Buying the right truck for you can be difficult, especially when you have to take into account towing! Sure, you want the luxury of a nice pickup, but if it can’t tow the trailer you need, then what is the point? Because of that, to simplify your life, we spent hours scouring the internet to figure out what each truck can tow, and split them up into different classes! This includes finding pickups that can tow over 4,000 pounds, 7,000 pounds, 8,000 pounds, and onwards.
As you read through this article, we did our best to give you the best idea of what each pickup with different engine options offers for towing capacity, however you should keep in mind that different options on each pickup can affect the towing capacity of the truck you are ordering, so make sure to pay attention to that!
Without more to do, let’s dig into all the pickups, what they can tow, and even which ones are our personal favorites in each class!
What pickups can tow 4,000 pounds?
Our Choice: Ford Maverick
While the Ford Maverick may have the lowest tow rating on the list of vehicles that can tow around 4,000 pounds, it is also my favorite of the options! Ford knocked it out of the park with this crossover-based pickup.
It mixes urban needs for small, nimble, and fun to drive, with the rural needs of having a bed to take things around with you. I already see plenty of businesses utilizing these characteristics on a day-to-day basis.
| Truck | Towing Capacity (lbs) | Engine |
|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 6,800 | 2.7L Turbo |
| Ford Maverick | 4,000 | 2.0L EcoBoost |
| Honda Ridgeline | 5,000 | 3.5L V6 |
| Hyundai Santa Cruz | 5,000 | 2.5L Turbo |
| Toyota Tacoma | 6,400 | 3.5L V6 |
What can you tow that is around 4,000 to 6,999 pounds?
One of the most common trailers in this section of weight is the pop-up camper! These can range from 2,000 to 4,500 pounds. They can be a blast to get out on the road and have a ton of fun.
Another trailer that is commonly found in this weight range is a smaller utility trailer that many people use to move items from one place to another. All of the trucks in the list above should do an awesome job! Just make sure to keep in mind that the weight of items you put into the trailer also added to the trailer weight for your vehicle.
What pickups can tow 7,000 pounds?
Our Choice: Ram 1500
I am extremely impressed with the pickups that Ram has been selling lately! In 2019 they released the newest generation of the 1500 series, and this was a massive leap forward in both the interior of the vehicle (its selling point), but also exterior and capability.
Three years later (at the time of this writing), other brands are still trying to catch up to the quality that this truck has. Sure, there are other great pickups on this list, but the Ram 1500 stands above as the best of the best in this lot. That said, you won’t find the F-150 in this list, as it can tow more, and is found on the next list (and the one after) down (as the winner of its group).
| Truck | Towing Capacity (lbs) | Engine |
|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Colorado | 7,000 | 3.6L V6 |
| 7,700 | 2.8L Duramax | |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 7,900 | 4.3L V6 Engine |
| Ford Range | 7,500 | 2.3L EcoBoost |
| GMC Canyon | 7,700 | 3.6L V6 |
| 7,700 | 2.8L Duramax | |
| GMC Hummer EV | 7,500 | 3 Electric Motor |
| GMC Sierra 1500 | 7,900 | 4.3L EcoTec3 V-6 |
| Jeep Gladiator | 7,650 | 3.6L Pentastar |
| Nissan Frontier | 6,720 | 3.8L V6 |
| Ram 1500 | 7,730 | 3.6L Pentastar |
What can you tow that is around 7,000 to 7,999 pounds?
Trailers in this weight class will be things like a loaded flatbed trailer, a camper, a large travel trailer and more. These will be trailers meant mainly for hobbies, but can also be trailers you would find on a worksite as well.
What pickups can tow 8,000 pounds?
Our Choice: Ford F-150
It is not a secret that I enjoy Ford products. I feel like lately, they have been selling some of the best, and most innovative products on the market today (or at least of the big 3). The newest F-150 is a great example of this. It is packed with features, has an updated look, and yet somehow manages to hold on to that pickup truck feel.
This pickup is great for towing, but also has some great features including a fold-out table, and a fold-away shifter in the center console! Want a quick nap? You can lean the front seats back.
| Truck | Towing Capacity (lbs) | Engine |
|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet 1500 | 9,300 | 3.0L Turbo-Diesel |
| GMC Sierra 1500 | 9,200 | 2.7L Turbo |
| 9,300 | 3.0L Duramax | |
| 9,900 | 5.3L V8 AFM | |
| Ford F-150 | 8,200 | 3.3L V6 |
What can you tow that is around 8,000 to 9,999 pounds?
This would also be just like what we have talked about before. It would be heavier version of flatbed trailers, more items on the trailers, and heavier campers.
What pickups can tow 10,000 pounds?
Our Choice: Ford F-150
Yes, I know, this one is the last category as well, however, these are just awesome vehicles! In this category, it by far is the F-150 with the PowerBoost. With the newest generation of F-150, they released this version of the truck, which features the first hybrid powertrain. Not only does it help with power and gas mileage, but it also can utilize the battery system as a generator.
You can easily power your campsite, worksite tools and so many other things (even a toaster if you so wanted). I do like this pickup, and I think it easily wins out this category.
