Many people in Los Angeles own and drive pickup trucks solely for personal reasons, which is perfectly acceptable. Driving a truck is more pressing for some people than the desire to do so.
You need to have a truck with towing capabilities when you have a camper, a boat, a toy hauler, or even just a tiny trailer that you need to transfer from time to time.
Your truck’s maximum towing capacity is based on the vehicle’s weight, which varies depending on its configuration.
To determine your maximum towing capacity, subtract the weight of your truck and any passengers or cargo from the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating (GCVWR or GCWR), which is the maximum weight your truck and trailer can have together.
Weight-adding features in your new truck, or the number of people or freight you intend to tow (or both), will lower the weight you can haul behind the wheel.
If you intend to use your heavy-duty truck to tow massive loads, you need also be aware of your GCVWR.
A commercial license may be required for a GCVWR over 26,000 pounds depending on your state. If your truck and trailer weigh more than 26,000 pounds, you must have a Class A commercial driver’s license to lawfully operate it.
2022 Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon | Max Tow Rating: 7,700 Pounds
In 2015 and 2016, the Chevy Colorado was named Truck of the Year for the second year in a row, and it remains one of our favorite midsize trucks.
To meet the needs of most buyers, Colorado and its GMC Canyon brother have a wide selection of powertrain options. The standard engine is a 2.5-liter inline-four producing 200 horsepower and 191 lb-ft of torque.
The 3.6-liter V-6 (308 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque) and the 2.8-liter turbodiesel I-4 are both options (181 hp and 369 lb-ft). The V-6 isn’t as good as the diesel for towing, but it’s still a suitable vehicle.
With an eight-speed auto and a smooth, refined ride, the Colorado V-6 outperformed the competition in a midsize truck comparison test by towing a trailer with 14 bales of hay along a tight, curving road with ease.
2022 Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 1500 | Max Tow Rating: 13,300 Pounds
This year’s updated Chevy Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 have some impressive towing stats that include a significant increase in the 3.0-liter I-6 diesel’s towing capacity to 13,300 pounds, making it one of the best trucks for towing.
It has a 3.0-liter Duramax inline-six turbodiesel engine that can provide 310 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque.
Other engine options include a 5.3-liter V-8 (355 horsepower and 383 pounds-feet of torque) and a 6.2-liter V-8 (420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet) (277 hp and 460 lb-ft).
GM’s Active Fuel Management cylinder shut-off technology is standard on all gas engines, and most of them are available with a stop/start system.
Duramax types of diesel are the best option for towing, especially with the upcoming 2022 rise in maximum towing capacity. Super Cruise for hands-free towing is also included in the 2022 GMC Sierra 1500.
2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz | Max Tow Rating: 5,000 Pounds
Santa Cruz is Hyundai’s first foray into the compact pickup truck market, experiencing a boom. It can tow 5,000 pounds with its 281-horsepower, 311-pound-feet-of-torque 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which isn’t bad for such a small car that zips around city streets with ease.
The best part of this new little truck is that it features under-bed storage (similar to the Honda Ridgeline), a nice feature for many consumers. It is indeed a good choice when considering the best trucks for towing.
2022 Ram 1500 | Max Tow Rating: 12,750 Pounds
As far as light-duty full-size pickups go, the Ram 1500, our 2019 Truck of the Year, is still a tough act to follow. It is the most luxury half-ton truck on the market because of its superior ride quality, unsurpassed quietness, and an extensive list of available luxuries.
This implies that long excursions with your RV will be more enjoyable. A 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 (305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque) is the base engine for the Ram 1500, while the Hemi V-8s (both producing 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque) are also available, as well as an updated version of Ram’s 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V-6 engine (260 hp and 480 lb-ft).
The 6.2-liter Hemi V-8 is standard on the Ram TRX (702 hp and 650 lb-ft). A mild hybrid system that recovers and recycles energy from the wheels that would otherwise be lost is standard on the V-6 and is available on the V-8.
When the engine is under severe load or when the automated engine stop/start system is activated, that battery’s stored energy is utilized; this amazing feature earns the Ram 1500 a spot in the list of best trucks for towing.
2022 Ford F-150 | Max Tow Rating: 14,000 Pounds
When looking for a full-size 1-ton truck, the Ford F-150 is an excellent option. Because of its reputation for dependability and adaptability, it’s the best-selling pickup truck in the United States.
In addition to the 3.3-liter V-6 (290 horsepower and 265 pounds of torque), the F-150 has two turbocharged EcoBoost V-6s, the 2.7-liter (325 horsepower and 400 pounds of torque) and the 3.0-liter (400 horsepower and 500 pounds of torque).
There are also two full hybrid V-6s, the 3.5-liter PowerBoost Full Hybrid V-6 (430 horsepower and 560 pounds of torque) and a 5-liter V-8 (400 horsepower and 400 pounds of torque).
The F-150 also has a 3.0-liter Power Stroke diesel V-6 (400 horsepower and 410 pounds of torque) (250 hp and 440 lb-ft).
The 3.5-liter EcoBoost in the F-150 Raptor has been beefed up to produce 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, making it one of the best trucks for towing in the market.
There will no longer be a diesel F-150 option in 2022, but there will be an all-electric Lightning model.
Nissan Titan XD
The Nissan Titan XD is a great option for those who need something more than a half-ton truck can offer but don’t want the expense of a heavy-duty truck.
With its 5.0L Cummins Turbo-Diesel V8 engine, the Titan XD pushes 310 horsepower and 555 lb-ft of torque. It also has a maximum towing capacity of 12,314 pounds and a maximum payload capacity of 2,091 pounds.
The Titan XD works well for those needing extra space, especially with its crew cab configuration, which provides ample room for the whole family.
The interior features Nissan’s Infotainment system, including navigation and a 7″ screen, voice recognition, and Bluetooth wireless technology.
The infotainment system also allows you to stream music from your smartphone through the audio system.
Conclusion
When it comes to towing, you want a truck that’s not only powerful but also one with a good ride, great control, and decent fuel efficiency.
While some diesel trucks are on the market with stellar power ratings, they’re not all that common, and they do cost more, so we left them off our list.
Each of the trucks above should deliver equally well under load as in everyday driving duties. So if your truck needs to tow, consider the best trucks for towing presented above.
