About a decade ago, driven by the entrepreneurial spirit, I transitioned from a stable career in architectural design to launch my own firm and embrace a nomadic lifestyle in a travel trailer. This 1970s Airstream not only became my home but also ignited a passion that would shape my future. This journey led me to create Living Vehicle, a pursuit focused on crafting the most luxurious and self-sufficient off-grid living spaces imaginable.
Over the years, I’ve experienced various types of mobile living, both on land and sea. Among them, towing a travel trailer with a capable pickup truck stands out as my preferred method. While I’ve detailed my reasons for this preference elsewhere, the focus here is on the essential partner to any travel trailer: the tow vehicle. Unlike motorhomes, travel trailers require a separate vehicle for mobility. While there isn’t a single “perfect” truck for every Living Vehicle (LV), this article aims to illuminate the key factors that define the best trucks for towing travel trailers.
The Everyday Driver
One of the most compelling aspects of a towable travel trailer is its engine-less design. Unless you’re a full-time motorhome traveler, it’s likely to be the most expensive vehicle you seldom use.
My wife, Joanna, and I rely on our diesel truck as our daily driver, and it’s perfectly equipped to tow an LV while seamlessly integrating into our everyday lives. The versatility of a pickup truck is truly remarkable. It’s the most capable off-road vehicle I’ve owned, surprisingly maneuverable in urban environments, and comfortably accommodates up to five passengers (some models even six), along with ample gear and pets. And yes, it effortlessly tows a Living Vehicle.
The crucial point is that a great full-size pickup truck serves multiple purposes. Its practicality enhances our family life, offering ease of driving, capability, safety, and substantial power. In fact, Joanna and I operate as a one-vehicle household. Joanna primarily uses the truck, while I often opt for my electric bike for local errands and commuting. The truck adapts to various roles, seamlessly supporting our diverse needs. This adaptability as a daily driver is, in my opinion, the most fundamental characteristic of an exceptional heavy-duty truck. This is a versatility that a motorhome simply cannot match, as moving a motorhome necessitates relocating your entire living space.
While technical specifications, aftermarket upgrades, and trim levels are important considerations, the most vital aspect of your tow vehicle is its suitability as your everyday driver. Everyone in the family should feel at ease driving the truck, whether it’s hitched to a Living Vehicle or used independently. The subsequent points and considerations are presented through this lens, focusing on what constitutes the Best Truck For Towing an LV, while also being a practical daily vehicle.
Towing Requirements
The Living Vehicle lifestyle is built on intentional design. Our deep commitment to purpose-driven design enables us to prioritize and optimize specific features. Let’s clarify two key concepts:
- Compromise: Attempting to achieve two goals simultaneously, but falling short of fully meeting the needs of either.
- Focus: Identifying primary priorities and concentrating efforts accordingly, understanding secondary objectives, and so on.
At Living Vehicle, quality is always paramount. Our vision from the outset was to create the finest travel trailer the world had ever seen. We engineered Living Vehicle for enduring quality, designed to last for generations. The RV industry, unfortunately, has a long-standing reputation for producing subpar products. This was a primary motivation for creating LV – a belief that it was possible to build a mobile living space that epitomized quality.
Longevity & Lightweight = Cheap
This commitment to longevity ensures that an LV retains its value, and can even appreciate over time. Why do typical Recreational Vehicles depreciate by 50% within the first five years? For an RV owner, realizing their recent purchase will be worth half its value in just five years is a poor value proposition, and certainly not a sustainable investment. This depreciation trend is common with most automobiles, but it’s something I refuse to accept.
In a global market often driven by planned obsolescence and price competition, quality is often not the primary design focus within the RV industry. It’s almost ironic to see RV dealers touting “lightweight” as a positive attribute. While towing a lightweight trailer with an SUV may seem convenient, what compromises are being made?
Here’s a poorly kept secret within the RV industry: “lightweight” is often synonymous with “cheap.” Manufacturers market it this way, and unfortunately, it’s become normalized. People now expect to tow travel trailers with mid-sized SUVs. This focus on lightness sacrifices quality. With price as the driving factor, and by using inexpensive, “cardboard-like” materials to keep weight down, manufacturers can mass-produce RVs in vast quantities. Living Vehicle is fundamentally different.
