a travel trailer have?
Usually about 10 to 15% of the loaded trailer weight. This calculator uses 13% as a middle estimate. The only way to know for sure is to weigh it with a tongue weight scale or at a CAT scale.
Can a small SUV tow a Coleman 17B?
It depends on the SUV. The Keystone Coleman 17B has a 4,300 lb GVWR, so at the 80% rule you would want a tow rating around 5,400 lbs or more, plus enough payload for about 560 lbs of tongue weight and everyone in the car. Plug your numbers in above to check.