2022’s trucks are brawnier than ever, with maximum tow ratings of up to 14,000 pounds, but most owners never haul that much, and the most popular trucks aren’t necessarily the brawniest. Families love spacious crew cabs, and four-wheel drive is handy at the boat launch or when the snow flies. But four doors and transfer cases mean more weight, reducing towing capacity. Consequently, choosing the right truck for towing is a balance of utility and life needs. These are the best trucks for towing on the market in 2022, including some 2021 models. Though the numbered scores reflect each truck’s overall merits as a vehicle, our list order reflects tow ratings across each truck’s entire lineup as well as combined weight ratings and available trailering assistance systems. If you’re looking to tow more 14,000 pounds, you’ll want to check out our list of the best heavy-duty pickups.
- 2022 Ford F-150 Max Towing Capacity: 14,000 Pounds. Average Tow Rating Across All Models: 7,850 pounds.
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Max Towing Capacity: 13,300 Pounds. Average Tow Rating Across All Models: 10,295 pounds.
- Toyota Tundra Max Towing Capacity: 12,700 Pounds. Average Tow Rating Across All Models: 10,693 pounds.
- Ram 1500 Max Towing Capacity: 12,750 Pounds. Average Tow Rating Across All Models: 9,080 pounds.
- GMC Sierra 1500 Max Towing Capacity: 11,800 Pounds. Average Tow Rating Across All Models: 9,284 pounds.
- Ram 1500 Classic Max Towing Capacity: 10,610 Pounds. Average Tow Rating Across All Models: 7,778 pounds.
- Nissan Titan Max Towing Capacity: 9,370 Pounds. Average Tow Rating Across All Models: 9,295 pounds.
- Ram 1500 TRX Max Towing Capacity: 8,220 Pounds.
- GMC Canyon Max Towing Capacity: 7,700 Pounds. Average Tow Rating Across All Models: 6,066 pounds.
- Jeep Gladiator Max Towing Capacity: 7,650 Pounds. Average Tow Rating Across All Models: 5,591 pounds.
- Ford Ranger Max Towing Capacity: 7,500 Pounds. Average Tow Rating Across All Models: 5,500 pounds.
- Toyota Tacoma Max Towing Capacity: 6,800 Pounds. Average Tow Rating Across All Models: 5,882 pounds.
Why We Picked It
The 2022 Ford F-150 can tow up to 14,000 pounds, which was once the domain of heavy-duty trucks. Base models can only tow up to 8,200 pounds, but there are more than 130 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, so most popular versions should be able to lug around that number. 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. 2022 also marks the debut of the electric-powered Ford F-150 lightning, but we don’t yet have towing numbers on that model.
Pros & Cons
- The undisputed towing champ overall, and many versions have high tow ratings
- Efficient engines don’t require much sacrifice in towing ability
- A refined driver with good tech features
- Top-shelf models get crazy expensive
- Not quite as refined as Ram when not trailering
- No standalone hybrid trim, diesel dropped for 2022
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2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Price Starting From
$31,500Why We Picked It
The Silverado gets major changes for 2022 that will make it a more competitive truck all around, and its towing prowess has increased as a result. 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 now 10,295 pounds, driven up by almost 1,000 pounds by increases in the Silverado diesel’s towing capacity for 2022. One important 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.
Pros & Cons
- Good powertrain choices are made even better for 2022, with higher towing capacities
- Major upgrades in standard safety features, plus excellent trailer monitoring tech
- Vastly improved interior in all but work-truck grade
- Not as refined as Ford or Ram, and loses out to Ford on brawn
- Rough ride over broken pavement
- Many desirable features still cost extra
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#1 in Best Pickups For 2021
Why We Picked It
This year’s total redesign jumps the 2022 Toyota Tundra into the top tier of trucks thanks to fuel economy, powertrain, technology, cabin noise and comfort improvements. Towing capacity is improved too, rising to a maximum of 12,700 pounds from the outgoing 2021’s 10,200. Line wide, the average Tundra can pull 10,693 pounds, and while some versions max at 8,300, most are above 9,800, so few buyers will be disappointed. Power comes only from a 3.5-liter V6, but a hybrid is available and the new Tundra also gets upgraded trailer monitoring and driver assistance tech.
Pros & Cons
- Updated technology, including larger screens
- Much improved fuel economy and towing capacity
- Extensive advanced driver assistance suite
- Poor fuel economy
- Slow six-speed automatic transmission
- Can’t match rivals on refinement or interior comfort
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Why We Picked It
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, and now has the Toyota Tundra nipping at its heels. 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 drags the line-wide average down to 9,080 pounds. The Ram’s tech suite also includes a surround-view camera system with reverse guidance, a big help when maneuvering.
