# Can I tow a camper? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [February 16, 2024, 12:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-tow-a-camper/194389 "2024-02-16T12:22:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![instock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/22d042/32.png) [@instock](https://community.cartalk.com/u/instock)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2024, 9:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-tow-a-camper/194389/21 "2024-02-16T21:59:38Z")
I’m terrified because I have no idea what I’m doing. If it was a little utility trailer in the next town over, it would be a fun project and I could be the big hero who shows up with the truck. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2024, 10:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-tow-a-camper/194389/22 "2024-02-16T22:01:57Z")
Then the answer is don’t do it. Your brother has other options. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2024, 10:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-tow-a-camper/194389/23 "2024-02-16T22:36:20Z")
There is almost always a solution to most any problem, and lucky enough in your brothers case, U-Haul has many different size solutions to chose from… ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2024, 10:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-tow-a-camper/194389/24 "2024-02-16T22:44:04Z")
Just to be contrary I think it first depends on the trailer weight. I had a 2000# camper without brakes and towed with rwd, and fwd on freeway, through hills, on snow etc. with no problems. True they were v8 or v6 but still, 90 miles is not very far. You simply make allowances and drive and stop steady. Loading weight to the front to avoid fish tailing and avoiding high winds is more important. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2024, 10:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-tow-a-camper/194389/25 "2024-02-16T22:48:26Z")
> [@davesmopar](#): > > There is almost always a solution to most any problem Brother might borrow the truck while the OP is asleep. ---
**Author:** ![asemaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@asemaster](https://community.cartalk.com/u/asemaster)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2024, 1:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-tow-a-camper/194389/26 "2024-02-17T01:07:42Z")
> [@bing](#): > > Just to be contrary I think it first depends on the trailer weight. I had a 2000# camper without brakes Well, yeah. The OP stated it was a 21 ft trailer. Unless the trailer has been gutted the weight will be around 4000lbs. There’s a **ton** of difference between 2000 and 4000 lbs. 😀 ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2024, 5:44am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-tow-a-camper/194389/27 "2024-02-17T05:44:27Z")
> [@MikeInNH](#): > > It’s law in most states that anything you’re towing weighs more than 3,000lbs needs to have trailer brakes. Rented a skid steer, 6k lbs with trailer, trailblazer was 5500 lbs rated, had an extra connection under the hood for trailer brakes, never connected, mostly flatland but no mention in MN. Moving 18 cy of sand to the beach, stopping a little slow on 1 big hill but all went well. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2024, 6:51am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-tow-a-camper/194389/28 "2024-02-17T06:51:30Z")
Geez. I rented one too but the guy said I couldn’t pull it wit the car. Paid an extra $10 for delivery. Less than five miles. They used a pick up. ---
**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2024, 7:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-tow-a-camper/194389/29 "2024-02-17T07:27:25Z")
> [@instock](#): > > I’m terrified because I have no idea what I’m doing. In that case it doesn’t matter what the truck is capable of, you shouldn’t do this. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2024, 1:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-tow-a-camper/194389/30 "2024-02-17T13:24:21Z")
> [@Barkydog](#): > > Rented a skid steer, 6k lbs with trailer, Was that a walk behind, cause the average weight is 7500# not counting the trailer… But yes I know they do make some small ones also… lol ---
**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2024, 3:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-tow-a-camper/194389/31 "2024-02-17T15:17:08Z")
> [@instock](#): > > I’m terrified because I have no idea what I’m doing. You think you’re terrified now, wait until all heck breaks loose towing something close to the limits with unknown hardware and no brakes. I’ve had things go wrong towing under the best circumstances. Something you’ll never forget that’s for sure… ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2024, 6:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-tow-a-camper/194389/32 "2024-02-17T18:17:24Z")
No no, a regular bob cat. I’ve rented several over the years and a ditch witch once and a d7 dozer. ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2024, 8:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-tow-a-camper/194389/33 "2024-02-17T20:37:19Z")
