Other years: 2015 - 2017 - 2018

Welcome to our exclusive one-of-a-kind web page showing a quick review of the best 2016 one-half ton trucks that includes the important tow rating details. Additional tow rating resources for other vehicles is found in the "Tow Ratings" menu above.

Important Notes:

1. The vehicles shown below are base models with the highest capacity, and without all the bells and whistles.
2. Therefore, any fancy half-ton truck's tow ratings will be less than what is shown below.
3. As truck weight increases, the towing capacity will decrease, such as going from a 4X2 to a 4X4 model.
4. Selecting optional gear ratio within the same vehicle will result in significant towing capacity changes. See examples of this on the one ton truck page.
5. We did our best to present similar trucks within each style.
6. Realistic towing capacities are provided by RV Tow Check (RVTC set at 12% TW and 20% PW.)
7. For RVTC, we calculated additional load as follows: 5th wheel hitch—checked, cargo=150 lbs, two passengers=335 lbs.

WARNING! Never tow more than the manufacturer's published rating found in the vehicle owner's manual. Always ensure the hitch system meets the minimum towing weight of the trailer towed and it complies with the manufacturer's requirements.

Notice:
1. All rating information has been taken from published information provided by the manufacturer. Always verify vehicle ratings with the dealer. Ratings are subject to change by the manufacturer without notice. There may be slight differences between manufacturer's online views and PDF files.

2. CC=Crew Cab, DC=Double Cab, QC=Quad Cab

(Updated 2/12/17 to reflect RVTC 3.0)

Ford F150

Cab/Drive	Regular Cab 4X2	SuperCab 4X2	SuperCrew 4X2
Box Length (feet)	8	8	6.5
Wheelbase (inches)	141.1*	163.7	156.8
Engine	3.5 EcoBoost V6	3.5 EcoBoost V6	3.5 EcoBoost V6
Gear Ratio	3.73	3.73	3.73
Payload	3,240	2,950	2,890
GCWR	17,100	17,100	17,100
GVWR	7,850	7,850	7,850
GVW (Curb Wt.)	4,420	4,738	4,685
TWR	12,000	11,700	11,700
Realistic towing capacities are provided by RV Tow Check
5th Wheel	11,995	11,677	11,700
Conventional	12,000	11,700	11,700

* FWS does not recommend this short wheelbase truck for 5th wheel towing and one would be wise not tow a TT too long in length.

Pay close attention to the GVWR. After visiting a local Ford dealership, the highest GVWR F150 on the lot like one of the models above was 7,050 lbs. Example: The SuperCrew above with the 7,050 lbs. GVWR, the RVTC drops to 8,400 lbs. for 5th wheel. We strongly recommend that any F150 with less than a GVWR of 7,850 lbs. should never be considered for towing any kind of fifth wheel trailer.

Real F150 Owners Towing 5th Wheel

Here are two weight safety reports and a message from F150 owners who tows a fifth wheel. #1 Weight Safety Report #2 Weight Safety Report #3 Message from F150 owner

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 **

Cab/Drive	Reg. Cab 4X2	DC 4X2	CC 4X2	CC 4X2
Box Length (ft)	8	6.5	6.5	5.7
Wheelbase (in)	133	143.5	153	143.5
Engine	5.3L V8	6.2.L V8	6.2L V8	6.2L V8
Gear Ratio	3.42	3.42	3.42	3.42
Payload	1,950	2,140*	1,990*	2,070*
GCWR	15,000	17,700	17,700*	17,700*
GVWR	6,800	7,400*	7,400	7,400*
GVW (Curb Wt.)	4,821	5,235*	5,382*	5,222
TWR	9,800	12,000	11,900*	12,000
Realistic towing capacities are provided by RV Tow Check
5th Wheel	6,470	7,465	6,665	7,465
Conventional	9,694	11,980	11,833	11,993