Fortunately, the tow vehicle industry has made remarkable advancements in the last decade. All major truck manufacturers now produce incredibly capable and comfortable Heavy Duty (HD) tow vehicles, capable of towing well over 20,000 lbs.
When we embarked on designing the highest quality trailer for full-time living, we embraced weight as a positive attribute, engineering LV to complement modern heavy-duty (HD) trucks. We will never compromise on quality, because we have a clear understanding of our mission and the needs of our customers. With this as our guiding principle, we maintain unwavering focus.
Ram 3500 towing a Living Vehicle trailer
GVWR & Carrying Capacity
Living Vehicle models have a base weight ranging from 11,000 to 15,000 lbs., and an impressive 4,500 lb. carrying capacity. The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of a top-tier LV can exceed 18,000 lbs. If you plan to live in it full-time, ensure ample carrying capacity to accommodate everything you intend to bring, including LV gear, water, and recreational equipment – it all adds up quickly!
This simplifies the tow vehicle selection. LV is not designed for towing by SUVs or even half-ton trucks like the popular Ford F150 or Jeep Gladiator. Many lightweight trailers are available for those types of vehicles. If you are committed to keeping your family SUV or half-ton truck as your primary vehicle, then Living Vehicle is likely not the right choice for you. Modern heavy-duty trucks are mechanical marvels. “HD” refers to a truck category specifically engineered for towing and carrying substantial weight. These are classified as full-size trucks, such as the Ford F250+, Ram 2500+, GMC Sierra HD, and Chevy Silverado HD series. These are prime examples of HD pickup trucks. While even larger tow vehicles exist, they are generally unnecessary unless you simply prefer a very powerful truck.
Diesel Engines
HD tow vehicles are available with two engine types: gasoline and diesel. Diesel engines offer significant advantages, especially for towing. Diesel trucks are purpose-built for towing – it’s their primary function. They provide substantial low-end torque, optimized gear-axle ratios, and better fuel efficiency compared to gasoline engines. For towing an LV, a diesel engine is the clear choice. A gas-powered truck engine can significantly limit maximum payload and towing capacity. Don’t be swayed by the aesthetics or initial price of a gas truck. Focus on the performance numbers. You’ll find that diesel-equipped trucks consistently outperform their gas counterparts in key towing categories.
Full-Size Trucks Offer More
Historically, full-size, four-wheel-drive HD trucks were primarily utilitarian, designed for agricultural, construction, or commercial applications rather than luxury and daily driving comfort. Their focus was squarely on maximum towing capacity. However, recent years have witnessed a dramatic transformation in heavy-duty trucks, evolving into incredibly capable, comfortable, and even luxurious HD tow vehicles.
Our short-bed RAM 3500 perfectly illustrates this evolution. The interior feels remarkably like a luxury sedan, featuring premium leather, advanced electronics, a high-end sound system, and a striking Tesla-style vertical center dash screen – truly impressive! Beyond these features, it boasts luxury amenities such as automatic skylights, heated and cooled massage seats, and a wealth of technology. My daily driver and personal tow vehicle now feels more akin to a luxury car than a traditional HD truck, which I find incredibly appealing.
RAM Trucks
Although I currently drive a RAM, I don’t have a particular brand preference. While my favorites may vary year to year, I’m consistently impressed by the advancements across the heavy-duty truck industry as a whole. Whether it’s a Ford, RAM, GMC, or Chevrolet, every manufacturer is producing exceptional, luxurious, and highly capable vehicles. The good news is that you can hardly go wrong choosing from these brands. While I won’t endorse a specific truck brand, certain requirements must be met to effectively tow a Living Vehicle and meet your needs.
Maximum Towing Capacity
Let’s begin with towing capacity. Every heavy-duty truck manufacturer assigns a maximum towing capacity rating, indicating the maximum weight the truck can safely pull. Simply put, a fully loaded PRO model LV weighs 18,000 lbs., meaning the tow vehicle must be rated to pull at least 18,000 lbs. It’s that straightforward.
