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RV & Boat Tow Weight Estimator

The RV & Boat Tow Weight Estimator predicts how heavy a camper or boat will be from its type and length. It multiplies length by an average weight per foot, adds gear and water (plus a trailer for boats), then adds a 10% margin to give the minimum towing capacity your vehicle should have.

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How this tool works

Choose RV or Boat, pick a type and enter the length in feet. RV dry weight = length × weight per foot: travel trailer 250 lbs, fifth wheel 325, pop-up 125, toy hauler 350, teardrop 150. Loaded weight adds gear and water: ×1.2 for travel trailers and fifth wheels, ×1.15 for pop-ups, ×1.25 for toy haulers and ×1.1 for teardrops.

Boat hull weight = length × weight per foot: fishing 100 lbs, pontoon 150, ski/wake 200, cabin cruiser 350, center console 175. A typical trailer weight for the type (800–1,500 lbs) is added to get dry weight, and loaded weight adds 15% to the hull for fuel and gear. For both RVs and boats, minimum tow capacity = loaded weight × 1.1.

Limitations: these are averages by type and length. Actual weight varies by manufacturer, construction and options, so check the unit's weight label or weigh it before choosing a tow vehicle.

RV and boat weight estimates by length

Estimated RV and boat tow weights by type and length, calculated with the RV & Boat Tow Weight Estimator formula
TypeLengthLbs per ftDry weightLoaded weightMin. tow capacity
RV · Travel Trailer20 ft2505,000 lbs6,000 lbs6,600 lbs
RV · Travel Trailer28 ft2507,000 lbs8,400 lbs9,240 lbs
RV · 5th Wheel30 ft3259,750 lbs11,700 lbs12,870 lbs
RV · 5th Wheel38 ft32512,350 lbs14,820 lbs16,302 lbs
RV · Pop-Up Camper12 ft1251,500 lbs1,725 lbs1,898 lbs
RV · Pop-Up Camper16 ft1252,000 lbs2,300 lbs2,530 lbs
RV · Toy Hauler26 ft3509,100 lbs11,375 lbs12,513 lbs
RV · Toy Hauler34 ft35011,900 lbs14,875 lbs16,363 lbs
RV · Teardrop10 ft1501,500 lbs1,650 lbs1,815 lbs
RV · Teardrop14 ft1502,100 lbs2,310 lbs2,541 lbs
Boat · Fishing Boat16 ft1002,400 lbs2,640 lbs2,904 lbs
Boat · Fishing Boat21 ft1002,900 lbs3,215 lbs3,537 lbs
Boat · Pontoon20 ft1504,200 lbs4,650 lbs5,115 lbs
Boat · Pontoon24 ft1504,800 lbs5,340 lbs5,874 lbs
Boat · Ski / Wake Boat20 ft2005,000 lbs5,600 lbs6,160 lbs
Boat · Ski / Wake Boat23 ft2005,600 lbs6,290 lbs6,919 lbs
Boat · Cabin Cruiser26 ft35010,600 lbs11,965 lbs13,162 lbs
Boat · Cabin Cruiser30 ft35012,000 lbs13,575 lbs14,933 lbs
Boat · Center Console21 ft1754,675 lbs5,226 lbs5,749 lbs
Boat · Center Console26 ft1755,550 lbs6,233 lbs6,856 lbs

Boat dry and loaded weights include the estimator's typical trailer weight for that boat type. Minimum tow capacity = loaded weight × 1.1.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a 28-foot travel trailer weigh?

The estimator puts a 28-ft travel trailer at about 7,000 lbs dry, using 250 lbs per foot, and 8,400 lbs loaded with gear and water. With a 10% safety margin, it recommends a tow vehicle rated for at least 9,240 lbs.

How much does a boat and trailer weigh?

For a 21-ft fishing boat, the estimator calculates a 2,100-lb hull plus an 800-lb trailer, or 2,900 lbs dry. With fuel and gear it reaches 3,215 lbs, so look for at least 3,537 lbs of towing capacity. Pontoons and cabin cruisers weigh more per foot.

Why does a fifth wheel weigh more than a travel trailer of the same length?

The estimator uses 325 lbs per foot for fifth wheels versus 250 lbs for travel trailers, so a 30-ft fifth wheel estimates at 9,750 lbs dry compared with 7,500 lbs for a 30-ft travel trailer. Fifth wheels also need a bed-mounted hitch.

What is the 10% safety margin in the estimate?

After estimating loaded weight, the tool multiplies it by 1.1 to give a minimum towing capacity, so weight you didn't account for won't put you over your limit. For more headroom, keep trailer weight under 80% of your rating, as our Can I Tow This? calculator checks.

Does the estimate include water, fuel and gear?

Yes. For RVs, the loaded figure adds 10–25% to dry weight for gear and water, depending on type. For boats, it adds 15% to the hull weight for fuel and gear, and the trailer weight is added unchanged. Check the unit's actual cargo capacity on its label.

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