What types of RVs will work with my Matrix?

With your 1,200 lbs safe towing capacity, you're looking at a great selection of travel trailers, fifth wheels, toy haulers, and pop-up campers. We've put together a list of compatible RVs on our site — take a look and see what catches your eye.

2011 Toyota Matrix S Towing Capacity

Q: How much can I actually tow with my 2011 Toyota Matrix S?

Your 2011 Toyota Matrix S can tow up to 1,500 lbs according to the manufacturer. But here's our advice: stay around 80% of that (about 1,200 lbs) for a much better towing experience. You'll have room for hills, headwinds, and those unexpected moments on the road.

Q: What about payload — how much stuff can I put in the truck?

You've got 0 lbs of payload capacity. That's everything that goes IN your truck: passengers, camping gear, coolers, and don't forget — the tongue weight from your trailer counts too. It adds up faster than you'd think!

Q: What kind of hitch do I need for my Matrix?

For your 1,500 lbs towing capacity, you'll want a Class II hitch. Make sure whatever hitch you buy is rated for the weight you're actually planning to tow — not just the minimum.

2.4L I4 • 158 HP • 162 lb-ft

(5-Door) • FWD

Test in Tow Calculator Add to My Garage

Max Towing

1,500 lbs

Class II Hitch

0 lbs

Payload

162 lb-ft

Torque

Gas

Fuel Type

0 lbs

GVWR

View Specs

Fuel Economy

EPA 21/28/24

Light Tow 18 mpg

Heavy Tow 13.2 mpg

~317 mi

See RVs I Can Tow

Light Duty Towing Class

At 1,500 lbs, you'll want to stick with lighter trailers. We always recommend staying around 80% of your max (that's 1,200 lbs for you) — it's easier on your truck and gives you a safety buffer for hills and headwinds.

What Real Owners Get

We pulled data from 33 actual Matrix owners — they're averaging 24.0 mpg day-to-day. Once you hook up a trailer, expect somewhere between 13.2-18 mpg depending on what you're pulling.

Budget Your Trip

Let's say you're planning a 500-mile trip while towing. At 13.2 mpg, you're looking at roughly $121 in fuel. That works out to about $24 per 100 miles — handy to know when you're planning adventures.

RVs That Fit Your Truck

These all fall within your safe towing range of 1,200 lbs (we use 80% of max to give you breathing room)

20.3 MPG

2018 Forest River RV Cherokee 304r

1,100 lbs 8 35' 9"

See All Travel Trailers I Can Tow →

20.3 MPG

2014 Forest River RV Wildwood Heritage Glen F276rk

1,176 lbs 6 34' 3"

See All Fifth Wheels I Can Tow →

13.4 MPG

2012 Aliner Alite Base

1,000 lbs 2 9' 5"

12.0 MPG

2018 Livin Lite Quicksilver 6-0

1,200 lbs 3 10'

12.0 MPG

2016 Livin Lite Quicksilver 6-0

1,200 lbs 3 10'

12.0 MPG

2015 Livin Lite Quicksilver 6-0

1,200 lbs 4 10'

12.0 MPG

2014 Livin Lite Quicksilver 6-0

1,200 lbs 4 10'

12.0 MPG

2013 Livin Lite Quicksilver 6-0

1,200 lbs 4 10'

See All Expandable Trailers I Can Tow →

Recommended Towing Gear

Equipment recommended for 1,500 lbs towing capacity

Class II Hitch

Rated for up to 1,500 lbs

Shop Hitches →

Brake Controller

Required for trailers over 3,000 lbs

Shop Controllers →

Towing Mirrors

Extended visibility for safe towing

Shop Mirrors →

Specifications

Max Towing Capacity 1,500 lbs

Max Payload 0 lbs

GVWR 0 lbs

GCWR 0 lbs

Curb Weight 2,976 lbs

Hitch Class Class II

Cargo Capacity 20 cu ft

Engine 2.4L

Horsepower 158 HP @ 6000 rpm

Torque 162 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm

Transmission 5-speed manual

Drive Type Front Wheel Drive

Fuel Type Regular unleaded

Fuel Tank 13.2 gallons

Length 171.9"

Width 69.5"

Height 61.0"

Ground Clearance 5.3"

Other 2011 Toyota Matrix Configurations

View All Trims →

Configuration	Max Towing	MPG
2013 Toyota Matrix Base FWD	1,500 lbs	25.6 mpg	→
2013 Toyota Matrix Base FWD	1,500 lbs	25.6 mpg	→
2013 Toyota Matrix S FWD	1,500 lbs	25.6 mpg	→
2013 Toyota Matrix S FWD	1,500 lbs	25.6 mpg	→
2013 Toyota Matrix S AWD	1,500 lbs	25.6 mpg	→
2012 Toyota Matrix Base FWD	1,500 lbs	23.2 mpg	→
2012 Toyota Matrix Base FWD	1,500 lbs	23.2 mpg	→
2012 Toyota Matrix S FWD	1,500 lbs	23.2 mpg	→
2012 Toyota Matrix S FWD	1,500 lbs	23.2 mpg	→
2012 Toyota Matrix S AWD	1,500 lbs	23.2 mpg	→

Common Questions

How much can I actually tow with my 2011 Toyota Matrix S?

Your 2011 Toyota Matrix S can tow up to 1,500 lbs according to the manufacturer. But here's our advice: stay around 80% of that (about 1,200 lbs) for a much better towing experience. You'll have room for hills, headwinds, and those unexpected moments on the road.

What about payload — how much stuff can I put in the truck?

You've got 0 lbs of payload capacity. That's everything that goes IN your truck: passengers, camping gear, coolers, and don't forget — the tongue weight from your trailer counts too. It adds up faster than you'd think!

What kind of hitch do I need?

For your 1,500 lbs towing capacity, you'll want a Class II hitch. Make sure whatever hitch you buy is rated for the weight you're actually planning to tow — not just the minimum. A little overkill on the hitch is always better than not enough.

What types of RVs will work with my truck?

With your 1,200 lbs safe towing capacity, you're looking at pop-up campers and smaller travel trailers. We've put together a list of compatible RVs above — take a look and see what catches your eye.

What does GVWR mean and why should I care?

GVWR stands for Gross Vehicle Weight Rating — yours is 0 lbs. Think of it as the maximum your truck can weigh when it's fully loaded with people, gear, fuel, everything. Exceed it and you're putting extra stress on your brakes, suspension, and tires. Not worth the risk.

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