Best Trucks For Towing, 2021 Edition

All-new for 2021, Ford has upped the ante on the F-150’s already formidable towing prowess. It can tow up to 14,000 pounds and has a maximum gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 19,500 pounds, previously the domain of heavy-duty trucks. Base models can only tow up to 8,200 pounds, but there are more than 140 combinations of axles, bodies, and engines and many are serious

All-new for 2021, Ford has upped the ante on the F-150’s already formidable towing prowess. It can tow up to 14,000 pounds and has a maximum gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 19,500 pounds, previously the domain of heavy-duty trucks. Base models can only tow up to 8,200 pounds, but there are more than 140 combinations of axles, bodies, and engines and many are serious towing machines. Line-wide, the max towing average of all variations is just shy of 10,600 pounds, by far the highest in the class. The truck can also be equipped with a helpful Pro Trailer Backup Assist, which lets the truck’s sensors do the hard work when reversing with a trailer. As a vehicle, the F-150 is second only to the Ram 1500 in refinement and features among full-size trucks, but it can be pricey.

The Silverado has the second-highest maximum tow rating in the class, 13,300 pounds when properly configured, but many versions carry ratings in the 9,400 to 9,800-pound range. Line wide, the average max rating is 9,156 pounds. That’s not the highest average, but it also reflects the Silverado’s 60-plus combinations of trims, engines, axles and bodies. One item on the long options

The Silverado has the second-highest maximum tow rating in the class, 13,300 pounds when properly configured, but many versions carry ratings in the 9,400 to 9,800-pound range. Line wide, the average max rating is 9,156 pounds. That’s not the highest average, but it also reflects the Silverado’s 60-plus combinations of trims, engines, axles and bodies. One item on the long options list is a state-of-the-art trailering system with up to 15 camera views that help keep drivers very well informed about what’s going on behind them. It also sports an efficient diesel powertrain and powerful V8s, though its styling is controversial and its interior spartan.

The Ram 1500 is the most refined pickup around, with a smooth ride and a lavish, tech-packed cabin. It also gets excellent crash test scores. Though hard to beat overall, it can’t tow quite as much as its rivals from Ford and Chevy. Properly equipped the Ram can tow up to 12,750 pounds with its Hemi V8 or 12,560 with the very thrifty optional EcoDiesel V6, but only in quad cab

The Ram 1500 is the most refined pickup around, with a smooth ride and a lavish, tech-packed cabin. It also gets excellent crash test scores. Though hard to beat overall, it can’t tow quite as much as its rivals from Ford and Chevy. Properly equipped the Ram can tow up to 12,750 pounds with its Hemi V8 or 12,560 with the very thrifty optional EcoDiesel V6, but only in quad cab form. Base model gas V6s, however, have tow ratings lower than some midsize trucks, which lowers the average rating across its 50 different configurations to 9,080 pounds. The Ram’s tech suite also includes a surround-view camera system with reverse guidance, a big help when maneuvering. 

The Sierra is a close relative of the Chevy Silverado, but wears bolder styling and has a slightly narrower range of towing combinations. The Sierra’s 11,800-pound max tow rating is lower than the Silverado’s, but many models fall in the 9,200 to 9,700-pound range. The overall average tow rating across the 38 combinations of Sierra is 9,284 pounds. The Sierra shares the Silverado’s

The Sierra is a close relative of the Chevy Silverado, but wears bolder styling and has a slightly narrower range of towing combinations. The Sierra’s 11,800-pound max tow rating is lower than the Silverado’s, but many models fall in the 9,200 to 9,700-pound range. The overall average tow rating across the 38 combinations of Sierra is 9,284 pounds. The Sierra shares the Silverado’s excellent optional trailer visibility system, a huge safety advantage, and its six-way multi-function tailgate as well as its wide range of powertrains, the best being a 6.2-liter V8 and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-six. Sierras are a little more expensive than Silverados, and the styling is a matter of personal taste.

The Ram 1500 Classic is essentially the previous-generation Ram 1500, which the brand has kept on sale since the truck was redesigned in 2019. The pared back the lineup focuses primarily on work trucks but offers the widest combination of cabs and beds among full-size trucks, including a short-bed regular cab. There are two engines, and with Ram’s older 3.6-liter V6 the Classic

The Ram 1500 Classic is essentially the previous-generation Ram 1500, which the brand has kept on sale since the truck was redesigned in 2019. The pared back the lineup focuses primarily on work trucks but offers the widest combination of cabs and beds among full-size trucks, including a short-bed regular cab. There are two engines, and with Ram’s older 3.6-liter V6 the Classic barely measures up against midsize trucks on towing. 5.7-liter V8 versions, however, have tow ratings ranging from 8,060 to 10,680 pounds, making them quite capable at towing. There are no modern driver-assist systems and the Classic’s cabin is basic, but it’s a very functional truck at a relatively low price. Very little is changed on the 2021 Classic.

Towing is one of the 2021 Toyota Tundra’s real strengths. There’s only one powertrain, a V8 making 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque, and only a limited number of configurations, which equates to maximum tow ratings of 9,900 to 10,200 pounds. That’s a narrow range but a capable enough for many buyers. However, the Tundra’s towing talents don’t make up for

Towing is one of the 2021 Toyota Tundra’s real strengths. There’s only one powertrain, a V8 making 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque, and only a limited number of configurations, which equates to maximum tow ratings of 9,900 to 10,200 pounds. That’s a narrow range but a capable enough for many buyers. However, the Tundra’s towing talents don’t make up for its lack of refinement, aging design, and bottom of the pack fuel economy.

