Man Buys 15,000-Pound RV, Tries to Tow It with GMC Canyon—Dealer Says Truck’s Towing Capacity Falls Far Short

A man purchased a fifth-wheel RV weighing between 15,000 and 16,000 pounds and subsequently planned to buy a GMC Canyon AT4X pickup truck to tow it. He spotted a light-colored GMC Canyon AT4X at Crump Reese Auto in Tremonton, Utah, and called the sales representative, Bam, to inquire. Bam confirmed that the vehicle was indeed a Coastal Dune edition AT4X but immediately clarified that its maximum towing capacity was only 6,250 pounds—far below what would be required to safely tow the customer’s RV. He advised the customer to consider the heavier-duty GMC Sierra HD instead, emphasizing that using the Canyon to tow such a heavy trailer would not only be impossible but also illegal. Initially skeptical, the customer questioned whether Bam was exaggerating the limitations simply to push a more expensive model. Bam reiterated the truck’s Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) limit and highlighted the nearly 10,000-pound gap between the vehicle’s capability and the customer’s needs. The customer said he would verify the specifications himself and, if accurate, would visit the dealership the next day to look at larger-capacity models. According to industry sources, towing an RV in the 15,000-pound range requires a heavy-duty pickup such as the GMC Sierra HD, Ford Super Duty, Ram HD, or Chevrolet Silverado HD. Exceeding a vehicle’s towing capacity can void warranties, accelerate mechanical wear, significantly increase the risk of accidents, and potentially lead to civil or even criminal liability.