Start with the trailer
Which trucks can tow my trailer?
Enter what your trailer weighs loaded (its GVWR is the safe number to use). We search every manufacturer chart row on file and list the smallest trucks that clear it, the exact setup to look for, and the payload your truck’s door sticker has to show. Payload is the limit most people hit first.
Quick starts: Small camper (3,500 lb) · Boat on trailer (5,000 lb) · 26-ft travel trailer (7,500 lb) · Car hauler, loaded (10,000 lb) · Mid fifth-wheel (13,000 lb) · Large fifth-wheel (18,000 lb)
Conventional rating needed
18,000 lb
At or above your loaded trailer weight.
Door-sticker payload needed
2,875 lb
2,340 lb tongue weight (13% of the trailer, assumed) plus 535 lb of people, cargo and hitch gear. Check the yellow Tire and Loading label on the actual truck.
Searched
10,620
conventional chart rows from 2015–2026. Trucks without transcribed chart rows for those years are not listed.
9 trucks clear 18,000 lb, smallest first
“Look for” is the lowest-rated setup that still clears your trailer in the newest qualifying year. It is usually the most affordable way in. Every rating needs the equipment named in its chart row.
3/4-ton · qualifies in 7 model years, 2020–2026
Look for (2026): 6.7L I6 CUMMINS HO TURBO DIESEL · Crew Cab · 8'0" · 4WD · 3.42 axle · RAM 2500 4X4 CREW CAB LARAMIE 8'0" BOX — rated 18,170 lb, GCWR 26,580 lb.
With this trailer, that GCWR leaves 8,580 lb for the loaded truck (curb weight, people, cargo and hitch).
56 of 244 2026 chart rows clear it (23%), so the right equipment matters: most trucks on the lot will not qualify. Best: 20,000 lb.
All qualifying 2026 rows →Check payload margin
- Your trailer uses
- 99%
- of the “look for” rating
3/4-ton · qualifies in 10 model years, 2017–2026
Look for (2026): 7.3L gas V8 · Regular Cab · 8-foot · 2WD · 141.6 in WB · 4.30 axle — rated 18,200 lb, GCWR 26,000 lb.
With this trailer, that GCWR leaves 8,000 lb for the loaded truck (curb weight, people, cargo and hitch).
2 of 4 2026 chart rows clear it (50%). Best: 22,000 lb.
All qualifying 2026 rows →Check payload margin
- Your trailer uses
- 99%
- of the “look for” rating
3/4-ton · qualifies in 7 model years, 2020–2026
Look for (2026): 6.6L Duramax turbo diesel V8 · Crew Cab · 6-ft 9-in · 2WD · 159 in WB · Max Trailering Package — rated 20,000 lb.
4 of 10 2026 chart rows clear it (40%). Best: 20,000 lb.
All qualifying 2026 rows →Check payload margin
- Your trailer uses
- 90%
- of the “look for” rating
3/4-ton · qualifies in 6 model years, 2020–2026
Look for (2026): 6.6L Duramax V8 · Crew Cab · Standard · 2WD · Max Trailering Package — rated 20,000 lb, GCWR 30,000 lb.
With this trailer, that GCWR leaves 12,000 lb for the loaded truck (curb weight, people, cargo and hitch).
1 of 1 2026 chart rows clear it (100%). Best: 20,000 lb.
All qualifying 2026 rows →Check payload margin
- Your trailer uses
- 90%
- of the “look for” rating
1-ton · qualifies in 12 model years, 2015–2026
Look for (2026): 7.3L V8 · SuperCab · 8' Box · 4WD · 164.2 in WB · 3.73 axle — rated 18,000 lb, GCWR 25,200 lb.
With this trailer, that GCWR leaves 7,200 lb for the loaded truck (curb weight, people, cargo and hitch).
63 of 73 2026 chart rows clear it (86%). Best: 28,000 lb.
All qualifying 2026 rows →Check payload margin
- Your trailer uses
- 100%
- of the “look for” rating
1-ton · qualifies in 12 model years, 2015–2026
Look for (2026): 6.7L Power Stroke Turbo Diesel V8 High Output · Regular Cab · 8' Box · 2WD · 141.6 in WB · 4.30 axle — rated 18,200 lb, GCWR 48,000 lb.
With this trailer, that GCWR leaves 30,000 lb for the loaded truck (curb weight, people, cargo and hitch).
9 of 9 2026 chart rows clear it (100%). Best: 30,000 lb.
All qualifying 2026 rows →Check payload margin
- Your trailer uses
- 99%
- of the “look for” rating
1-ton · qualifies in 8 model years, 2018–2026
Look for (2026): 6.4L V8 HEMI UPGRADE HD · Regular Cab · 8'0" · 2WD · 4.10 axle · RAM 3500 4X2 REG CAB TRADESMAN 8'0" BOX DRW; trans 8HP75 — rated 18,250 lb, GCWR 25,000 lb.
With this trailer, that GCWR leaves 7,000 lb for the loaded truck (curb weight, people, cargo and hitch).
7 of 101 2026 chart rows clear it (7%), so the right equipment matters: most trucks on the lot will not qualify. Best: 23,000 lb.
All qualifying 2026 rows →Check payload margin
- Your trailer uses
- 99%
- of the “look for” rating
1-ton · qualifies in 12 model years, 2015–2026
Look for (2026): 6.6L Duramax turbo diesel V8 · Regular Cab DRW · 8-ft · 2WD · 142 in WB — rated 20,000 lb.
12 of 14 2026 chart rows clear it (86%). Best: 20,000 lb.
All qualifying 2026 rows →Check payload margin
- Your trailer uses
- 90%
- of the “look for” rating
1-ton · qualifies in 11 model years, 2015–2026
Look for (2026): 6.6L Duramax V8 · Regular Cab · Long · 2WD · Dual rear wheels, Max Trailering Package — rated 20,000 lb, GCWR 43,900 lb.
With this trailer, that GCWR leaves 25,900 lb for the loaded truck (curb weight, people, cargo and hitch).
1 of 1 2026 chart rows clear it (100%). Best: 20,000 lb.
All qualifying 2026 rows →Check payload margin
- Your trailer uses
- 90%
- of the “look for” rating
Use GVWR, not dry weight
Brochure dry weights leave out water, propane, batteries and gear. The trailer’s GVWR is the most it can legally weigh, so it is the safe planning number.
Payload runs out first
A 7,500 lb travel trailer at 10–15% tongue weight puts 750–1,125 lb on the hitch. Add two adults and gear and many half-tons are at their door-sticker payload well before their tow rating.
Ratings need the equipment
Chart ratings assume the listed engine, axle ratio, cab, bed and tow package. A truck without them is rated lower. Check the actual truck’s window sticker or build sheet.