Other years: 2015 - 2016 - 2018

Welcome to our exclusive one-of-a-kind web page showing a quick review of the best 2017 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, Std.=Standard 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	11,945	11,582	11,680
Conventional	12,195	11,832	11,930

* 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.
** Requires Heavy Duty Payload Package with 17" wheels.
† Requires Heavy Duty Payload Package with 18" wheels.

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. 2017 Ford F150 towing guide.

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

Starting with the 2018 Ford F-150, Ford no longer provides towing capacity information for fifth wheel towing. In fact, the towing specs online only lists maximum conventional towing.

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	2430*	2,160*	2,000*	2,080*
GCWR	15,000	18,200*	17,700	18,200
GVWR	6,800	7,400*	7,400*	7,400*
GVW (Curb Wt.)	4,796	5,216*	5,374*	5,295
TWR	9,800	12,500*	11,900*	12,500
Realistic towing capacities are provided by RV Tow Check
5th Wheel	6,345	7,245	6,455	6,850
Conventional	9,719	12,499	11,841	12,420

* With NHT (Max Trailering Package) Note: The 2017 brochure provides some 5th wheel tow ratings. - 2017 Silverado 1500 Specs.

Ram 1500 **

Cab/Drive	Std. Cab 4X2	QC 4X2	CC 4X2	Std. 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	1,790	1,680	1,510
GCWR	15,950	15,950	15,950	14,750
GVWR	6,600	6,900	6,900	6,600
GVW (Curb Wt.)	4,896	5,107	5,218	5,095
TWR	10,640	10,420	10,310	9,210
Realistic towing capacities are provided by RV Tow Check
5th Wheel	4,845	5,290	4,735	3,850
Conventional	10,158	10,358	9,974	8,499

** Ram does not provide 5th wheel tow ratings this truck. 2017 Ram 1500 towing guide.
Transmission model A6 65RFE was selected. The A8 8HP70 transmission tows less.

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	2,080	1,695	1,700
GCWR	16,000	16,000	16,000
GVWR	7,000	7,000	6,900
GVW (Curb Wt.)	4,920	5,300	5,170
TWR	10,500	10,100	10,300
Realistic towing capacities are provided by RV Tow Check
5th Wheel	6,725	4,825	4,975
Conventional	10,595	10,124	10,345

** Toyota does not provide 5th wheel tow ratings this truck. 2017 Tundra brochure

Nissan Titan XD Diesel

Cab/Drive	S 4X2 CC	SV 4X2 CC	SL 4X2 CC	Platinum
Box Length (feet)	6.5	6.5	6.5	6.5
Wheelbase (inches)	151.6	151.6	151.6	151.6
Engine (diesel)	5.0L V8	5.0L V8	5.0L V8	5.0L V8
Gear Ratio	3.916	3.916	3.916	3.916
Payload (1)	2,080	2,080	2,080	2,080
GCWR	19,450	19,450	19,450	19,450
GVWR	8,822	8,822	8,822	8,822
GVW (Curb Wt.)	6,710	6,875	7,111	7,202
TWR Gooseneck	N/A	11,900	11,900	11,900
TWR Conventional	12,310	12,310	12,310	12,310
Realistic towing capacities are provided by RV Tow Check
Gooseneck (2)	N/A	7,310	6,130	5,675
Conventional	12,255	12,090	10,216	9,458

(1) Payload with gooseneck hitch is reduced to 1,930 pounds.
(2) Since the gooseneck hitch is standard equipment, we did not add the 5th wheel hitch. If a 5th wheel hitch is added, include its weight in the "Gear/Cargo & Misc." entry on the RV Tow Check calculator.

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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.