Pros & Cons
- Considerable towing power from thrifty diesel V6
- Lots of technology and configuration choices
- Excellent handling, refinement, and ride for the class
- Ford’s hybrid and diesel models can tow more
- Cheaper, lower-end models lack towing capacity
- Burliest tow ratings reserved for quad cab
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Why We Picked It
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. For 2022 the model will get many of the same upgrades as the 2022 Silverado, including towing capacity increases to a maximum of 13,200 pounds, with the line-wide average rising to 9,898 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. When the 2022 Sierra becomes available, we’ll update this list.
Pros & Cons
- Many versions with plenty of towing power
- Trick tailgate and trailer-safety tech
- Handsome styling
- Low maximum tow ratings compared with rivals
- Pricier than it feels
- Rough ride
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2022 Ram 1500 Classic
Price Starting From
$29,515Why We Picked It
The Ram 1500 Classic is essentially the previous-generation Ram 1500, sold in limited configurations, including a regular cab, alongside the new one at a discount price. The pared back the lineup focuses primarily on work trucks. There are two engines, and with Ram’s older 3.6-liter V6 the Classic barely measures up against midsize trucks on towing, which drags the line-wide average way down. 5.7-liter V8 versions, however, have tow ratings ranging from 8,060 to 10,680 pounds. 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.
Pros & Cons
- V8 versions still competent towing trucks
- Many cab, box, and axle combinations for different needs
- Bargain price for a full-size truck
- Bargain-bin V6 models bested on towing by much smaller trucks
- Ancient design, lack of safety tech
- Mediocre fuel economy
Specs
Why We Picked It
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. The 2022 Nissan Titan will carry over almost unchanged from 2021.
Pros & Cons
- Powerful, refined V8
- Towing ability in line with many other lineup’s averages
- Interior is comfy and peaceful – for a truck
- Only four basic configurations
- Clunky ride
- Mediocre fuel economy
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Why We Picked It
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. New in 2021, the Ram TRX will carry over into 2022 with only minor changes.
Pros & Cons
- Amazing off-road performance, but can still tow
- Go-anywhere all-terrain confidence
- Comfortable, spacious cabin
- Maxes out at 8,200 pounds
- A big bill at every fill-up
- Poor surrounding visibility
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Why We Picked It
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.
Pros & Cons
- Tops among midsize trucks for maximum tow rating
- Smooth, compliant ride
- Handsome styling
- Few driver-assist features, and none standard
- Base engine won’t tow more than 3,500 pounds
- Top trims not as premium as price tag suggests
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Why We Picked It
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. For 2022, the Gladiator will carry over unchanged.
Pros & Cons
- Rugged looks, go-anywhere image
- Supreme off-road abilities
- Excellent utility, with up to 7,650 pounds of towing capacity
- Short on safety systems and crash test data
- High price rises quickly with options
- Poor on-road handling not helped by trailering
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Why We Picked It
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.
Pros & Cons
- Good safety systems
- Compact package for a modern truck
- Tows up to 7,500 pounds without much loss of performance
- EcoBoost engines turbos are unusually loud
- Bland styling, dated cabin
- Would benefit greatly from more tech
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Why We Picked It
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 and not particularly nice to drive, 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.
Pros & Cons
- A good value, with lots of configuration choices
- Capable of hauling light boats, campers, and other small trailers
- Toyota Safety Sense P standard on all trims
- Spartan interior, cramped back seat
- The off-road-ready suspension is still harsh on rough roads
- Base engine best avoided, and not worthwhile for towing
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Before heading down to the dealership, it’s important to determine your specific trailering needs and to understand the terminology associated with trailering.
Choosing the right truck for towing:
We’ve focused on the best trucks for towing in the 6,000 to 13,000-pound range, which is generally midsize and light-duty full-size pickups. If you’re towing only light campers, equipment trailers, or kayaks, a light-duty midsize truck will do, but for larger campers, car trailers, or boat towing, a full-size truck will be required. If you’re looking to tow more than 13,000 pounds regularly, a heavy-duty truck may be more appropriate, and we’ll be adding a list of those vehicles later this year.
Some terms to familiarize yourself with:
Axle Ratios:
Maximum towing capacity ratings often come from numerically higher gear ratios. For example, the Ram 1500 Classic achieves its 10,680-pound tow rating with a 3.92 axle ratio, but the same truck will only haul 8,510 pounds with the standard 3.21 axle. The higher the number, the more power is being put into each turn of the drive wheels. That’s good for the low-end power needed for towing, but it means your engine works harder at speed on the highway and will probably get worse gas mileage.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and Payload Capacity:
The maximum safe weight limit of a vehicle, including the vehicle’s weight and all of the contents within (including cargo, fuel and passengers). It also includes the tongue weight of a trailer, as that weight is placed on the rear half of the vehicle. For this reason, it’s essential to know how much you’re carrying and the tongue weight of any trailers. A truck’s payload capacity is the GVWR minus the vehicle’s weight as measured with a full tank of fuel. The tongue weight of a trailer needs to fit within the payload capacity.
