How to Determine Towing Capacity of a Truck and Best Vehicle to Flat Tow Behind a Motorhome

Question:

Can Sliverado 1500 pull a Cougar 25RKS Fifth Wheel 6400 lbs 1800 lbs carrying Capacity or Cougar 25RK 7035 lbs 2965 Carrying Capcity If we purchased a Class C what is the easiest vehicle to tow behind.

asked by: Ron S

Expert Reply:

The towing capacity of your Chevrolet Silverado 1500 will depend on the model year and other packages you may have. Check your owner's manual for listed capacities.

If you want to get as specific as possible find the gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of your truck on its spec label. Usually inside the driver's side door jamb. Then load your truck exactly how you would if you were going on a trip and towing the trailer. With the truck loaded weight it on a commercial scale. Then take the GCWR minus the weight. What you have left is what you can tow.

Determining the easiest vehicle to flat tow is kind of a loaded question. A lot of variables. When it comes down to it once a vehicle is setup with everything it needs to be towed they're all fairly easy. With that being said one of the most popular flat towed vehicles is a Jeep Wrangler. This might be too heavy for the Class C since many have a towing capacity of around 3,500 pounds.

Unless you get a Class C that's rated higher than that you'll probably be looking at small compact car like a Prius or Chevy Spark. Manual transmission vehicles are more likely to be able to be towed than automatics. I recommend finding a Class C you like and use it's towing capacity to find a car you want. Then check that car for restrictions on flat towing.

expert reply by: Charles S