How to get the best towing vehicle for your needs
You might be thinking about hitting the road this spring with a new SUV or truck and pulling a trailer or toy hauler. But figuring out what kind of vehicle to get without overspending can be a confusing process.
The towing capacity of your vehicle is generally related to its size. For many small SUVs, expect a tow rating of around 1,0002,000 pounds. This isn’t much but can be sufficient to tow a small utility trailer.
Upgrade to a new midsize SUV or a midsize pickup truck for a maximum towing capacity of about 3,500 to 7,000 pounds, which should be enough to tow a bigger utility trailer or even a lightweight car trailer.
With a maximum towing capacity of around 8,000 pounds for a typical fullsize SUV or around 12,000 pounds for a light-duty pickup, you can pull many recreational boats, toy haulers and bigger car trailers.
Want to pull a big fifthwheel trailer or a multi-car trailer across the country? With capabilities pushing past 30,000 pounds, heavyduty trucks are the only vehicles up to the task.
Maximum trailer weight is typically listed in the owner’s manual or on the door sticker of a vehicle and indicates what’s possible. But real-world towing can be quite different.
A Toyota Tacoma, for example, has a maximum towing capacity of 6,800 pounds. But that’s only with a rear-wheel-drive regular cab fitted with a V6 engine and the Tacoma’s optional towing package. Lesser Tacomas might drop to as low as 3,500 pounds.
Most manufacturers release trailer-capacity guides for a given year, so check for a vehicle’s towing capacity before buying.
It’s important to research a vehicle’s configurations and options before making your purchase. Look into the right class of vehicle and be realistic about your lifestyle, and you’re more
likely to find a vehicle that properly fits your needs without going over its limits.