How to choose the right RV or Trailer for your existing vehicle is a weighty issue. The decision comes down to weight – with a few other factors thrown in.

Before we start, let’s talk about some of the most common brands of trailers that can be towed by your vehicle. When beginning your search, be sure to watch for these brands, as they are usually popular amongst RVers and towers. Most of these brands make models that can be towed with a car, truck, minivan, or even hatchback.

• Dutchmen
• Keystone
• Forest River
• Airstream
• Jayco
• Winnebago

Can my Car Haul an RV or Trailer?

Yes, but only if the combined weight of the RV/Trailer does not exceed the towing vehicles GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating), which is the total weight your vehicle can tow. A good rule of thumb is to stay under 80% of your max towing capacity. The weight of the RV/Trailer is also named GVWR and can be found on our website under the vehicle specifications. Shop our large inventory using our RV Search feature!

Where can I find my Vehicles Towing Capacity?

Start your quest to find the right trailer for your vehicle in the glove box where most vehicle owner’s manuals are stored. Look for the “Vehicle Towing Capacity” in the manual. This is the manufacturer’s specification of the weight the vehicle is designed to tow. Choosing a trailer that exceeds your vehicle’s towing capacity will stress the vehicle’s engine, transmission, and brakes beyond their design limits.

While you’re cruising the vehicle owner’s manual, take note of the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). The GVW is the actual weight of your car or truck. Next look for the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or GVWR. The GVWR is the sum of the vehicle’s weight and the maximum load it can safely carry.

Smaller, lighter cars are not designed to tow at all, and that will be stated in the owner’s manual. If you aren’t able to find this information, talk to one of our experts by filling out our contact form.

Where can I find the weight of an RV/Trailer?

As you continue your search for a trailer you can tow with your vehicle, search by the numbers. First, look for the “Gross Trailer Weight” (GTW). The GTW is what the trailer will weigh under fully-loaded conditions, including your gear, food and filled fresh and grey water tanks. On larger RVs, look for the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, the maximum the camper and its load are allowed to carry.

You may also see a “Base Curb Weight” (BCW) number while trailer shopping. The BCW is the weight of the trailer as it is delivered, with factory equipment and all required lubricants. Some dealers may also advertise an RV’s “Dry Weight” or unloaded, not fully equipped weight. These are nice-to-know numbers, but should not factor into your purchasing decision, as you will never tow a completely empty trailer or RV.

Unless the trailer you’re considering is homemade, it will have a Vehicle Identification Number or VIN, plate installed somewhere. The plate will include the trailer’s serial number as well as the trailer’s loaded and unloaded weights. An RV’s specification sheet will provide its GVWR.

Tongue Weight

Tongue Weight (TW) is the downward pressure that the tongue of a fully-loaded trailer puts on the hitch ball on your vehicle. In a properly loaded trailer, the TW should be about 10 percent of the loaded weight of the trailer. The Tongue Weight adds to the overall Gross Vehicle Weight of your vehicle.

Adding it up

When you add the weight of your vehicle, GVW — including the tongue weight — together with the GTW of the trailer or GVWR of the RV you’re considering, make sure the result does not exceed your vehicle’s Gross Combination Weight Rating. This is the maximum combined weight that your car or truck can handle for safe operation.

Cars and Trailers That Can Tow a Trailer

Compact and subcompact cars are best towed behind an RV rather than being the tow vehicle, although a handful are up to the task of hauling up to 2,000 pounds with the proper towing package. If your compact car is rated for towing, then look for a trailer with its own electrical braking system to spare the wear and tear on the vehicle. Consider lightweight teardrops, micro-campers, or the smallest, lightest utility trailers.

In general, a mid-size car and some family minivans or smaller SUVs may have the capacity to tow up to 3,500 pounds, or a small, lightweight camper, pop-up trailer, very small boat on a trailer or a utility trailer.

To get you started, here are a few of the most common cars and trucks that can easily tow!

• Ford F-150
• Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD
• Ram 3500 Heavy Duty Pickup
• Nissan Titan

Cars

• Jeep Renegade
• Hyundai Santa Fe
• Chrysler Pacifica
• GMC Terrain
• Honda CR-V

Small to mid-sized pick-ups and some sturdier SUVs, depending on the make and model, may have the capacity to tow a bumper-pulled family camper, boat trailer or small toy hauler. All-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive vehicles will have a greater towing capacity than comparable 2-wheel Drive vehicle.

It’s also important to think about horsepower when choosing the right towing vehicle. It’s critical to remember that you also need a good amount of torque to get the load moving. (Horsepower keeps it moving and how fast you can move.)

