What Can My Truck Tow? [Inc. Specs for Popular Models]

Towing capacities are an essential feature for any pickup. Whether you need to haul a large piece of furniture or a travel trailer, there is a truck for you. The hard part is deciding what is the best pickup to meet your towing needs. Lucky for you, we have looked into a wide range of trucks and their towing capabilities to help you determine what you can tow.

There is no standard towing capacity for all trucks. These towing ranges still vary depending on the year of your truck. To be sure about how much your vehicle can tow, it is always better to check your VIN or look in the owner's manual. To calculate the weight using the VIN, subtract the curb weight from the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating listed near the VIN.

The towing capabilities for the most popular pickups on the market:

Full-sized trucks:

Ford F-150— 6,000 to 13,200 pounds
Ford F-250— 12,500 to 19,000 pounds
Ram 1500— 7,600 to 12,750 pounds
Chevy Silverado 1500— 6,700 to 13,400 pounds
GMC Sierra— 6,500 to 12,100 pounds

Mid-sized trucks:

Toyota Tacoma— 3,500 to 6,800 pounds
Nissan Frontier— 3,800 to 6,700 pounds
Ford Ranger— 3,500 to 7,500 pounds
Chevy Colorado— 3,500 to 7,000 pounds
Honda Ridgeline— 3,500 to 5,000 pounds

So, now that you know about truck towing weight, you probably want to know what exactly you can pull. Keep reading to find out more information about recommended travel trailers and fifth wheels for each of the above trucks.

Full-Sized Trucks

Also known as heavy-duty trucks, full-sized trucks typically have more powerful engines. The extra push from their engines means they can tow more massive amounts than mid-sized trucks. If you are on the hunt for a truck with the highest towing capacity possible, a full-sized truck is the way to go.

Ford F-150

Newer F-150s have six engine options, so the buyer gets to decide. Each engine has a different towing capacity. Currently, the latest F-150 version with a 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine has the highest of the models. It can pull 13,200 pounds.

Ford offers a Trailer Tow Package. The special includes a wiring harness, a hitch-receiver, and a suspension system to handle the extra weight. This comes in handy if you plan to pull a trailer frequently.

The Heartland Milestone is perfect for some F-150s.

This is a 5th wheel, so it is one of the heaviest towable RV options. But, some Ford F-150s can handle it. This spacious RV has plenty of room for the whole family. The best part is that once you have a parking spot for a few days, you can unhitch the 5th wheel from your trusty F-150 and take it for a drive without your comfy home away from home attached.

The Jayco Eagle HTX is another excellent choice.

This towable camper can weigh as little as 7, 355 pounds. Almost any newer F-150 can handle this 5th wheel. Jayco is a trusted RV company, and The Eagle exemplifies their attention to quality and comfort.

Ford F-250

The F-250 is the next level up from the F-150. To see more Ford trucks, check out this blog post. This pickup is capable of towing much more than a simple trailer. Ford offers a High Capacity Trailer Tow Package or a 5th Wheel/Gooseneck Hitch Prep Package. Either one of these will set you up for all of your towing needs. All you have to do is get the trailer/5th wheel.

The Winnebago Voyage is an excellent 5th wheel for any F-250 to tow.

Many owners love this luxurious 5th wheel. It is on the heavier side, so only newer F-250 made for towing heavy loads can pull this RV. But trust us, the extra weight is worth all the amenities this 5th wheel comes with.

Ram 1500

This popular truck is known for its towing abilities. The 5.7L HEMI V8 engine with eTorque is made for heavy cargo.

If you are looking for a 5th wheel for this truck to pull, The Gulfstream Sedona is a great choice.

Every floorplan of this customizable 5th wheel is within the range of the Ram 1500. Also, it is a very affordable RV option. You can maximize your comfort and not stress about finances.

Chevy Silverado 1500

The Silverado is another heavy-duty pickup truck made for towing. The newest version can tow over 13,000 pounds! Chevy has a wide variety of hitches you can add to your new vehicle as well. You can buy a truck ready to pull a trailer and hit the open road for a trip. And, if you are interested in more Chevy trucks, check out this blog post.

Once you have your new truck equipped with a 5th wheel hitch, The Keystone Avalanche is an excellent 5th wheel for any Chevy Silverado 1500 to tow.

The Avalanche has 20 floorplans to choose from. All of them are within the towing capacity of the Silverado.

GMC Sierra

Some Sierras can pull over 12,000 pounds. No matter what job you need to get done, this truck will be able to help you out. You can also add a ProGrade Trailering System to whichever version you choose. It will get you all set for hitching a trailer or 5th wheel.