Gross Vehicle Combined Weight Rating (GCWR):
The weight of the vehicle and trailer combined. For the F-150, the maximum GCWR is a steep 19,500 pounds, but if you’re traveling with four passengers and heavy equipment in the bed, the amount that can be towed is going to be reduced because the truck is already bearing a hefty amount of weight. Unlike the GVWR, which can be found on a vehicle’s door jamb labels, the GCWR is typically found on manufacturer websites or within owner’s manuals.
Trailer Tongue Weight:
The amount of the trailer’s weight that sits on the tow hitch and is therefore borne by the truck. The tongue weight is typically 10 to 15% of a trailer’s weight. Because the tongue weight needs to be factored into the GVWR, it can limit how many people and how much cargo you can load into your truck while towing.
Methodology
These trucks were selected for three main criteria: 1) the ranking by Forbes Wheels staff, 2) the array of towing capacities across the individual trucks’ lineups and their versatility for different towing needs and 3) their maximum towing capacities overall. The availability of trailer-assistance technology, from integrated trailer braking tech to advanced camera views and driver-assist technology, was also a consideration. To make the list, trucks had to be capable of towing a minimum of at least 6,500 pounds, though not all trims need qualify.
This list contains a mixture of 2021 and 2022 model year vehicles. Our rating methodology has been expanded from five to seven categories for 2022. As such, ratings of the same vehicle between these two model years may differ slightly.
For 2022, our ratings categories are:
- Performance
- Fuel Economy
- Safety
- Infotainment
- Comfort & Room
- Cargo Space & Storage
- Style & Design
Overall: 100 points
- Performance (15 points) The Performance score is a subjective assessment of a vehicle’s handling, braking, acceleration, ride quality and other qualitative performance measures such as horsepower, torque, zero-to-60 time and top speed. Towing capability for trucks and SUVs also is considered. Performance of the vehicles is compared against the identified competitive set. While driving, reviewers look for attributes relative to the expectations set by the manufacturer and by consumer expectations.
- Fuel Economy (15 points) The Fuel Economy score is based on the combined mpg estimate for the entire model lineup and how that figure measures against the identified competitive set. The mpg estimates are based on EPA data or the manufacturer if no EPA data is available. Hybrid and plug-in electric variants within a lineup that significantly lower their overall average will not be included in the comparison unless the competitive set also have hybrid or PHEV variants. Scoring for pure electric vehicles will be based on kilowatts consumed per 100 miles and the comparative mile per gallon equivalent, or MPGe.
- Safety (15 points) The Safety score is based on crash test results from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Vehicles not yet rated by either agency receive zero points. Also included in the safety rating are points awarded for certain advanced driver-assistance safety features offered as standard equipment on the base trim. There are nine safety features Forbes Wheels considers mandatory for the standard offering: forward emergency automatic braking, forward collision warning, automatic high beams, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning or one of its higher-level variants, lane keeping assistance or lane centering. Vehicles must have at least four of these in their standard offering to receive points. Vehicles that offer a Level 2 self-driving system, (a combination of adaptive cruise control and lane centering) are eligible for a bonus point.
- Infotainment (15 points) The Infotainment score is based on points awarded for certain features offered as standard equipment on the base trim. Forbes Wheels identifies certain features that are growing in popularity and therefore have been adopted by both premium and mainstream automakers. Some of these features include a minimum 7-inch touchscreen (or premium vehicles that use a rotary knob, touchpad or other mechanism to control a non-touchscreen display), wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a customizable, digital driver information display or instrument panel and at least 2 USB ports. Additional points are awarded for popular features that haven’t been widely adopted in mainstream vehicles such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and wireless charging capabilities.
- Comfort & Room (15 points) The Comfort & Room score is based on points awarded for the reviewer’s assessment of the vehicle’s comfort, ergonomics and overall interior feel as well as effective use of space. Points also are awarded for the measurement of rear-seat legroom and how it compares with the identified competitive set. Vehicles that offer a segment-best legroom in either rear seat or optional third row are eligible for a bonus point.
- Cargo Space & Storage (15 points) The Cargo Space & Storage score is based on points awarded for the reviewer’s assessment of the vehicle’s large and small cargo spaces (as well as small-item storage) and how well they serve their purpose and effective use of space. Reviewers also consider innovative storage solutions and flexible loading features. Points also are awarded for the cargo space measurements for rear cargo hold or trunk and how it compares with the identified competitive set. Vehicles that offer a segment-best cargo or trunk space are eligible for a bonus point.
- Styling (10 points) The Styling score is a subjective assessment of a vehicle’s overall styling and design, inside and out. Reviewers also consider the configuration of the interior and how well the design plays into the function. Build quality also is a consideration.