Many larger travel trailers, fifth wheels, and toy haulers can have a gross vehicle weight of more than 12,000 pounds fully loaded and require a heavier duty truck that is equipped for towing.

Do the math

It is important to do the math before shopping for a trailer or RV. Trying to tow more than your vehicle can handle might lead to dangerous and expensive problems including brake failure, blown tires, a broken suspension or overheated transmission.

Rely on the trusted professionals at Crossroads Trailer Sales to assist you in finding a travel trailer that your vehicle can safely tow and enjoy for many seasons.

Buying a used RV is no minor decision, but is an incredibly smart move because it saves you so much money. That’s why they’re such a great option out there for a wide range of customers. But, that doesn’t mean every used RV you come across will be a great buy. Some older rigs don’t have the necessary technology for today, and they might not be up to par as far as safety goes. The staff here at Crossroads Trailers is ready to help you find the right one for you and your family.

Some RVers like the idea of buying an older or used RV because they feel they were constructed better and withhold more weathering than newer models in addition to being less expensive. Or, people buy them because they are particular to a specific brand or year and don’t mind to spend the money to renovate or refurbish. These are all great ways of thinking about used RVs, but it’s still important to do your research and be well informed on whichever used RV you plan to purchase.

There are many things to consider when shopping for a used RV. There are a lot of things that can go wrong, so it’s important to be armed with as much information as you can on the process of buying a used motorhome. Below, we discuss a few things to consider when looking at used RVs, and we talk about what to know before purchasing one.

Things to consider when looking at used RVs

Used RVs and trailers still won’t exactly be cheap, but they’ll easily be less expensive than their new counterparts. New RVs depreciate around 10 percent the minute they’ve driven off the lot, so buying used automatically saves you money.

There are other ways you can benefit from buying a used RV, besides saving lots of money. The previous owners may have already repaired any problems or issues they’ve had, and they may have even conducted a bit of premeditated maintenance in case something was about to happen. It’s also normal for them to have added any some homey touches, like more storage, spice racks or an extra mirror in the bathroom.

When shopping used RVs, be sure the rig isn’t too old. Some parks and campgrounds have restrictions on the age. If you plan to visit luxurious resorts, be sure your RV isn’t too vintage. And, the older an RV gets, the more wear and tear it accumulates, which can mean multiple and/or expensive repairs down the road. If you don’t want to waste the money you saved from buying used immediately on repairs, do a thorough walk through and look for any water damage or mold along any walls and inside cabinets.

However, if vintage is what you’re going for, then have at it! Older RVs have such character and personality about them that it’s hard not to fall in love with one.

If you decide to buy a used RV, be sure you go to a trusted RV dealership in your area (or even out of your area) that you know will be honest with you. The most important thing is to do your research before settling on anything at all. If you don’t, you might end up with a rig that doesn’t fit your needs or a hefty payment that simply isn’t worth it.

Do an in-person tour before you buy

It’s easy for sellers to hide any imperfections of an RV by simply not uploading photos of them online. Because of this, it’s critical to tour the RV in person before you make any decisions. The seller should be more than happy to accommodate this request, but if not, your best bet is to walk away. Any hesitancy here should raise a red flag that something is seriously wrong with the rig and they aren’t telling you.

Remember – if you buy the RV from a private seller, it’s automatically your responsibility for repairs. It doesn’t matter if it’s two or twenty years old.

If you’re unsure about the quality or uncomfortable looking it over yourself, you can always have it professionally inspected. Take it to your local RV dealer and have them do a full inspection. Since it’s not their RV and they aren’t trying their best to sell it, you’ll get a more objective inspection, too. If this isn’t an option, another thing to do is look for RVs that have already been inspected by the dealer and received a seal of approval.

Look for any signs of mold or water damage

Even if you don’t see any immediate signs of water damage on the interior of the rig, mold usually means there are leaks and other plumbing issues. Take a flashlight with you and open up all the cabinets, check the walls, corners, the caulking in the bathroom, and every nook and cranny you can to ensure there isn’t mold or signs of leakage. If the cabinets or closets feel warm, it’s a possibility there’s mold growing.

Check the roof

Gently walk on the roof of the rig and make sure it’s sturdy and doesn’t give. If you can feel too much give, it might be rotting.

Closely inspect the floors

Similarly, to the roof, you’ll want to make sure there isn’t too much give on the floor. Walk heavily or even jump in a few spots to test for yourself. Make sure you don’t see any brown spots, as these are never a good thing to see.

