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Ryan OlbryshAutomotive and Driver
We’re dwelling within the age of the posh pickup. Today’s trucks, each large and small, are extra luxurious, extra comfy, and have extra gizmos and cutting-edge expertise than ever earlier than. But none of that issues when there is a powerful job that wants doing.
Towing capability has all the time been a significant a part of a pickup’s enchantment. It is like high velocity for supercar followers. The larger the quantity, the higher the bragging rights. But a hefty towing capability is not there merely to spice up the ego of the pickup proprietor or the truck’s producer, it serves as a snapshot of the truck’s engineering and functionality.
Here is our record of recent pickups with the very best towing capability. They’re ordered by towing capability, starting with the bottom and shifting upward to the very best. We have highlighted the utmost typical towing scores right here, but additionally point out gooseneck or fifth-wheel scores when acceptable.
Commercial – Proceed Studying Beneath
Ford Maverick | 4000 kilos
The Ford Maverick is considered one of solely two entries within the compact pickup section. These little vehicles are geared towards higher gasoline economic system and a decrease beginning worth than they’re towing. The Maverick comes customary with a 191-hp inline-four hybrid and front-wheel drive. This base powertrain can tow as much as 2000 kilos. Entrance- or all-wheel drive Mavericks utilizing the 250-hp turbocharged inline-four can tow as much as 4000 kilos when geared up with the 4K Tow bundle, a $745 possibility.
Hyundai Santa Cruz | 5000 kilos
The illuminated entrance grille on the Hyundai Santa Cruz units it aside from any truck on this record. It appears to be like nothing like the opposite choices, and but regardless of its compact stature, it matches bigger vehicles in at the least a few of its functionality. A 191-hp inline-four engine with an eight-speed automated is customary. So is front-wheel drive, a four-door physique type, and a roughly four-foot-long mattress. Max towing for that mannequin is 3500 kilos, surpassing base Ford Mavericks by 1500 kilos and matching the front-wheel-drive Honda Ridgeline. To tow heavier hundreds, you will need the Santa Cruz with all-wheel drive and the 281-hp turbocharged inline-four with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. That additionally matches the potential of the all-wheel drive Ridgeline, at 5000 kilos.
Honda Ridgeline | 5000 kilos
The Honda Ridgeline affords mid-size pickup appeal with the experience of the crossovers and SUVs it shares its chassis with, just like the Honda Pilot. The Ridgeline, which is simply obtainable in crew-cab configuration with 4 doorways, comes with a 3.5-liter V-6 with 280 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque at 4700 rpm. Consequently, the Ridgeline’s tow scores do not set the world on hearth. With all-wheel drive now customary, the Ridgeline has a max towing capability of 5000 kilos. And sure, that’s the similar tow ranking you will get with the Pilot.
Nissan Frontier | 6720 kilos
Recent from an overdue revamp, the Nissan Frontier will get down the street courtesy of a 310-hp 3.8-liter V-6 and nine-speed automated transmission. It makes use of the identical ladder-type body because the earlier Frontier, however with stronger mounting factors for the suspension, new bump stops, and hydraulic physique mounts that higher insulate the cab from street noise. Its 3.8-liter V-6 makes 281 pound-feet of torque at 4400 rpm, and the most affordable Frontier occurs to be one which tows essentially the most. An Prolonged cab rear-wheel-drive Frontier S can tow as much as 6720 kilos, whereas the least quantity the Frontier will pull is 6270 in PRO-4X guise. That is 20 kilos greater than the max towing capability of the last-gen Frontier, nevertheless.
Toyota Tacoma | 6800 kilos
It wasn’t way back that the Toyota Tacoma had the mid-size truck market virtually all to itself. Now there’s competitors from Chevy, GMC, Ford, and Jeep, they usually all tow greater than the Tacoma. With its customary 159-horsepower four-cylinder, the Toyota can solely pull 3500 kilos. Its 278-hp 3.5-liter V-6 with 265 pound-feet of torque improves these numbers to between 6400 and 6800 kilos, relying on the truck’s configuration. The Entry Cab 4×2 can tow essentially the most. Most fashions get an ordinary six-speed automated, which is about as antiquated as a landline phone. Those that favor to shift for themselves can be comfortable to know Toyota nonetheless affords the V-6 with a six-speed guide.