The Sierra could easily haul the KZ Sportsman Classic travel trailer.

This compact RV can sleep up to eight people, so there is space for your whole family plus more.

Mid-Sized Trucks

Mid-sized pickups tend to have less towing power than their full-sized counterparts. However, there are plenty of trailers mid-sized pickups can pull. If you are not looking for maximum towing weight, and want to be able to pull a smaller travel trailer, the following trucks would be great options for you.

Also, mid-sized trucks tend to better off-roading. So, if you want to go on more adventures once you find a spot to park your travel trailer, this is the vehicle choice for you.

Toyota Tacoma

This popular mid-sized truck can pull almost 7,000 pounds. There is a Tow Package available for purchase to help you maximize the truck's hauling capabilities. This extra package includes Trailer-Sway Control, which makes driving much less problematic when you are pulling a large amount of weight. The system manages engine torque and changes brake pressure on individual wheels, so the ride is more stable.

Once you get your ride ready to pull, The Forest River Aurora is the perfect travel trailer for the Tacoma.

Its compact design can hold up to four people. As a bonus, there is even a full-sized bathtub. You can use your Tacoma to pull the comforts of home behind you.

Nissan Frontier

The Frontier is the best seller from Nissan. You can add on a Nissan Tow Hitch Receiver and a Genuine Nissan Accessory Hitch Ball to any version of the Frontier. These add-ons make your rig ready for pulling.

The Jayco Feather Micro complements the Nissan Frontier well.

This lightweight travel trailer has everything you need for the perfect getaway. Don't let the compact size deceive you, because once you step inside you will see how spacious it feels. It's great for weekend adventures, just like the Frontier.

Ford Ranger

This customizable mid-sized truck has advanced terrain technology to tow in almost any condition. The new Ford Rangers have fortified steel frames and automatically come with high-grade steel bumpers and tow hooks. This durable material means your truck is ready for whatever you choose to tow.

Another great feature of all Ford vehicles is the grueling testing done before any model is available for purchase. The Ranger has been pushed to its limits in challenging conditions, which means you can be sure that as long as whatever you are towing in within the Ranger weight capacity, you will arrive at your destination safely.

The Keystone Passport travel trailer is the perfect fit for this truck.

It is filled with pivoting furniture, so space is maximized. The classy interior will have you living a life of luxury at any campsite you choose to take it to with the Ford Ranger.

Chevy Colorado

This is another powerful mid-sized pickup. The Chevy Colorado is close to being a full-sized truck with its strong motor and stylish design. If you can't decide between a full-sized option and a mid-sized option, this may be the best of both truck styles.

The durable construction material and powerful engine make towing almost any travel trailer possible.

An excellent trailer option is The Gulf Stream Vista Cruiser.

This premium travel trailer is ideal for two travelers. There is just enough space to fit everything you need. Pair it with the Chevy Colorado, and you have a fun-filled adventure ahead of you.

Honda Ridgeline

The Ridgeline with a 280-horsepower V-6 engine can tow up to 5,000 pounds. This isn't the strongest mid-sized truck out there, but for most truck owners, it is powerful enough to meet their needs. Most of the new Honda Ridgelines come equipped with a standard integrated tow hitch. This feature is great because you don't have to pay more to get your truck ready for hauling a trailer.

The Forest River R-Pod has a variety of floorplans to fit all of your needs.

This uniquely-shaped travel trailer has thirteen floor plans from which to choose. New Honda Ridgelines can pull almost all of them. The sleek design would look great behind a stylish Ridgeline.

What Do I Need To Tow A Trailer?

Once you have a truck, the next step to towing is to obtain the right equipment to attach your travel trailer or 5th wheel safely. There are a few necessary parts you will need to get your truck ready for towing:

Trailer hitch receiver
Trailer hitch ball
Ball mount
Pin and clip
Wiring harness

As mentioned above, some trucks come with some of these components. For others, you can add them to your purchase. But, do not worry if your truck doesn't come equipped with these parts. There are plenty of places to buy them.

Just remember, you must have the proper equipment before you can safely tow anything.

Start Towing Today

Trucks have a wide range of towing capabilities. They can pull all sorts of things. Full-sized trucks have more powerful engines and will usually be able to haul the most weight. However, mid-sized trucks are still an excellent option for most people. They are more than capable of meeting your towing needs.

Every truck model has a different pulling capacity. It all depends on the year of the truck because the same model can have different towing limits depending on its release year. So, if you already own a truck and are curious about its specific towing range, use the VIN to research it. This is the most effective method to find a particular truck's tow limit. It may also be written in the owner's manual.

Then, the next step is to get a travel trailer or 5th wheel within the range, so you can start adventuring soon!