Truck towing capacity is an important factor to consider when purchasing a new truck.
The most common type of towing capacity is the gross combination weight (GCW). This is the maximum allowable weight for a vehicle and its load when it is being towed by another vehicle. The GCW rating is usually given in pounds (lbs) or kilograms (kg).
Which truck has the best towing capacity? Well, we have enlisted a few 2020 truck models that you can surely check if you are recently planning to buy a truck for towing purposes. These trucks provide high towing capacity and deliver great in the long run. You can go through our article to find out which one is best for you. But before discussing the best towing trucks, we need to know what actually towing means.
Table of Contents
What Is Towing Capacity?
Towing is not just about how much weight can be pulled behind your truck; rather it is also about how much cargo (trailer weight) your truck’s rear axle and framing can bear to make the towing safe and comfortable.
Rules to follow if you are looking for Pickup Truck Towing
Before discussing the top best trucks for towing, you need to know a few things about the towing rules.
The towing capacity of your truck highly depends on the weight of the truck. If you want to tow a heavy load, then you should not go for a midsize pickup truck.
You need to make sure that you have space to keep your truck conveniently. If you purchase a full-size pickup truck and you do not have space for it in your driveway, then you should consider a smaller truck instead.
If you want to buy a few additional features, then the extra weight from these add-ons will reduce the amount of towing capacity of your truck. You will face the same issue if you carry a lot of passengers or luggage in your truck.
Lastly, it is important to have a commercial license for your truck if you want to two anything above 26,000 pounds in the United States. This is implemented for safety reasons. So if the weight of your truck and trailer together exceeds 26,000 pounds then you have to arrange a Class A commercial driver’s license in order to drive it. However, this rule is applicable in the United States only; you have to check the rules and regulations of your location before towing anything in your truck.
How to Calculate a Truck’s Towing Capacity
When it comes to towing capacity, one of the most important factors to consider is the truck you will be using. Towing capacity can vary greatly from truck to truck, so it is important to do your research before purchasing or renting a truck for towing. There are a few things you need to know in order to calculate a truck’s towing capacity. First, the weight of the trailer is relatively small compared to the truck. You need to know this because you will be using that number in calculations for calculating the extra load or tongue weight. Towing capacity calculations usually involve adding up the weight of the trailer, which is usually the tongue weight, and subtracting the total weight of the truck. This produces a load-carrying capacity that is used to determine if a truck can tow a certain trailer.
What Factors Influence a Truck’s Towing Capacity?
There are many factors that influence a truck’s towing capacity. The first is the weight of the truck itself. Heavier trucks can tow more weight than lighter trucks. The second factor is the engine. A truck with a more powerful engine will be able to tow more weight than a truck with a weaker engine. The third factor is the transmission. A truck with a stronger transmission will be able to tow more weight than a truck with a weaker transmission. The fourth factor is the brakes.
Top Best Trucks for Towing Capacity
2020 Ram 1500
Source Credits : https://www.spitzerhomestead.com/2020-ram-1500-towing-capacity/
2020 Ram 1500 can tow up to 12,750 lbs.
The 2019 Ram 1500 was one of the best sellers and the advanced version (2020 Ram 1500) of it does not disappoint even.
This truck provides an unmatched ride quality with a nice interior and quiet cabin.
There are a few options if you go for 2020 Ram 1500; you can opt for the 3.6 L Pentastar V6 engine which yields 305 HP and 269 lb-ft of torque, the 5.7 L Hemi V8 engines both of which yield 395 HP and 410 ft-lb of torque, or the updated Ram’s 3.0 L Eco Diesel V6 engine which yields 260 HP and 480 lb-ft of torque.
2020 Ford F-150
Source Credits : https://www.kimbercreekford.com/blog/2020-ford-f-150-towing-payload-capacity-specs/
2020 Ford F-150, the best selling truck of America can tow up to: 13,200 lbs
This truck is known for its versatility and dependability.
You will get an array of options if you choose the 2020 Ford F-150. You can get a 3.3 L V6 engine that yields 290 HP and 265 lb-ft of torque, two turbo-charged Eco-Boost V6 2.7 L engines that yield 325 HP and 400 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.5 L V8 engine yielding 375 HP and 470 lb-ft of torque, a 5.0 L V8 engine yielding 395 HP and 400 lb-ft of torque, a 3.0 L Power Stroke diesel V6 engine yielding 250 Hp and 440 lb-ft of torque, and lastly the 2020 Ford F-150 also comes with another option, i.e. the 3.5 L Eco-Boost engine that yields 450 HP and 510 lb-ft of torque.
2020 Chevrolet Silverado
Source Credits : https://www.tomgill.com/2020-chevrolet-silverado-1500-towing-capacity/
2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 can tow up to 12, 100 lbs
This truck comes with great engine options: a base 4.3 L V6 engine yielding 285 HP and 305 lb-ft of torque, a 5.3 L V8 engine yielding 355 HP and 383 lb-ft, a 2.7 L turbocharged four-cylinder 310 HP and 348 lb-ft of torque, a 6.2 L V8 engine yielding 420 HP and 460 lb-ft of torque. It also comes in another option, i.e. a 3.0 L Duramax diesel in-line-six engine yielding 277 Hp and 460 lb-ft of torque.