Modern trucks often exceed this number, and I always recommend incorporating a safety margin. Therefore, I strongly suggest selecting a tow vehicle with a towing capacity of 20,000 lbs. or greater, regardless of the specific LV model you choose. Towing capacity is paramount.
Max Payload Capacity
The next crucial specification is maximum payload capacity. This is another manufacturer-specified value that varies across truck models and configurations. Similar to towing capacity, there is no single payload capacity for a specific make, model, or trim. Each truck and model variant is unique. When choosing a tow vehicle, it’s essential to verify the payload capacity specific to the exact vehicle you are considering. Trucks are highly customizable, and no two are identical. Max payload refers to the maximum weight a tow vehicle can carry, including all gear, passengers, luggage in the cab, and cargo in the truck bed. This encompasses everything placed within the truck, including the hitch weight of the LV.
Hitch Weight
The hitch tongue weight, for an LV or any bumper-pull trailer, typically represents about 10 percent of the trailer’s total weight. So, for a loaded LV weighing approximately 15,000 lbs., the hitch weight would be around 1,500 lbs. The actual tongue weight can fluctuate based on cargo loading within the LV, but 10% is a reasonable starting point for estimation.
Considering a 1,500 lbs. hitch weight, plus a driver and three passengers (approximately 600 lbs.), and, say, 500 lbs. of additional gear, the total payload quickly reaches 2,600 lbs. Fortunately, modern tow vehicles are highly capable and offer payload capacities to handle this weight. This is why I recommend a minimum payload capacity of 3,000 lbs. to provide ample margin for cargo and ensure a safety buffer for heavier loads. For instance, our Ram 3500 boasts a payload capacity of around 3,700 lbs., more than sufficient for even a fully loaded PRO model LV.
Maximum Towing Capacities
Ultimately, these are the fundamental requirements for towing a Living Vehicle: a 20,000 lb. maximum towing capacity and a 3,000 lb. payload. Once these criteria are met, the exciting part begins – exploring the diverse range of models, trim levels, aftermarket accessories, and other options to personalize your ideal tow vehicle.
Next, I’ll delve into some of my preferred categories for customization. After all, I truly enjoy discussing trucks!
Bed Configuration
Trucks vary significantly in appearance and function, and one of the most visually distinct features, besides color, is the bed type. The truck bed is the open cargo area behind the cab, designed for carrying gear and equipment. The HD truck market offers a generally standardized bed length configuration, with two primary options: long and short. Historically, long bed trucks were designed to transport materials to and from job sites, most notably 4’x 8’ sheets of plywood. A true long bed, typically 8 feet in length, is designed for maximum cargo capacity and is a hallmark of a very capable work truck.
Short beds are only slightly shorter, typically ranging from 5 to about 6.5 feet. While the length difference may seem minor on paper, it significantly impacts drivability. Having owned both long and short-bed trucks, the choice ultimately depends on your priorities. If you intend to use your truck as a daily driver, as I recommend, a short bed offers superior maneuverability in tight spaces due to its shorter wheelbase, making parking and navigating urban environments much easier. The extra two feet of length in a long bed can make a noticeable difference in these situations. While long beds offer greater cargo capacity, unless you have specific, bulky cargo requirements, a short bed configuration is generally preferable for daily use. Importantly, there is typically no significant difference in towing or payload capacity between long and short-bed trucks.
Cab Size
Let’s now consider the cab, the enclosed area for occupants. Cab configuration is also relatively straightforward.
The truck industry generally offers regular and crew cab configurations. Regular cabs typically offer only two seats and no rear seating, suitable for work trucks but less practical for daily driving or family use. A crew cab adds two full-sized rear doors, similar to an SUV, and a bench seat (sometimes split) with generous legroom for family members and pets. I own a crew cab truck, and the rear space is exceptionally spacious and comfortable. At 6′ 5” tall, I fit comfortably in the back seat of most full-size crew cab pickup trucks.