Ford Ranger | 7500 kilos
The Ford Ranger midsize pickup is powered solely by a gas-fed 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Rated at 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, it comes paired with the identical 10-speed automated transmission used within the bigger F-150. Whereas it does not tow as a lot weight as some direct rivals, it is not far behind. Each Ranger, together with 2WD and 4WD variants, has a most tow ranking of 7500 kilos. That is solely 200 kilos lower than the not too long ago up to date Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon, and greater than the Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma.
GMC Hummer EV | 7500 kilos
Given its dimension and energy, the GMC Hummer EV looks like the type of truck that may tow quite a bit. Nicely, you would be flawed. With a max tow ranking of 7500 kilos, even GMC’s mid-size Canyon can out tow this behemoth. Nonetheless, it managed to tow a 6100-pound camper 140 miles on a full cost—additional than both the Rivian R1T or Ford F-150 Lightning. Credit score the Hummer EV’s huge 212.7-kWh battery pack for this feat, and never the truck’s effectivity.
Jeep Gladiator | 7650 kilos
The Jeep Gladiator is obtainable with a stout turbo-diesel V-6, however that is not the place you will discover the very best towing capability. Gladiators utilizing the three.6-liter naturally aspirated V-6, which is shared with the Wrangler, tow essentially the most. It makes 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque at 4400 rpm and might be had with a six-speed guide transmission, although an eight-speed automated is non-obligatory. Similar to the Wrangler, each Gladiator has four-wheel drive. With the guide, this Jeep has a most tow ranking of 4500 kilos, however the Gladiator Sport mannequin can pull as much as 7650 kilos when geared up with the automated. That quantity drops to 7000 kilos for the off-road-oriented Rubicon mannequin.
Chevrolet Colorado | 7700 kilos
The Chevrolet Colorado will get an entire makeover for the 2023 mannequin yr. Gone are the non-obligatory turbo-diesel inline-four and gas-fed V-6 engines. Additionally getting the heave-ho, fortunately, is the outdated six-speed automated discovered within the earlier mannequin. An eight-speed automated takes its place and works in cooperation with a turbocharged 2.7-liter inline-four that produces wherever from 237 to 310 horsepower, and as much as a most of 430 pound-feet of torque. To uncork the Colorado’s full 7700 kilos of towing capability means choosing the Z71 or Path Boss trims, every of which comes with the stronger iteration of the turbo four-cylinder. Gross sales of the 2023 Colorado start in early 2023.
The GMC Canyon is the dual to the Chevrolet Colorado. So, simply because the Colorado is totally up to date for the 2023 mannequin yr, so is the Canyon. Below the hood is a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder coupled with an eight-speed automated and selection of rear- or four-wheel drive. Just like the Colorado, the 2023 Canyon has jettisoned its earlier V-6 and Duramax Diesel powertrains. Regardless of having just one engine obtainable, towing capability stays the identical with this turbo inline-4. Output ranges from 237 horsepower as much as 301 hp in increased trims. When correctly geared up, the Canyon Elevation, AT4, and Denali trims ship a class-leading 7700 lb. towing capability.
Nissan Titan | 9323 kilos
Each Nissan Titan is powered by Nissan’s long-serving 5.6-liter V-8 that, when fed 91-octane premium gasoline, produces 400 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. Should you fill the tank with 87-octane gasoline, the engine’s output is dialed again to 390 hp and 394 pound-feet. Working with a nine-speed automated, the Titan can tow as much as 9320 kilos. Have in mind, the Titan XD is a heavy-duty model of Nissan’s full-size truck, which is why it is listed individually in these rankings. It is also price noting the Titan and Titan XD are the one vehicles that provide a gooseneck trailer hitch customary on every part above the bottom trim degree.