If you wanted to go full-electric, the Lightning variant is also a great option as well!
| Truck | Towing Capacity (lbs) | Engine |
|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 11,000 | 5.3L V8 |
| 13,400 | 6.2L V8 | |
| Chevrolet Silverado 2500 | 14,500 | 6.6L V8 |
| Ford F-150 | 10,100 | 2.7L Turbo V6 |
| 12,000 | 3.0L Turbo Diesel | |
| 12,700 | 3.5L PowerBoost Hybrid | |
| 13,000 | 5.0L V8 | |
| 14,000 | 3.5L EcoBoost | |
| Ford F-150 Lightning | 10,000 | 2 Electric Motors |
| GMC Sierra 1500 | 11,300 | 5.3L V8 |
| 11,800 | 6.2L V8 | |
| Nissan Titan | 11,060 | 5.6L V8 |
| Ram 1500 | 11,610 | 5.7L Hemi V8 |
| 12,560 | 3.0L Diesel | |
| 12,750 | 5.7L Hemi eTorque | |
| Rivian R1T | 11,000 | 4 Electric Motors |
| Toyota Tundra | 11,120 | 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6 |
What can you tow that is around 10,000 to 14,999 pounds?
If you are someone that likes to go out boating, tow around a car on a trailer, take a 5th wheel out camping or more, you might want to consider one of these trucks for your activity! This is your general truck class, which is why you are finding so many trucks on our list.
What is the smallest truck that can tow 10,000 lbs?
If you are on the hunt for a pickup truck that can tow over 10,000 pounds, but are hoping to stay on the smaller end of thing, you should consider a Toyota Tundra. This is a mid-size pickup that can still haul well over that 10,000 pounds that you are hoping to achieve.
Another smaller pickup, would be the Rivian R1T! This is an all-electric pickup with tons of capability, including an impressive towing capacity.
What pickups can tow 15,000 pounds?
Our Choice: Ram 3500
Now that we are getting into the 15,000 pounds range, these pickups are starting to get serious! They all tend to ride a bit rougher, and are going to be a little bit more utilitarian. However, the pickup that stands out as my favorite is the Ram 3500 with the 6.7L Turbo-Diesel. This is an incredible engine, with great power, capability, and reliability.
Mix that with a luxurious interior (and exterior), and you have one of the best pickups in this class of towing. I highly recommend testing one of these out for yourself to see if it will work!
| Truck | Towing Capacity (lbs) | Engine |
|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Silverado 3500 | 17,370 | 6.6L V8 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 2500 | 18,500 | 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8 |
| Ford F-250 | 15,000 | 6.2L V8 |
| 15,000 | 7.3L V8 | |
| 20,000 | 6.7L V8 Turbo-Diesel | |
| Ford F-350 | 21,000 | 7.3L V8 |
| GMC Sierra 2500 | 18,500 | 6.6L V8 |
| Ram 2500 | 17,540 | 6.4L V8 Hemi |
| 20,000 | 6.7L Turbo-Diesel | |
| Ram 3500 | 22,670 | 6.7L Turbo-Diesel |
What can you tow that is around 15,000 to 29,999 pounds?
These trucks are the real work trucks, and are generally in the 2500 and 3500 class! Most people don’t own these vehicles just for play, unless they have a large camper trailer (5th wheel), or they need to carry heavy cargo, or even life stock. You will find these trucks on ranches, worksites and more to carry the heavy loads they need.
What pickups can tow 30,000 pounds?
Our Choice: Ford F-350
At 30,000 pounds, you are at the top of the heap! And with that said, you can’t go wrong with the F-350. This incredible pickup can tow up to 37,000 pounds and does it with ease. The styling of the pickup is awesome, and it is perfect for those that have gooseneck trailers to haul from a to b, or across the country.
| Trucks | Towing Capacity (lbs) | Engine |
|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Silverado 3500 | 36,000 | 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8 |
| Ford F-350 | 37,000 | 6.7L Turbo-Diesel V8 |
| GMC Sierra 3500 | 36,000 | 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8 |
| Ram 3500 | 37,090 | 6.7L HO Turbo-Diesel I6 |
What can you tow that is over 30,000 pounds?
A truck that can tow 30,000 pounds is needed for the hardest of tasks! These are meant to carry things like Yachts, huge cattle trailers, multiple vehicles on a trailer, gooseneck flatbeds, and more. These are extremely expensive trucks, as they need to be built to carry these heavy duty items, and you generally wan’t find these in personal use.
What can electric trucks tow?
Electric pickups are still on their way towards popularity! There aren’t many on the road yet, not because people don’t want them, but because the manufacturers can’t build them fast enough. Thankfully these pickups can still tow! While it is still up in the air on whether they can maintain that towing capacity for very long, they are still an option.
Here are the electric pickups on the market, and what they are able to tow! I also did add them into the post earlier, but this is better for a glance.
| Truck | Towing Capacity (lbs) | Motor Count |
|---|---|---|
| GMC Hummer EV | 7,500 | 3 Electric Motors |
| Ford F-150 Lightning | 10,000 | 2 Electric Motors |
| Rivian R1T | 11,000 | 4 Electric Motors |
Conclusion
When it comes to towing, pickup trucks are some of the best vehicles for the job. There are a variety of pickups that can tow different levels of trailers, so it is important to know how much your trailer weighs and what pickup truck can tow it. We hope this article has been helpful in finding the right pickup truck for your needs!