> [@davesmopar](#): > > Was that a walk behind, No, a regular sit in the cab type. **RT-25** - Operating Weight 3755 lbs | 1703 kg Plus trailer and 48-inch Dirt Bucket ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/9/9/99a77c39c9c2f5b9f4dc1749461d19ad54100eef.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 12:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-tow-a-camper/194389/34 "2024-02-18T00:47:11Z")
OK thanks, that makes more since now, it is a compact small design, one up from a walk behind… _The RT-25 is the world’s most compact track loader. The smallest machine of its kind, the RT-25 features superior suspension, minimal ground pressure and maximum productivity._ But it looks perfect for small jobs around the house… ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 1:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-tow-a-camper/194389/35 "2024-02-18T01:46:43Z")
In 76, my neighbor owned the equipment rental place. When I was doing my outside railing he brought over a hammer drill for drilling concrete free of charge. I’ve been a good customer ever since. Terrified though is getting on a d7, going down the hill and finding out they don’t have brakes. Put the blade down son. ---
**Author:** ![LoudThunder](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/loudthunder/32/27769_2.png) [@LoudThunder](https://community.cartalk.com/u/LoudThunder)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 5:56am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-tow-a-camper/194389/36 "2024-02-18T05:56:12Z")
One final thought and most folks do not think of this when considering the weight of a trailer. What is inside, are the water tanks full, what about the gray and black water tanks? Did they add extra furniture to the trailer; the sundry items, dishes, pots and pans, storage cabinets full of can goods. What about the closets, clothing, shoes, and boots. And perhaps the worse places to look are the under floor storage bins accessable only from the outside… They often include tools, jacks, lawn furniture, umbrellas, tents, fire wood, and maybe even stones for bricks to build an outdoor fire pit… A 3.000 pound trailer can easily weigh 10,000 pound when fully loaded and that is way above it’s carry limit, let alone the tow capacity of your little truck… ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 3:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-tow-a-camper/194389/37 "2024-02-18T15:18:00Z")
> [@texases](#): > > If you end up doing this, make sure everything is taken out of the trailer’s cabinets and that the water/waste tanks are empty. Easy to add lots of pounds to a trailer. The 21’ trailers I checked are around 4,000 lbs empty, so you wouldn’t have much room to spare. @texases thought of it two days ago. ---
**Author:** ![LoudThunder](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/loudthunder/32/27769_2.png) [@LoudThunder](https://community.cartalk.com/u/LoudThunder)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 9:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-tow-a-camper/194389/38 "2024-02-18T21:36:39Z")
> [@jtsanders](#): > > thought of it two days ago. I am sorry, I call myself “LoudThunder” but I did not mean to steal your “Thunder…” Yes you did mention it and I missed it as I glanced through all the postings. I saw so many posting about engine size and brakes, etc… andI was thinking about how I use to pack my trailer and did not worry about the weight as it had adequate brakes and I was pulling it with a full-size Dodge Ram 2500 with Diesel… Mia Culpa… 5 lashes with a wet noodle… L 🙄 L . . . ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2024, 10:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-tow-a-camper/194389/39 "2024-02-18T22:09:31Z")
Everybody has a different risk tolerance. I pulled a tree limb down with my car once too. Broke the rope a couple times but got it down. You use was you have to do what ya have to do. ---
**Author:** ![TheWonderful90s](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thewonderful90s/32/29584_2.png) [@TheWonderful90s](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TheWonderful90s)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2024, 3:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-tow-a-camper/194389/40 "2024-02-19T03:24:15Z")
> [@jimkoe329\_179295](#): > > I test drove a Ford chassis Class C with a the 300 c.I. I bought a 460 c.I. Instead. The 300 is detuned to get people to buy the larger engine! It’s only about 155 horsepower, but it would be 170 if was set for full ignition timing advance. There’s an add on you can buy that will boost it to 170 something just by advancing the timing. Even though it is computer controlled, they have it set to perform like mechanical ignition from the 70s. The 300 will also have no problem doing 200 HP with force air induction! [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-tow-a-camper/194389.md?page=1) [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-tow-a-camper/194389.md?page=3)