Nissan Titan XD | 10,920 kilos
The Titan XD is about 15 inches longer and three inches taller than the common Titan and has a 151.6-inch wheelbase. Most significantly, at the least if you happen to’ve acquired heavy stuff to maneuver, it might probably tow extra. The Titan XD is powered by the identical 5.6-liter V-8 present in the usual Titan pickup. This implies output rings in at 400 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque, and the engine is paired to a nine-speed automated. You are not precisely spoiled for alternative, because the Titan XD is obtainable solely as a 4×4 crew cab with a 6.5-foot mattress. With its customary gooseneck hitch, the Titan XD and tow as much as 11,060 kilos.
Rivian R1T | 11,000 kilos
For now, the Rivian R1T is essentially the most tow-friendly electrical truck obtainable immediately due to its max towing capability of 11,000 kilos. Anticipate this electrical truck’s driving vary to endure when used this fashion, although. We strapped a 6100-pound camper to the R1T and solely made it 110 miles on a full cost—greater than 200 miles lower than the truck’s unladen EPA-rated vary.
Toyota Tundra | 12,000 kilos
The Toyota Tundra full-size pickup has lastly been given the instruments wanted to face an opportunity towards opponents just like the Ford F-150, Ram 1500, and Chevrolet Silverado. Recent from a significant redesign, the Tundra’s base powertrain is now a 389-hp twin-turbo 3.4-liter V-6 coupled to a 10-speed automated. A 437-hp hybrid model of this powertrain is on the market, although the Tundra’s max towing power requires sticking with the entry-level engine. In SR5 trim with rear-wheel drive, the Tundra supplies 12,000 kilos of towing capability.
In terms of the Ram 1500 full-size pickup, two of the half-ton truck’s three obtainable engines battle for towing supremacy. First up is the Ram 1500’s diesel engine. The three.0-liter V-6 makes 260 horsepower at 3600 rpm and 480 pound-feet of torque at 1600 rpm. With this engine, the Ram 1500 is rated to tow as much as 12,560 kilos, which is greater than different diesel-powered half-ton vehicles. However the Ram can pull a bit extra with the cheaper 5.7-liter V-8. Producing 395 horsepower at 5600 rpm and 410 lb-ft of torque at 3750 rpm, the V-8 proves there is not any substitute for displacement. It cranks up the Ram’s most towing capability to 12,750 kilos.
GMC Sierra 1500 | 13,200 kilos
The half-ton Sierra 1500 shares a lot of its mechanical {hardware} with the Chevy Silverado. Consumers must be conscious, nevertheless, that the GMC has decrease most tow scores. With the 277-hp 3.0-liter inline-six diesel, which produces 460 pound-feet of torque at simply 1500 rpm, the Sierra can tow a most of 9100 kilos. That is 200 kilos shy of the Chevy’s functionality. Just like the Chevy, the GMC pulls extra when geared up with the obtainable 6.2-liter V-8, which is rated at 420 horsepower at 5600 rpm and the identical 460 lb-ft of torque, however at the next 4100 rpm. With this engine, max towing is 13,200 kilos. Comparatively, the Silverado 1500 can tow as much as 13,300 kilos with this configuration.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 13,300 kilos
In terms of the Chevy Silverado 1500, you’ll assume its 277-hp six-cylinder diesel engine that produces 460 pound-feet of torque would pull essentially the most. Nope. With the diesel, the Silverado can tow a most of 9300 kilos. The Silverado can pull significantly extra weight when geared up with its obtainable 420-hp 6.2-liter V-8, which makes the identical 460 lb-ft of torque, however at the next rpm. Just like the diesel, it is backed by a 10-speed automated transmission. With this configuration, the Silverado 1500 can tow as much as 13,300 kilos.
