Best trucks for towing in 2026 by capacity and price
Current tow ratings for 2026 trucks across half-ton, heavy duty, and mid-size, with the engine and config required to hit the maximum number.
The headline tow number you see on a manufacturer site almost never applies to the truck on the dealer lot. Maximum ratings require a specific engine, cab, bed, axle ratio, and tow package combination. Order the wrong drivetrain and your “13,500 lb truck” tows 9,200.
Here’s where the real numbers land for 2026, and what trim/config gets you there.
Half-ton (1500-series) trucks
| Truck | Max tow (2026) | Config needed |
|---|---|---|
| Ford F-150 | 13,500 lb | 3.5L EcoBoost, Max Tow, SuperCrew 6.5’ box, 4x4 |
| Chevy Silverado 1500 | 13,300 lb | 3.0L Duramax diesel, Double Cab, Max Trailering, 2WD |
| Ram 1500 | 11,610 lb | 3.0L Hurricane twin-turbo I6, RWD |
| Toyota Tundra | 12,000 lb | i-FORCE 3.4L V6 hybrid, SR5, 4x2 |
The F-150 holds the half-ton tow crown for 2026 with the 3.5L EcoBoost and the Max Tow package. The Silverado is a hair behind on tow but ahead on cab choice for that rating. Ram trades a bit of capacity for the coil-spring rear and the smoother ride.
If you’re towing 7,000 to 10,000 lb, any of these in 5.0L/5.3L/5.7L V8 trim handles it without drama. The headline number matters at the top end.
Heavy duty trucks (2500/3500)
| Truck | Max conventional tow | Max gooseneck/5th-wheel |
|---|---|---|
| Ford F-450 SD | ~24,000 lb | 40,000 lb |
| Ram 3500 HD | ~23,000 lb | 36,610 lb (max trailer weight) |
| Chevy Silverado 3500HD | ~22,500 lb | 36,000 lb |
| GMC Sierra 3500HD | ~22,500 lb | 36,000 lb |
These numbers are diesel-only and require dual rear wheels plus the heaviest trailer hitch package. Single-rear-wheel 3500s and 2500s drop into the 18,000 to 20,000 lb range, which is still more than most fifth-wheel RVs weigh fully loaded.
Ford’s 6.7L Power Stroke makes 500 hp and 1,200 lb-ft. Ram’s 6.7L Cummins HO makes 430 hp and 1,075 lb-ft. The Chevy/GMC 6.6L Duramax sits between them. All three pull more than most people will ever need.
Ford recall 26C10 (NHTSA 26V104000) affects 2022 to 2026 Super Duty trucks for an Integrated Trailer Module software fault. The OTA fix went out in March 2026. If you’re shopping used Super Duty, confirm the fix is applied before towing.
Mid-size and compact trucks
| Truck | Max tow | Best engine |
|---|---|---|
| Jeep Gladiator | 7,700 lb | 3.6L V6 with tow package |
| Toyota Tacoma | 6,500 lb | 2.4L turbo i-FORCE Max hybrid |
| Chevy Colorado / GMC Canyon | 7,700 lb | 2.7L turbo |
| Ford Ranger | 7,500 lb | 2.3L EcoBoost |
| Hyundai Santa Cruz | 5,000 lb | 2.5L turbo |
| Ford Maverick | 4,000 lb | 2.0L EcoBoost with 4K Tow |
Mid-size trucks make sense if you’re towing a single-axle trailer, a small camper, or a couple of jet skis. Past 5,000 lb the half-ton trucks ride better, stop better, and don’t fight crosswinds as hard.
The Maverick is the cheapest way to tow anything from a new vehicle. The 4K Tow package on the 2.0L EcoBoost is the one to get if towing matters. Skip the hybrid for any towing duty.
What actually limits towing
Tow capacity is one number among four. The others bite first more often than people expect.
Payload (GVWR minus curb weight): This is what’s left after the truck itself. Tongue weight from a conventional trailer eats payload. A 10,000 lb trailer puts 1,000 to 1,500 lb on the hitch, which leaves very little for passengers and cargo in a SuperCrew 4x4 with a sunroof.
GCWR (gross combined weight rating): Truck plus trailer fully loaded. The 13,500 lb F-150 number assumes a 5,000 lb truck. Order it loaded and the truck itself is closer to 5,700, which knocks 700 lb off the tow rating.
Rear axle ratio: A 3.55 axle gets you fuel economy and a lower tow number. A 3.73 or 4.10 gets you the headline tow number and worse fuel economy. You order this when you buy, or you live with what the dealer stocked.
Brakes: Anything over 3,000 lb (sometimes 1,500 lb depending on state law) needs trailer brakes. Most modern trucks have an integrated brake controller; check that the trailer you’re buying is wired for it.
Picking one
Daily driver, occasional 6,000 to 8,000 lb tow: any half-ton with the tow package and a V8 or twin-turbo six. Order with a 3.55 or 3.73 axle.
Frequent 10,000+ lb towing or a fifth-wheel: 3/4-ton diesel. The Cummins, Power Stroke, and Duramax all do the job. Brand loyalty decides the rest.
Light tow on a budget: Maverick with the 4K Tow package, around $28,000 new.
Off-road and tow combined: Gladiator Rubicon or Tacoma TRD Off-Road. Both lose some tow capacity for the lift and lockers.