Your truck says it can tow 12,000 lbs. Your trailer weighs 7,000 lbs. Should be fine, right? Not so fast. The number that actually limits most RV owners isn't towing capacity—it's payload capacity. And confusing these two numbers is one of the most dangerous mistakes you can make.
These two numbers determine whether you can safely tow your RV. Confusing them is one of the most common—and dangerous—mistakes new RV owners make.
Key Takeaway
Towing capacity = what your truck can pull behind it. Payload capacity = what your truck can carry inside and on it—including the tongue weight from your trailer. Most people run out of payload before they run out of towing capacity.
Quick Comparison
| Factor | Towing Capacity | Payload Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| What it measures | Weight your vehicle can pull | Weight your vehicle can carry |
| Includes | Trailer + everything in/on trailer | Passengers, cargo, tongue weight, fuel |
| Typical half-ton range | 7,000 – 14,000 lbs | 1,500 – 2,500 lbs |
| Which runs out first? | Rarely the limiting factor | Usually the bottleneck |
| Where to find it | Window sticker, owner's manual | Door jamb sticker (most accurate) |
Why These Numbers Are Connected
Here's what catches people off guard: your trailer's tongue weight comes directly out of your payload capacity.
When you hook up a travel trailer or fifth wheel, the hitch pushes down on your truck. That downward force—called tongue weight or hitch weight—counts as cargo your truck is carrying, not pulling.
10-12%
of trailer weight transfers to your truck
Example: 6,000 lb travel trailer = 600-720 lbs hitting your payload
15-20%
of trailer weight transfers to your truck
Example: 12,000 lb fifth wheel = 1,800-2,400 lbs hitting your payload
Real-World Example: 2024 Ford F-150
Let's see how this plays out with one of America's most popular tow vehicles:
Vehicle Specs
- Max Towing: 11,500 lbs
- Payload Capacity: 1,800 lbs
Trailer Specs
- Loaded Weight: 7,000 lbs
- Tongue Weight (10%): 700 lbs
Towing Check
7,000 of 11,500 lbs
61% — PASS
Payload Check
Only 1,100 lbs remaining
TIGHT
After accounting for the 700 lb tongue weight, you only have 1,100 lbs of payload left for:
- Driver and passengers (150 lbs each, so 4 people = 600 lbs)
- Gear in the truck bed or cab
- Fuel (full tank of gas = ~150 lbs)
- Anything else in or on the truck
Add a family of four and a cooler, and you're already at the edge of your payload limit—even though you're well under your towing capacity.
Which One Limits You First?
For most RV owners, payload is the bottleneck—not towing capacity.
Here's why this surprises people: Truck manufacturers advertise massive towing numbers ("Tow up to 14,000 lbs!") but payload capacity is much smaller and harder to find.
Half-Ton Trucks
Payload runs out first with most travel trailers over 5,000 lbs
Fifth Wheels
Almost always payload-limited due to high tongue weight percentage
Full Families
4-5 passengers quickly eat into payload before you add any gear
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Check Both Limits in Seconds
MintRV's tow calculator checks your towing capacity AND payload capacity automatically. Just select your truck and RV to see if they're compatible—with a built-in safety margin.
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