The Titan is comfortable, quiet and offers a robust tech package with excellent driver-assistance features. It’s also powered by a refined and punchy V8, which brings tow ratings of 9,210 to 9,370 pounds across four different configurations. That’s the sweet spot for many full-size trucks but the Titan’s limited lineup means it only aligns with no other buyers towing needs

The Titan is comfortable, quiet and offers a robust tech package with excellent driver-assistance features. It’s also powered by a refined and punchy V8, which brings tow ratings of 9,210 to 9,370 pounds across four different configurations. That’s the sweet spot for many full-size trucks but the Titan’s limited lineup means it only aligns with no other buyers towing needs. It’s a comfortable truck with a quiet cabin and an excellent suite of driver assist gear, but rides rough unladen and it isn’t as capable overall as its Detroit rivals.

New for 2021, the Ram TRX is the biggest, meanest and loudest factory-direct extreme truck on the market. Helpfully, it’s also is an easy truck to use every day, building on the refinement, sophistication, and capability of its Ram 1500 parent. The TRX is optimized for performance, but it can still tow up to 8,220 pounds, helpful when hauling even more extreme off-road machines

New for 2021, the Ram TRX is the biggest, meanest and loudest factory-direct extreme truck on the market. Helpfully, it’s also is an easy truck to use every day, building on the refinement, sophistication, and capability of its Ram 1500 parent. The TRX is optimized for performance, but it can still tow up to 8,220 pounds, helpful when hauling even more extreme off-road machines out to the desert. Since the TRX returns only 12 mpg combined without a trailer, be prepared to pay handsomely at the pump.

Though only a midsize truck the Canyon and its sister, the Chevrolet Colorado, have the highest tow ratings among midsize offerings at 7,700 pounds. That rating comes with their frugal 2.8-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder engine, which also returns up to 23 mpg combined in rear-wheel drive form. The Canyon’s 3.6-liter V6 earns the truck a tow rating of 7,000 pounds. The Canyon

Though only a midsize truck the Canyon and its sister, the Chevrolet Colorado, have the highest tow ratings among midsize offerings at 7,700 pounds. That rating comes with their frugal 2.8-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder engine, which also returns up to 23 mpg combined in rear-wheel drive form. The Canyon’s 3.6-liter V6 earns the truck a tow rating of 7,000 pounds. The Canyon can actually tow a bit more than the lower-end full-size trucks, but it can’t match the big guys overall. Still, it’s a good compromise of size and ability. From a towing perspective, the Chevrolet Colorado offers the same abilities at a slightly lower price.

Few, if any, pickups can match the Gladiator’s off-road talents and its styling is as rugged as its capabilities, one of which is towing. A very short axle ratio, which can hurt fuel economy, is available to help the Gladiator reach its maximum tow rating of 7,650 pounds. The base models lack serious capacity, but many of the higher-end models and all of the frugal EcoDiesel V6

Few, if any, pickups can match the Gladiator’s off-road talents and its styling is as rugged as its capabilities, one of which is towing. A very short axle ratio, which can hurt fuel economy, is available to help the Gladiator reach its maximum tow rating of 7,650 pounds. The base models lack serious capacity, but many of the higher-end models and all of the frugal EcoDiesel V6 versions have tow ratings in the 6,000 to 6,500-pound range, making it capable of towing light campers, small boats, or even a light off-road vehicle.

The Ranger does a good job of balancing the utility and capability demanded of a truck while keeping the whole package compact. It offers the benefits of good safety systems, credible light off-roading performance and, best of all, a tow rating of 7,500 pounds with the optional towing package. It can haul a substantial trailer for a smallish truck, but it doesn’t come with a trailer

The Ranger does a good job of balancing the utility and capability demanded of a truck while keeping the whole package compact. It offers the benefits of good safety systems, credible light off-roading performance and, best of all, a tow rating of 7,500 pounds with the optional towing package. It can haul a substantial trailer for a smallish truck, but it doesn’t come with a trailer brake controller or wide mirrors for towing. It’s also a little noisier inside than some other trucks and has a dated interior. 2021 changes to the Ranger are limited to minor cosmetic packages and additional color choices.

The Tacoma is a good truck for work or play. It’s available in many configurations to suit different buyers and carrying plenty of tech features, including good standard driver-assist systems. Four-cylinder Tacomas are not useful for towing, but V6 models have a top rating of 6,800 pounds. Most versions, however, fall in the 6,400 to 6,700-pound range, and the off-road TRD Pro

The Tacoma is a good truck for work or play. It’s available in many configurations to suit different buyers and carrying plenty of tech features, including good standard driver-assist systems. Four-cylinder Tacomas are not useful for towing, but V6 models have a top rating of 6,800 pounds. Most versions, however, fall in the 6,400 to 6,700-pound range, and the off-road TRD Pro maxes out at 6,400. The Tacoma’s cabin is strictly utilitarian, and the crew cab’s cramped rear seat means the Tacoma isn’t as family-friendly as some rivals.