How Much Can A Motorhome Tow? (Facts & Detailed Chart)

Curious about how much a motorhome can tow? The amount a motorhome can tow will highly depend on the RV type, (A, B, C or Super C) and age, it can range between 3,500 – 40,000 lbs (1,587 – 18,143 kg). Each make and model will have its own unique build to be able to tow maybe more or less than the other motorhomes in the same class.

Typically, a Class B will tow less at 3,500 to 5,000 lbs; a class C can tow from 5,000 lbs to 8,000; A Class A will tow 10,000 to 15,000 lbs and a Super C will tow 10,000 to 40,000 lbs.

If you have a Class B or Class C and you want read more on what it can tow, you can read more about it here or if you want to read more about super C’s. To determine your own towing capacity of your motorhome there are a few numbers that are required to know to calculate your own numbers.

How Do You Determine The Towing Capacity Your Motorhome?

To determine the towing capacity of your motorhome, you’ll first need the following numbers:

1. Maximum Towing Capacity – found under the chassis or getting the difference between the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) and the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).

2. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) – found inside the driver’s door, under the tire pressure plate. This is the maximum weight the motorhome is allowed to have, fully loaded with fuel, water, people and cargo (includes the tongue weight, but not the towed vehicle).

3. Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) – found under your chassis ‘specifications’ which will be the GVWR + the tow car/trailer/boat, etc.

4. Gross Axle Weight Rating – Total weight on each vehicle axle

5. Gross Trailer Weight – Total weight of the trailer

6. Tongue Weight – Total weight at the coupling point. Can be computed after getting the weight of the loaded tow vehicle (e.g. your motorhome) and the weight of the tow vehicle and the attached trailer.

7. Hitch Rating – found on the RV hitch where the ‘hitch weight rating plate’ will indicate how much you can tow. If the number indicated here is lower than the Maximum Towing Capacity, then you have to follow the hitch rating.

8. Occupant and Cargo Carrying Capacity (OCCC) – Also called the ‘payload’ and it’s found on a sticker found only on motorized RVs (the location of the sticker depends on the manufacturer, some are found on the inside of the driver’s door). OCCC is the maximum allowable weight of all occupants/passengers and cargo (gas tanks, personal belongings, food, etc.).

Keep in mind that the size of the engine and the weight of the motorhome (without any load – passengers, cargo, fuel, etc.) determines your RV’s capability to tow. Let’s say you want to compute for the weight of your unladen RV, you can use this formula:

GVWR – OCC = Empty RV

So when you do want to compute for the GCWR, you basically just need to add:

Loaded RV + Towed vehicle weight = Total Weight (Should be < than GCWR)

In case you’re not sure how much your loaded RV is, make sure you also add:

1. Empty RV weight

2. Driver weight

3. Passenger(s)/pet(s) weight

4. Water weight (check the OCCC sticker; should include water in the water heater, and if ever full grey &/or black tanks)

5. Full propane tank weight

6. Food

7. Cargo

Can A Motorhome Pull A Trailer?

Towing a trailer behind a motorhome is a great idea to add more space for sleeping or towing more toys. A motorhome can certainly pull a trailer depending on the weight of the trailer and the towing capacity the motorhome. It comes down to the calculations of weight of the trailer and the towing capacity of the motorhome.

The table below is a quick guide when it comes to the weight the motorhome can pull (and also the weight of the trailer). Though your personal situation will be a little different than what is listed here. Remember to check the weight & length legal limitations stated in your country/federal/state/local laws (see next section).

Motorhome Classes	Motorhome Weight (lbs)	Can Tow (lbs)	Be Wary Of	Things Usually Towed
Class A*	13,000-30,000	10,000-15,000	Length Restrictions	Tow-behind car
Class B	6,000-8,000	< 5,000	Weight Restrictions	Small/lightweight boats, ATVs motorcycles, snowmobiles, light campers
Class C**	10,000-12,000	5,000-10,000	Length & Weight restrictions	Some can pull boats, trailers or longer items (keeping within legal length restrictions)
Super Class C	10,000-50,000	Up to 40,000	Length & Weight restrictions	Pull boats & trailers at the same time (keeping within legal length restrictions)

*Heavier types with smaller engines won’t be able to pull much

**Small Class C may not be able to pull much; Usually shorter than Class A types, some are on heavy-duty truck chassis

Table below shows the average weights and GVWR for the different types of trailers (and should only serve as a guide—please check the actual Owner’s Manual):

Travel Trailer Classes	Trailer Type	Average Empty Weight (lbs)	GVWR (lbs)
Campers	Pop-up Camper Teardrop Trailer A-Frame Camper Small Travel Trailer Large Travel Trailer Fifth Wheel Camper	2300 1700 1700 2800 6700 12700	2700-4000 2000-4000 2500-3600 1900-4500 6300-10500 17000-2000
Utility Trailers	Small Open Utility Trailer Small Enclosed Utility Trailer Large Enclosed Utility Trailer	700 1000 2700	1000-3000 2000-7000 4000-10000
Toy Hauler		7600	14700-22500
Other Trailers	Canoe / Kayak Trailer Jet Ski Trailer Motorcycle Trailer Fishing Boat Trailer Tow Dolly Car Trailer Large Boat Trailer Small Horse Trailer Large Flatbed Trailer Dump Trailer Gooseneck Flatbed Trailer 72 Large Livestock Trailer	200 300 500 600 600 1900 2200 2900 3000 6700 7200 7300	200-800 800-3000 1300-3500 900-6000 3000-5000 6000-15000 5400-34400 7000-8000 2900-26000 3000-30000 15900-36000 14000-24000

What Is The Best Way To Tow A Car Behind A Motorhome?

When it comes to towing a car behind a motorhome, there are a couple of ways to do so: Flat, dolly or on a trailer. The best way for most RVer’s to tow a car is with a tow dolly or flat towing due to the weight and function, though each has advantages and disadvantages for each method. It really comes down to your situation. While Car trailers are great for car enthusiasts that want to protect their car, it is not as functional for most RVers. Here’s a list of advantages and dis-advantages for each of the towing methods below.

Towing Type	Advantage	Dis-Advantages
Flat	Light weight Almost any motorhome can tow Adds very little weigh to towing the towing vehicle – 100 lbs Low cost for the tow bar Minimum fuel usage added due to the light weight Easy storage when not in use	Not all cars can be towed flat  Additional wear to the vehicles tires and bearings. Modifications need to be made to the vehicle – baseplate install Max vehicle weight is 5000 Adds milage to vehicle odometer.
Tow Dolly	Only front wheel cars can be towed Does not add more length to the total towing length Low cost No modifications needed on the vehicle	Not all rear wheel drive can be towed Can add up to 1000 lbs more to the towing Vehicle needs to be below 5000 lbs – small and mid sized vehicles. Need space for storage when not in use
Trailer (open car hauler)	Any car can be towed No wear on the vehicle Some protection to the vehicle	Adds more weight to the total tow (2000 lbs) Moderately Expensive $5000 to Adds more cost to fuel consumption Extra length makes it more difficult to park and tow
Enclosed Car trailer	Any vehicle can be towed Protects the vehicle from the elements Can store other items in the enclosed trailer No wear on the vehicle	Heavy – 2,500 to 3,000 lbs Expensive over $10,000 Adds extra cost to towing the vehicle Large size makes it difficult to park and tow

Conclusion

With all this in mind, I’m hoping this article helps get your motorhome and trailer all set for the trip ahead as it serves as a guide to towing with a motorhome. It can seem daunting, especially if you’re new to this, but it isn’t as scary as it seems.