2020 Ford Ranger
Source Credits : https://www.broadwayautomotive.com/blog/how-much-weight-can-the-2020-ford-ranger-tow/
2020 Ford Ranger can tow up to 7,500 lbs
This truck features a 2.3 L Eco-Boost turbo-charged four-cylinder engine that tows up to 7,500 lbs.
2020 Ram 3500 Heavy Duty
Source Credits : https://www.briggsdodge.net/blog/how-many-pounds-can-the-2020-ram-3500-heavy-duty-tow/
This truck can tow up to 35,500 pounds.
The 2020 Ram 3500 Heavy Duty features a 6.7 L Cummins Diesel inline-six engine that yields 400 HP and 1,000 in-ft or torque.
The 2020 Ram 3500 Heavy Duty with added dual rear wheels is capable of towing up to 35,100 pounds.
However, the diesel adds an extra expenditure of $11,795, which is more than the base gas of the V-8.
2020 Chevrolet Silverado
Source Credits : https://www.bigbendchevroletbuick.com/2020-chevy-silverado-2500-towing#close
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 can tow up to 14500 pounds.
This truck is a great choice if you want to purchase a truck that tows in the fifth wheel or gooseneck.
The truck features a 6.6 L Duramax diesel V-8 engine.
2020 Ford F-450 Super Duty
Source Credits : https://ford2020a.blogspot.com/2020/01/2020-ford-f450-limited-black.html
2020 Ford F-450 Super Duty can tow up to 37,000 lbs.
The 2020 Ford F-450 Super Duty is an updated version and better than ever.
This truck features a 6.7 L Power Stroke diesel V8 engine that yields 1,050 lb-ft of torque, which is a great news for truck buyers.
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD/ GMC Sierra 3500 HD
Source Credits : https://www.carlblackoforlando.com/blog/2020-chevrolet-silverado-2500hd-and-3500hd-power-specs-and-engines/
2020 Chevrolet Silverado/ GMC Sierra 2500 HD, both the trucks are capable of towing up to 18, 500 lbs.
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD is not the biggest truck in the market; however, it delivers good quality. You can expect the same from the GMC Sierra 3500.
However, the Chevy Silverado 2500 HD does not feature a strong engine.
2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty
Source Credits : https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/32013/2020-ford-f-250-super-duty-review-heavy-duty-truck-hegemony
This truck can tow up to 20, 200 lbs, if properly equipped.
The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty delivers great because it features a different variety of beds and configurations.
You have a few options as you can choose from the 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty with a 6.2 L V9 engine or the 7.3 L V8 engine which yields 430 HP and 475 lb-ft of torque.
You have also other options like, the stroke diesel option, which is available in the 350 and the 450. However, they are available at a costly price; $10,495.
2020 Chevrolet Colorado
Source Credits : https://www.stingraychevrolet.com/2020-chevrolet-colorado-towing/
2020 Chevrolet Colorado can tow up to 7,700 lbs.
This truck comes with a base 2.5 L inline-four engine that yields 200 HP and 191 lb-ft of torque.
You will also get two options to upgrade your truck if you choose 2020 Chevrolet Colorado; such as: the 3.6 L V6 engine which yields 308 HP and 275 lb-ft of torque or the 2.8 L turbo diesel engine that yields 186 HP and 369 lb-ft of torque.
What are the safe limits of tongue weight when towing?
The safe limit of tongue weight when towing is 10% of the total trailer weight. Exceeding this limit can cause damage to the vehicle, the trailer, and the contents being towed. It is important to know a truck’s individual towing capacity in order to stay within safe limits. Some trucks have a higher towing capacity than others, making them better suited for towing heavier loads.
How to safely tow a trailer
It’s no surprise that Americans love their trucks. In fact, according to IHS Markit, in 2018 there were over 17 million registered light-duty trucks on the road. And that number is only going to grow.
Many of those trucks are being used for towing trailers. Whether you’re pulling a small trailer for your bike or a large one for your boat, it’s important to know how to tow safely. So, when towing a trailer, it is important to have the right truck for the job. There are a variety of trucks on the market, each with different towing capacities. Some trucks are better suited for towing than others.
Related Queries
Which midsize truck can offer the best towing capacity?
Ans: The Chevrolet Colorado and the GMC Canyon can offer the highest towing capacity in midsize trucks; the Jeep Gladiator can be at second position.
Which full-size truck can offer the best towing capacity?
Ans: The Ford F-150 can offer the highest towing capacity for a full-size truck; the Chevrolet Colorado comes at second.
Which is the best truck for heavy towing?
Ans: If you want to haul a heavy load regularly, then you should go for the Nissan Titan XD with gooseneck setup. To haul very heavy loads, a gooseneck is safer and more capable than a bumper pull.
Final Words
In this article, we have discussed a few best trucks to tow a reasonable amount of load. You can choose from this list if you are planning to buy a truck for towing purposes. We have enlisted trucks for 2020 models. If you want to go for older models, then you can contact any truck dealer to know about the towing capacity of the truck. In conclusion, the Ram 1500 has the best towing capacity of all the trucks. If you need to tow a large trailer or boat, then the Ram 1500 is the truck for you. It has a maximum towing capacity of 12,750 pounds, which is more than enough for most trailers. So, if you’re in the market for a new truck, be sure to consider the Ram 1500.