Larger cab configurations, sometimes called super or mega cabs, offer even more rear passenger space and luxury. These provide enhanced comfort and exceptionally spacious rear seating. If you have a large family or plan to spend considerable time traveling in the truck, a larger cab configuration is highly recommended. Features like extended legroom and reclining seats significantly enhance passenger comfort. Mega cab RAM pickups, for example, offer more rear legroom than almost any SUV I’ve experienced – truly remarkable.
Aftermarket Equipment
While not essential, aftermarket enhancements and accessories are a compelling aspect of truck ownership. Several key upgrades can significantly improve the performance and quality of a full-size truck. I’ll share some of my preferred categories and personal choices as examples to guide your tow vehicle search.
Suspension – The primary drawback of full-size HD trucks is often their stiff suspension. This is understandable, as trucks designed to carry and tow heavy loads, including trailers, are not engineered for the smoothest ride in their stock configuration. However, significant options exist to improve ride quality. For example, the Ram 2500 series, with its rear coil springs, generally offers a smoother stock ride compared to some competitors. However, when customizing your truck for optimal payload and towing capacity, a Ram 2500 may not be sufficient.
Enter the formidable F350, a 1-ton, full-size tow vehicle. Specifically designed for towing heavy trailers, including fifth-wheel trailers, these trucks represent a significant leap in performance capability. The primary difference between an F250 and F350 is largely the suspension. Engine configurations are often similar across both models. The F350 is engineered to carry more weight, resulting in a considerably higher payload capacity. In a single rear-wheel configuration, F350 trucks commonly achieve payload capacities in the 3,000 to 4,000 lb. range, perfectly adequate for towing an LV and all your family’s gear. While I appreciate RAM trucks for their luxurious interiors, the F350 excels in raw towing and payload capability.
Trucks with dual rear wheels (dually) significantly increase payload capacity, but are generally unnecessary for towing a bumper-pull travel trailer like an LV. Dually trucks are primarily designed for gooseneck or fifth-wheel configurations, or for individuals who frequently haul extremely heavy loads in the truck bed while towing. For example, customers who carry full-size motorcycles in an 8′ bed while towing their LV might benefit from dual rear wheels. Regardless of wheel configuration, the rear suspension on HD trucks can be stiff for everyday driving. Aftermarket suspension upgrades are available to enhance both on-road ride quality and off-road performance, while maintaining factory towing specifications.
Wheels & Tires
Purpose-built wheel and tire combinations can dramatically improve the traction and performance of pickup trucks. I’ve always been particularly interested in tires. What began as an aesthetic preference evolved into a deeper understanding of how tires impact performance and ride quality. Wheel rims and tires are integral to the overall suspension and performance equation and require careful consideration. Crucially, any wheel and tire selection must maintain the factory payload rating. An aftermarket upgrade is only as strong as its weakest component, and if the tires cannot support the truck’s designed weight, the payload capacity is effectively reduced.
A full-size heavy-duty truck can easily accommodate 35” or 37” tires. Beyond aesthetics, larger tires increase the air volume between the road and the wheel rim. Combining a larger tire with an 18” wheel significantly improves small bump compliance and ride comfort.
Think about driving on the freeway and feeling those jarring concrete expansion joints, especially on bridges. That’s the type of impact larger tires can mitigate. Beyond ride comfort, appropriate tires enhance off-road performance, traction, and safety in rain and snow, ensuring confident towing in diverse conditions.
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LV Charging From Tow Vehicle
A significant advantage of a diesel pickup truck is the sheer power of its engine. These engines offer impressive low-end torque, optimized gear ratios, and abundant power reserves. This robust power can be leveraged to create a redundant electricity source to charge an LV’s onboard batteries.
Redundancy is a core principle of LV design. In critical situations, backup solutions are often the deciding factor between success and failure. While off-grid living may not be life-or-death, alternative power sources are essential for reliable and enjoyable experiences, especially during extended periods without sunlight or in shaded locations. Generators are another common method for generating electricity, using alternators to produce 120-volt power for appliances and battery charging. Considering the powerful diesel engine in your tow vehicle, it’s logical to explore a similar power generation method. The energy integration option available for every LV provides this capability.