Ford F-150 | 14,000 kilos
America’s bestselling vehicle, the Ford F-150, affords an extended record of engines, together with a hybrid V-6 possibility. The 430-hp gasoline-electric powertrain can tow as much as 12,400 kilos when paired with four-wheel drive. The lesser 290-hp 3.3-liter turbocharged V-6, in the meantime, can tow as much as 8200 kilos. The battery-electric Lightning, in the meantime, maxes out at 10,000 kilos. For rear-drive 5.0-liter V-8 fashions with a 141.5-inch wheelbase, that quantity jumps to 13,000 kilos. The F-150 can tow extra when powered by its twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6. That engine packs 500 pound-feet of torque. With all that torque, the F-150 can pull 14,000 kilos.
Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and 3500HD | 20,000 kilos
Chevy’s big-dog truck, the Silverado HD, is on the market with a 6.6-liter diesel V-8. The turbocharged engine, which makes 445 horsepower and 910 pound-feet of torque, is obtainable in each 2500 and 3500 guises. With this engine, these Chevys can pull significantly extra weight than they’ll with their gas-swilling 6.6-liter V-8. Within the 2500 fashions, this setup permits the Silverado to tow a most of 14,500 kilos. however that quantity jumps to 18,500 kilos with the diesel. The 3500 can yank round as much as 16,800 kilos with the fuel engine and 20,000 with the diesel. Once you begin speaking about fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailers, the 3500’s capability maxes out at 36,000 kilos.
GMC Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD | 20,000 kilos
GMC’s high towing machine is the Sierra HD. It is supplied in three-quarter-ton 2500 and one-ton 3500 configurations powered by GM’s 6.6-liter diesel. The turbocharged V-8, which makes 445 horsepower and a gargantuan 910 pound-feet of torque, is backed by an Allison-sourced 10-speed automated transmission and pulls significantly extra weight than its 401-hp 6.6-liter naturally aspirated fuel V-8 kin. With that engine, the 2500 mannequin can tow a max of 14,500 kilos—that quantity jumps to 18,500 kilos with the diesel. In the meantime, the 3500 can tow as much as 16,800 kilos with the fuel engine and 20,000 with the diesel. Just like the Chevy, the GMC’s numbers soar if you begin speaking about fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailers. When correctly geared up, the 3500’s capability maxes at a forget-the-movers-we’re-taking-the-entire-house 36,000 kilos.
Ram 2500HD and 3500HD | 23,000 kilos
Ram’s three-quarter- and one-ton pickups have been about burly diesel energy for many years, particularly Cummins diesel energy. Along with the usual 410-hp 6.4-liter gas-fed V-8, Ram affords two six-cylinder Cummins-sourced diesels in its largest of huge rigs. The 6.7-liter model supplied within the three-quarter-ton Ram 2500HD pumps out 370 horsepower and 850 pound-feet of torque. An much more highly effective model of this engine is obtainable within the 3500HD. Its scores rise to 400 horsepower and an astonishing 1075 lb-ft of torque. Of the gazillion configurations supplied, the high-power 3500 4×2 Common Cab Tradesman with the eight-foot field can pull a traditional trailer weighing 23,000 kilos. When geared up with a gooseneck hitch, it can tow up to 37,100 pounds.
Ford F-250 and F-350 Tremendous Responsibility | 24,200 kilos
The Ford F-series Tremendous Responsibility household of pickups ranks among the many torque kings of the truck world, with the non-obligatory 6.7-liter turbo-diesel V-8 churning out a complete of 1050 lb-ft of torque. That places it forward of the diesel supplied by Chevy and GMC, although 25 lb-ft behind the high-output Cummins within the Ram. Paired with a 10-speed automated transmission, the 475-hp V-8 is on the market on all F-series Tremendous Responsibility fashions, although bear in mind it prices roughly $10,000 greater than Ford’s gas-burning V-8s. The diesel powertrain provides the F-250 a max tow ranking of 20,000 with four-wheel drive. Within the F-350 these numbers climb to 24,200. At its higher towing echelon, the rear-wheel drive F-450 gooseneck has a max towing capability of 37,000 kilos.
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Commercial – Proceed Studying Beneath