We hope this helps you on your search for the perfect used RV. Come see us and our stock of used RVs today!

If you’re someone who looks forward to escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday life every now and then, a fifth wheel may be the right purchase for you. It’s a great option for those who still need their vehicle once their trailer is parked. Even if you’re just looking for an RV to use on a few weekends or for side trips, a fifth wheel could be your best bet. If this sounds like you, keep reading for everything you need to know before purchasing a fifth wheel.

What is a fifth wheel?

In the simplest of terms, a fifth wheel is an RV that tows in the bed of a truck. It’s easy to get these confused with other RVs, like travel trailers, but those are towed with a hitch on the back of the vehicle. A gooseneck hitch is an option if you don’t want a hitch in the bed of your truck but still want a fifth wheel. These are easier to travel with and often safer than travel trailers because they won’t sway or swing as much when you’re driving. Fifth wheels also have a better turning radius because of where they’re hitched, so they’re a popular choice amongst RVers that prefer to have their daily driver separate from their motorhome.

How will you use it?

Once you’ve decided you’re going to purchase a fifth wheel, the next thing to think about is how you’re going to use it. Will it only get used on weekends? Just during the summer? Or, do you plan to use it full time in the of the forest with no hookups? Whatever you’re using it for should be your buying guidelines. Knowing its exact purpose will also help you decide how much you want to spend on your fifth wheel and help filter out any unnecessary (or necessary) add-ons or features.

Don’t forget about weight!

Before you purchase your dream fifth wheel, make sure you have enough power in your truck for the best balance, safety, and ease of towing. The best way to find out is by knowing the weight of the fifth wheel. Some can weigh up to 14,000 pounds, so it’s important to know how much weight your truck can handle. Towing a fifth wheel that’s too heavy for your truck could be detrimental.

Smaller and lightweight fifth wheels can be towed by small or midsized trucks. These are great for those who are looking to take some weekend trips and don’t need much living space. Midsize and full trailers will offer more amenities and living space, but they demand a more powerful vehicle.

You’ll also need to factor in any additional weight once you load your fifth wheel with water and personal items. They add up quickly, so be sure to save 2,000 pounds or so for these items when shopping for a fifth wheel.

If you’re looking to buy a new truck to haul your new RV, a diesel truck should be an option. Gas normally costs less than diesel and maintenance on a gas vehicle is normally cheaper, but a diesel might save you more money over time. They have more towing capacity because of the torque they’re putting out, and they tend to last longer.

Fifth Wheel Interior

RV floor plans have gotten spacious and luxurious over the years, and fifth wheels are no exception. Each manufacturer will have multiple floor plans to choose from so they can cater to a wider range of needs for RVers. It’s up to you to determine which amenities you can’t live without and which ones you can pass on. This goes back to the purpose of the RV. What are you buying your fifth wheel for? Lots of floor plans come with as many as slide outs, but if you’re RVing by yourself or with just one other person, you probably don’t need the extra space.

It’s best to walk through the fifth wheel yourself to get a sense of available space and features.

Fifth Wheel Exterior

Newer fifth wheels are finished with shiny fiberglass that’s made to withstand the test of time and the elements. Some have rubber rooftops attached and others come with ramps and garages to tow and store toys.

Because of the way they’re built and the way they tow, fifth wheels are safe to carry a lot of weight without swaying or being unbalanced.

How much do Fifth Wheels cost?

A fifth wheel can range anywhere from $2,000 to $200,000. That’s a really wide range that gives you lots of options, like choosing the size, floorplans, weight, and any special features or amenities. Of course, older, used models are going to be on the less expensive end, and that might be what you’re looking for if you’re new to RVing and want to try it out first before splurging on a nicer model. What’s important is that you’re happy with your purchase, because regardless of the price, an RV purchase isn’t something to be taken lightly. It’s a large responsibility with unimaginable worth once you realize all the opportunities you’ll be able to seize with an RV.

Is a fifth wheel right for me?

Fifth wheels are great for many reasons, which is why they’re one of the more popular RV models. They’re a great start for newbies because they’re easy to tow and maneuver, they tend to have more living space than motorhomes, especially models with slide outs, and if your truck needs repairs while on the road, you’ll still have your living space to use.

It also doesn’t matter if you’re on the road full time or if you want an RV just for the weekend or seasonal trips. The RV lifestyle is about having fun and being carefree. Fifth wheels give you the convenience of traveling in your own vehicle that detaches in no time and gives you the comforts of home out on the open road.

What’s your favorite part about owning a fifth wheel? Let us know down in the comments!