A lightweight camper is any travel trailer with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) under 3,500 pounds and a dry weight often below 2,800 pounds, making it towable by many mid-size SUVs, crossovers, and minivans without requiring a heavy-duty truck. These campers are designed for buyers who want a dedicated sleeping and kitchen space without…
The U-Haul tow dolly is a rental trailer that lifts the front (driven) wheels of a front-wheel-drive vehicle off the ground while the rear wheels roll on the road. It handles vehicles up to 5,290 lb GVWR, weighs about 1,050 lb empty, and uses surge brakes — no electric brake controller needed on your tow…
A locking hitch pin costs less than $20 and is the single cheapest thing you can do to keep your trailer from rolling away without you. But most RV owners buy the wrong one—wrong diameter, weak metal, or a lock that seizes after one winter. Here’s how to pick one that actually works, plus the…
The maximum towing capacity of a Ford F‑150 can range from 5,000 to over 14,000 pounds depending on the configuration. But the number on the brochure is rarely the real limiter — your truck’s payload rating is what actually determines how much trailer you can safely tow. Ignoring payload is the most common reason owners…
The maximum towing capacity for a Ford Ranger ranges from 7,500 lbs (2019 and newer models with the factory tow package) to about 5,600–7,700 lbs depending on year and configuration. But here’s the failure mode most owners hit: they load up passengers and gear, then find the truck is over its GVWR before the trailer…
The Ford F-150 can tow up to 13,500 lbs when properly equipped (2023 model, 3.5L EcoBoost, Max Trailer Tow Package, 3.55 axle). That number sells trucks, but it won’t keep you safe on the road. For RV towing, payload capacity is the real constraint — and it maxes out long before that headline number. Your…
A trailer brake controller is the device in your tow vehicle that tells your trailer’s electric brakes when and how hard to apply. Without one, your truck or SUV’s own brakes have to stop the combined weight of vehicle plus trailer — a recipe for overheating, longer stopping distances, and loss of control. Federal law…
The Toyota Sequoia can tow up to 9,000 pounds on paper, but the number that actually matters for RV owners is payload—and that’s where most people get into trouble. The factory tow rating assumes a bare truck with one 150‑pound driver and nothing else. Load up your family, gear, and a travel trailer, and you’ll…
GVWR stands for Gross Vehicle Weight Rating — the maximum total weight a fully loaded vehicle can safely carry, including itself, passengers, cargo, fluids, and (if towing) the tongue weight of a trailer. For RV owners, GVWR is the single most critical number because it dictates how much gear you can bring without exceeding your…