SUVs that can tow 7,000 pounds and up
Body-on-frame SUVs with real tow ratings, including 2026 numbers, what gets you to the higher figure, and what each one is actually built for.
If you need an SUV that handles a 7,000 lb trailer, you’re looking at body-on-frame, V8 or twin-turbo V6, with the right axle ratio and tow package. Crossovers don’t make this list. Here are the ones that do.
Tow rating only tells half the story. Payload (your truck’s GVWR minus its curb weight) is usually the actual limit once you add people, gear, and tongue weight. Always pull the door jamb sticker for the specific configuration before buying.
| SUV (2026) | Max tow rating | Engine that gets you there |
|---|---|---|
| Ford Expedition | 9,300 lb | 3.5L EcoBoost V6, Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow |
| Lincoln Navigator | 8,700 lb | 3.5L twin-turbo V6 |
| Cadillac Escalade | 8,300 lb | 6.2L V8 |
| Chevrolet Tahoe / GMC Yukon | 8,400 lb | 5.3L V8 with Max Trailering |
| Chevrolet Suburban / GMC Yukon XL | 8,300 lb | 5.3L V8 with Max Trailering |
| Jeep Wagoneer | 10,000 lb | 3.0L Hurricane I6 |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | 7,200 to 7,400 lb | 5.7L V8 (depending on trim) |
| Toyota Sequoia | 9,520 lb | 3.4L i-FORCE MAX hybrid V6 |
| Nissan Armada / Infiniti QX80 | 8,500 lb | 3.5L twin-turbo V6 (2025 redesign) |
| Dodge Durango R/T | 8,700 lb | 5.7L V8 with Tow N Go |
Ford Expedition (and Expedition Max)
The 3.5L EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 with the Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package pulls 9,300 lb in two-wheel drive, 9,200 lb in 4WD. The Max wheelbase adds passenger and cargo room but drops the rating slightly.
The HD trailer package adds the integrated trailer brake controller, Pro Trailer Backup Assist, blind-spot monitoring that covers the trailer, and a heavy-duty radiator. Without the package, you’re looking at numbers in the low 6,000s.
Ford recall 26C10 covers 2022 to 2026 Expedition for the Integrated Trailer Module software fault. Check the campaign status before towing if you bought before March 2026.
Lincoln Navigator
Mechanically the Expedition with leather. The 3.5L twin-turbo V6 with the HD tow package pulls 8,700 lb in two-wheel drive, 8,300 lb in 4WD. The L (extended wheelbase) drops to 8,400 / 8,100 lb.
Same recall applies (2022 to 2026 Navigator).
Cadillac Escalade
6.2L V8 with the Max Trailering package gets you 8,300 lb. The diesel inline-six pulls less but returns better mileage on the way back empty. Like its GM siblings, this is a body-on-frame chassis sharing bones with the Tahoe and Suburban.
Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Suburban, Yukon XL
The 5.3L V8 with the Max Trailering package gets the Tahoe and Yukon to 8,400 lb (two-wheel drive). The longer Suburban and Yukon XL drop to 8,300 lb. Four-wheel drive shaves another 200 lb off either.
The 6.2L V8 is the more powerful engine but actually drops the rating slightly in some trims because of curb weight. The Duramax 3.0L inline-six diesel is the towing dark horse: 8,000 lb plus 27 mpg highway.
Jeep Wagoneer (and Grand Wagoneer)
The reborn Wagoneer is the towing leader among full-size SUVs at 10,000 lb with the 3.0L Hurricane straight-six and the right rear axle. Air suspension levels the rear under load, which helps with travel trailers that put a lot of weight on the hitch.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
The smaller Jeep crosses 7,000 lb only with the 5.7L V8 (about 7,200 lb 4WD, 7,400 lb RWD) or the older EcoDiesel V6. The standard 3.6L Pentastar tops out at 6,200 lb, which puts it under the 7,000 lb bar.
Toyota Sequoia
The 2023 redesign brought the i-FORCE MAX hybrid powertrain (3.4L twin-turbo V6 plus electric motor) and a 9,520 lb max rating. The hybrid system shines on grades, less so for long flat highway pulls because it’s a small battery doing big work. The TRD Pro is rated lower (8,980 lb) because of the added off-road weight.
The 2026 Toyota 4Runner tops out around 6,000 lb, which is why it didn’t make the table.
Nissan Armada and Infiniti QX80
The 2025 redesign brought the 3.5L twin-turbo V6 (replacing the old 5.6L V8). Tow rating is 8,500 lb with either driveline. The QX80 is the luxury sibling, same chassis, same tow rating.
Dodge Durango R/T
The R/T’s 5.7L Hemi V8 with the Tow N Go package gets you 8,700 lb. The Hellcat variant is faster but rated the same. The 3.6L V6 Durango tops out around 6,200 lb, the 5.7L without Tow N Go is around 7,400 lb.
What to actually check before buying for towing
Tow rating is one number on the sticker. The others matter just as much:
- Payload (GVWR minus curb weight). A loaded family of four plus gear can eat 1,000 to 1,200 lb before the trailer even hooks up. Tongue weight then adds 10 to 15% of the trailer’s weight to the rear axle.
- GCWR. Gross combined weight rating. The truck and trailer together can’t exceed this number. It’s the one most people forget.
- Rear axle ratio. A 3.73 axle typically tows more than a 3.21. The brochure has both.
- Trailer brake controller. Built-in is better than aftermarket. The Ford, GM, and Stellantis full-size trucks all offer factory units, and they integrate with the truck’s stability system.
- Cooling package. A heavy-duty radiator and transmission cooler is usually part of the tow package. Skip it and you’ll see transmission temperatures climb fast on grades.
FAQ
Can a 4Runner tow 7,000 lb? No. The 2026 4Runner tops out at 6,000 lb. The Sequoia is Toyota’s body-on-frame answer past 7,000 lb.
Do hybrid SUVs tow well? The Sequoia i-FORCE MAX, Wagoneer 4xe, and Grand Cherokee 4xe all tow respectably but the battery does work hard on long grades. Hybrid systems shine on stop-and-go, not on three-hour pulls up I-70.
Does a tow package always include a hitch? The factory tow package usually includes a hitch, a wiring harness with a 7-pin connector, a transmission cooler, and (in most newer trucks) an integrated brake controller. Always read the package list before assuming.