* With NHT (Max Trailering Package) - ** Chevrolet does not provide 5th wheel tow ratings for this truck. One owner's manual states: "This model is neither designed nor intended to tow fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailers." - 2016 Silverado 1500 Specs.
2015 & 2016 Silverado 1500 rated tow test by TheFastLaneTruck.com (3.23 ratio)

Ram 1500 **

Cab/Drive	Reg. Cab 4X2	QC 4X2	CC 4X2	Reg. Cab 4X2
Box Length (feet/inches)	8'	6'4"	6'4"	8'
Wheelbase (inches)	140.5	140.5	149.5	140.5
Engine	5.7L V8 Hemi	5.7L V8 Hemi	5.7L V8 Hemi	3L V6 eDiesel
Gear Ratio	3.92	3.92	3.92	3.92
Payload	1,700	1,800	1,690	1,510
GCWR	15,950	15,950	15,950	14,750
GVWR	6,600	6,900	6,900	6,600
GVW (Curb Wt.)	4,900	5,100	5,211	5,095
TWR	10,640	10,390	10,330	9,210
Realistic towing capacities are provided by RV Tow Check
5th Wheel	5,075	5,575	5,020	4,100
Conventional	10,124	10,365	10,033	8,499

** Ram does not provide 5th wheel tow ratings this truck. 2016 Ram 1500 towing guide.
Transmission model A6 65RFE was selected. The A8 8HP70 transmission tows less.
Ram 1500 rated tow test by TheFastLaneTruck.com

Toyota Tundra **

Cab/Drive	SR Reg. Cab 4X2	SR5 DC 4X2	SR5 DC 4X2
Box Length (feet)	8.1	8.1	6.5
Wheelbase (inches)	145.7	164.6	145.7
Engine	5.7L V8	5.7L V8	5.7L V8
Gear Ratio	4.3	4.3	4.3
Payload	2,060	1,695	1,715
GCWR	16,000	16,000	16,000
GVWR	7,000	7,000	6,900
GVW (Curb Wt.)	4,940	5,305	5,185
TWR	10,500	10,100	10,300
Realistic towing capacities are provided by RV Tow Check
5th Wheel	6,875	5,050	5150
Conventional	10,500	10,083	10,249

** Toyota does not provide 5th wheel tow ratings this truck. 2016 Tundra brochure

Nissan Titan XD (diesel)

Cab/Drive	S 4X2	SV 4X2	SL 4X2	Pro4X 4X4
Box Length (feet)	6.5	6.5	6.5	6.5
Wheelbase (inches)	151.6	151.6	151.6	151.6
Engine	5.0L V8	5.0L V8	5.0L V8	5.0L V8
Gear Ratio	3.916	3.916	3.916	3.916
Payload	2,091	1,924	1,674	1,733
GCWR	19,455	19,455	19,455	19,455
GVWR	8,800	8,800	8,800	8,990
GVW (Curb Wt.)	6,709	6,876	7,126	7,257
TWR	12,314	12,164	11,915	11,784
Realistic towing capacities are provided by RV Tow Check
5th Wheel	7,030	6,195	4,945	5,240
Conventional	12,261	11,991	9,908	10,399

See more reviews on the Titan XD HERE.

2016 Nissan Titan XD Specs

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Additional notes:

1. Conventional trailer tongue weight should be 10% to 15% of total loaded trailer weight and not exceeding the installed hitch assembly. The addition of trailer tongue weight must not cause vehicle to exceed rear gross axle weight rating (RGAWR) or gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).
2. Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight should be 15% to 25% of total loaded trailer weight. The addition of trailer kingpin weight cannot cause vehicle to exceed rear gross axle weight rating (RGAWR) or gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).
3. The towing vehicle's brake system is rated for operation at the GVWR - NOT GCWR. Separate functional brake systems should be used for safe control of towed vehicles and for trailers weighing more than 1,500 lbs. when loaded.
4. These ratings can be found on the certification label located on the driver door or door frame.
5. Read "Before You Buy RV..." for additional information.