While a standard 7-pin connector on a tow vehicle provides a minimal amount of power for trailer running lights and brakes, the power demands of an LV are far too substantial for this to be a viable charging source. Therefore, we engineered a dedicated, powerful solution: energy integration.
We designed a specialized alternator that can be installed in the tow vehicle’s engine compartment. This alternator is specifically tuned to complement the LV’s energy system, providing rapid charging whenever the truck is running and connected to the LV. When selecting a tow vehicle for energy integration, a key requirement is that the engine configuration has only one factory alternator, as space is needed to install the secondary LV-specific alternator for this package. It’s a straightforward and highly effective system.
Tips for Finding the Best Truck for Towing a Travel Trailer
(This section could be expanded into a bulleted list summarizing key considerations for brevity and readability, but maintaining paragraph style as per original article)
When searching for the best truck for towing your travel trailer, keep these tips in mind: Prioritize heavy-duty trucks (F250/2500 and above) for sufficient towing and payload capacity. Diesel engines generally offer superior towing performance compared to gasoline engines due to increased torque and fuel efficiency. Ensure the truck’s towing capacity exceeds your trailer’s GVWR by a comfortable margin (recommend at least 20,000 lbs. for larger travel trailers). Verify the payload capacity is adequate for passengers, cargo, and the trailer’s tongue weight (aim for at least 3,000 lbs.). Consider a short-bed configuration for enhanced daily driving maneuverability. Crew or mega cabs provide ample passenger space for families and comfortable travel. Explore aftermarket suspension and tire options to improve ride quality and handling while maintaining payload capacity. If off-grid capability is a priority, consider diesel trucks and LV’s energy integration package for redundant charging.
The Future of Electric Tow Vehicles
The future of transportation is undeniably electric. Tesla has revolutionized the automotive market in recent years, introducing high-performance and increasingly accessible electric vehicles. As we progress through the 2020s, electric tow vehicles are emerging on the horizon. With numerous established and startup truck manufacturers competing to bring electric tow trucks to market, it’s only a matter of time before electric trucks become the new industry standard for towing.
Living Vehicle is committed to creating fully electric, self-sustaining mobile living spaces. A key part of this vision is seamless integration with an electric tow vehicle. Looking at an LV roof, you’ll see a substantial solar panel array. Our vision is to generate enough solar power to not only power the Living Vehicle but also the electric tow vehicle itself. Imagine a truck-trailer combination that eliminates the need for fuel, gas stations, or even charging stations – this is our vision for the future, and it’s becoming a tangible reality.
As we move toward electric pickup truck integration, the industry trajectory is becoming clearer. Most electric truck development currently focuses on the half-ton category, mirroring the popular F150 and 1500 series trucks. This is a natural progression, with electric vehicles initially focusing on cars, then SUVs, and now light-duty pickup trucks. Once electric truck specifications are finalized and their true towing and payload capabilities are confirmed, electric tow vehicles will become a mainstream reality.
The Tesla Cybertruck appears to offer promising towing capabilities and could be a natural fit for LV. Other electric truck models are emerging with varying specifications, but definitive assessments must wait until final production models and specifications are released. Regardless, the electric tow vehicle market is incredibly exciting, and I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to use an electric truck to tow an LV and continue shaping the future of mobile living.
Final Thoughts
Pickup trucks have been a significant part of my life since college. From my construction background and mountain living, to renovating trailers and establishing an architectural firm focused on mobile living, tow vehicles are deeply ingrained in my experiences. I am consistently impressed by the ongoing evolution, capability, and performance of modern heavy-duty tow vehicles, and excited about the shift towards electric power. Whether you choose a gas or diesel engine, today’s trucks and tow vehicles are remarkable feats of engineering. I hope this article, drawing on my experiences, provides valuable insights into one of my favorite subjects, and perhaps sparks a similar interest in you – trucks! I wish you the best in your search for the best towing truck for your travel trailer adventures.
