Top New & Used Vehicles for Towing
Looking for a pickup with powerful towing capability?
See our list of affordable trucks and SUVs.
When hitching up to tow your travel trailer, horse trailer or boat out for the weekend, the old adage “no replacement for displacement” most certainly applies. If you plan to do any serious towing (more than taking an old utility trailer to the dump or ferrying a U-Haul trailer once per year), you need some decent horsepower and torque.
Decades ago, it was common to see over-taxed vehicles towing campers or boats across America’s highways. Not anymore. Most savvy buyers today know they should buy a little more truck than they need in order to tow safely, successfully and often.
For example, if your travel trailer weighs 4,500 pounds dry, it can easily weigh 5,200 pounds or higher once you factor in water, food, clothing, camping accessories and more. You can easily hit 5,800 pounds once you factor in several people, firewood and a dog. In this scenario, it would make sense to purchase a vehicle with a tow capacity of at least 6,000 pounds.
Many experts say you shouldn’t tow within ⅔ capacity—meaning if your truck is rated for 9,000 pounds, you really shouldn’t tow or haul more than a combined weight of 6,000 pounds. The list below contains trucks and SUVs that primarily utilize a V8 or diesel engine, sorted by varying price points. Some V6 vehicles have enough grunt to tow 7,000 pounds, but remember: you don’t want to overload the truck or SUV with stuff in the bed and a heavy trailer.
Buying a new or used vehicle that has the engine power needed to meet your towing needs isn’t for the faint of heart. Many modern diesel motors are more expensive to refuel, not to mention the elevated cost to purchase a vehicle with such a large engine. Most diesels require special maintenance every 10,000 miles or so using a substance called “Urea,” which helps with emissions.
But if everyday (or every weekend) towing is in your future, nothing beats a V8 or diesel for capability and reliability.
Best Used Trucks Under $15K
- Ford Super Duty Diesel Model years: 1999-2003, 2008-2010; Towing capacity: up to 13,900 lbs.
- Chevrolet Silverado HD Diesel Model years: 2000-2007; Towing capacity: up to 13,000 lbs.
- Ram Heavy Duty Diesel Model years: 2003-2007; Towing capacity: up to 16,000 lbs.
- Ford F-150 (5.4 L V8) Model years: 2009-2014; Towing capacity: up to 11,200 lbs.
- Toyota Tundra Model years: 2007-2013; Towing capacity: up to 10,800 lbs.
- Nissan Titan Model years: 2004-2014; Towing capacity: up to 9,400 lbs.
Best Used Trucks Under $30K
- Ford Super Duty Diesel Model years: 1999-2003, 2008-2010; Towing capacity: up to 13,900 lbs.
- Chevrolet Silverado HD Diesel Model years: 2000-2007; Towing capacity: up to 13,000 lbs.
- Chevrolet Colorado GMC Canyon Model years: 2014-2018; Towing capacity: up to 7,000 lbs.
- Ram Heavy Duty Diesel Model years: 2003-2007; Towing capacity: up to 16,000 lbs.
- Ford F-150 (5.4 L V8) Model years: 2009-2014; Towing capacity: up to 11,200 lbs.
- Toyota Tundra Model years: 2007-2013; Towing capacity: up to 10,800 lbs.
- Nissan Titan Model years: 2016-2018; Towing capacity: up to 12,300 lbs.
Best SUVs Under $15K
- Nissan Armada Model years: 2003-2015; Towing capacity: up to 9,000 lbs.
- Nissan Pathfinder Model years: 2005-2012; Towing capacity: up to 6,000 lbs.
- Chevrolet Tahoe & Suburban/GMC Yukon Model years: 2007-2014; Towing capacity: up to 8,200 lbs.
- Dodge Durango (5.7 L HEMI) Model years: 2004-2009; Towing capacity: up to 8,900 lbs.
- Ford Excursion Model years: 2000-2005; Towing capacity: up to 9,200 lbs.
- Ford Expedition/Lincoln Navigator Model years: 2007-2014; Towing capacity: up to 8,500 lbs.
- Toyota Sequoia Model years: 2008-2011; Towing capacity: up to 6,500 lbs.
- Jeep Grand Cherokee Model years: 2008-2012; Towing capacity: up to 7,400 lbs.
Best SUVs Under $30K
- Ford Expedition/Lincoln Navigator Model years: 2014-2016; Towing capacity: up to 8,500 lbs.
- Chevrolet Tahoe & Suburban/GMC Yukon Model years: 2015-2017; Towing capacity: up to 8,300 lbs.
- Toyota Sequoia Model years: 2012-2017; Towing capacity: up to 7,400 lbs.
- Dodge Durango Model years: 2012-2018; Towing capacity: up to 7,400 lbs.
- Jeep Grand Cherokee Model years: 2013-2017; Towing capacity: up to 7,400 lbs.
- Nissan Armada Model years: 2014-2018; Towing capacity: up to 9,000 lbs.
Searching for a dependable truck that can get the job done and exceed your towing needs?
Look no further! Conveniently located in downtown Sedalia, Bryant Motors always has an awesome selection of new and used vehicles designed with towing in mind—including some of the best used trucks for towing your toys. Select your preferred vehicle type below, or take a look at our current inventory.
If we don’t have exactly what you want in stock, we’ll help you find a reliable car, truck or SUV for your needs — at the price point you’re looking for! Learn more about our one-of-a-kind concierge service.
