Many trucks have the durability and strength to tow heavy loads. But some models do this task better than others. So now you’re wondering which trucks you should use for towing. We researched and consulted with different industry experts regarding this concern to give you the following answer.
Take note that there isn’t one truck that can provide every benefit for towing. Still, some models perform better than others.
One example is the 2022 Ford Super Duty F-450 Crew Cab for towing a 5th wheel. Another choice is the 2023 Ford F-150, which can be a great choice for towing a travel trailer.
So you should continue reading as we take a deeper dive into our choices for the best trucks for towing. Aside from giving you great selections on trucks for towing 5th wheels and travel trailers, we’ll also give you our recommendations for all-around use.
What Are The Best Trucks For Towing A 5th Wheel?
The typical 5th wheel has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) range of 17,000 to 20,000 pounds. Although 5th wheels are heavier than many recreational vehicles, some trucks have the power and sturdiness to haul these heavy loads across long distances.
Here are some of the best trucks to use when towing a 5th wheel that we found on the market:
1. 2022 Ford Super Duty F-450 Crew Cab
The 2022 Ford Super Duty F-450 Crew Cab is a heavy-duty truck built to tow heavy loads. It has a max towing capacity of 24,200 pounds, which is more than enough to pull most 5th wheels.
Aside from its excellent towing strength, the 2022 Super Duty F-450 Crew Cab has a blind-spot detection system. With it, users can ensure the safety of their towed loads of up to 33 feet in length.
Plus, this truck has multiple cameras to ensure the safety of the driver, its passengers, and the 5th wheel in tow.
Other notable features to experience with the 2022 Ford Super Duty F-450 Crew Cab are:
- 12-inch infotainment touchscreen display
- Voice activation system
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible
- V8 cylinder engine with 1050 pound-feet of torque at 1,600 RPM
- Persistent tire monitoring system
Gain additional insights about the 2022 Ford Super Duty F-450 Crew Cab by watching the clip below:
2. 2022 Ram 3500
While the previous truck has more than enough strength to pull 5th wheels, the 2022 Ram 3500 takes it a step further. This particular pickup truck has a maximum towing capacity of 37,090 pounds.
Complementing its towing prowess is its 6.7-liter turbo diesel engine. With these features, towing heavy 5th wheels may seem easier than expected.
The Ram 3500’s manufacturer also equipped this vehicle with a plethora of safety features. Some of the features that help ensure security while driving this truck are:
- 15-degree headlights
- 360-degree surround camera
- Always-on LED trailer hitch light
- Adaptive cruise control with automatic stop
- Forward collision warning alarm with automatic brakes
You can learn more about the 2022 Ram 3500 by watching the video below:
3. 2023 Chevrolet Silverado HD
Another contender for your next truck to tow a 5th wheel is the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado HD. Built with a maximum towing capacity of 36,000 pounds, it has the power to pull most 5th wheels on the market. In comparison, its 2500 HD sibling only has a maximum towing capacity of 18,510 pounds.
It also has a maximum available payload of 7,442 pounds. With that carrying strength, it allows you to carry many objects ranging from appliances to motorcycles with this vehicle.
With this pickup truck, users can also enjoy other great features, including:
- 8 active cameras with 15 total views
- Smart towing experience with the myChevrolet mobile app
- Multi-colored 15-inch heads-up display above the instrument panel
- Flexible tailgate to help enhance convenience in loading and unloading cargo
If you want to know more about the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado HD, watch the video below:
At this point, you might also find it interesting to learn about trucks that can tow 15,000-pound loads. If so, read our post on that topic to know your options.
What Are The Best Trucks For Towing A Travel Trailer?
The typical travel trailer weighs about 2,800 pounds. But you can find models within the 1,200 to 4,500-pound range. Make sure to take note of that weight range as you’re searching for the ideal truck for towing travel trailers.
Nonetheless, here are some excellent choices you may want to check out:
1. 2023 Ford F-150
The Ford F-150 is a relatively common name in the pickup truck sector, and with good reason. Take note that the vehicle manufacturer maintained the towing rating of the 2022 unit for the 2023 model, which is 14,000 pounds.
Although it’s not an upgrade, that towing capacity is more than enough to pull different loads, including many travel trailers.
Accompanying that excellent towing prowess is a reasonably powerful hybrid 450-horsepower V6 engine. Plus, it can support up to 3,310 pounds for its maximum payload rating.
Other features that come with the 2023 Ford F-150 are:
- 10-speed automatic transmission
- 12-inch digital instrument cluster screen
- High-strength steel frame
- Smart hitch system for a safe and convenient towing experience
You can also find out the changes made for the 2023 Ford F-150 from its predecessors by watching the video below:
2. 2022 Chevy Colorado
Bear in mind that the 2022 Chevy Colorado is less powerful than the 2023 Ford F-150 regarding towing capacity. The 2022 Colorado may only have a 7,000-pound towing rating, but that capacity should be more than sufficient for hauling different travel trailers.
Apart from its hauling prowess, this truck also comes with comfort-focused features for the driver and the passengers. Some of these features are:
- Wireless charging module
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible
- Remote features available through the myChevrolet smartphone app
The 2022 Chevy Colorado also has a corner step rear bumper and a disc brake system for additional safety. Find out more about this vehicle by watching this video:
3. 2023 Nissan Titan XD
The 2023 Nissan Titan XD has a towing rating that sits somewhere in between the strength of the 2022 Chevy Silverado and the 2023 Ford F-150. Among Nissan models, the Titan XD has a maximum towing capacity of 11,033 pounds.
With that tow weight rating, the 2023 Titan XD can haul many travel trailers and other fairly heavy loads. Its 400-horsepower engine should also handle pulling those loads in different driving scenarios.
Nissan also equipped the 2023 Titan XD with multiple safety features to promote peace of mind while driving, riding, or towing with this truck. Some of the safety technology in this vehicle includes:
- Pedestrian detection with automatic emergency brakes
- Blind spot warning alarm system
- Driving assist with lane departure warning
- Automatic high-beam activation
- Smart cruise control system
You can additional insight into this vehicle, particularly its Pro-4X variant, by watching the video below:
Our Overall Picks
Among the different trucks for towing on the market, we found certain models to exude performances for different load-hauling scenarios. Some of our top picks include:
1. 2022 Ford F-150
Despite being the predecessor of the 2023 model, the 2022 Ford F-150 is still a great contender for the best overall truck for towing for many interested buyers.
The 2022 model still has the 14,000-pound tow rating found in its newer sibling. However, shoppers may find 2022 F-150s at a lower price point than the 2023 model.
In particular, the 2022 F-150 often starts with a price of $29,640. However, the 2023 version of this truck has a price that begins at $36,380.
2. 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning
The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning falls short in displaying towing power, especially when compared to the base F-150 model. Despite the Lightning model only having a maximum tow rating of 10,000 pounds, it compensates for this drawback by promoting enhanced driving performance.
3. 2022 GMC Silverado
The 2022 GMC Silverado is the less powerful cousin of the 2023 Silverado HD mentioned earlier in this post. Nonetheless, the 2022 Silverado has a reasonably decent tow capacity of 13,200 pounds.
Plus, buyers can choose a powerful V8 engine for their purchase, along with other performance-enhancing features.
It’s also a good idea to check if your truck fits trailer brakes. Check out our post highlighting that topic to know the answer to that concern.
What's The Difference Between A Travel Trailer And A 5th Wheel?
One of the main differences between travel trailers and 5th wheels is their connections. Travel trailers often connect to towing vehicles through bumper-level hitches. On the other hand, 5th wheels typically connect to towing vehicles through hitches in truck beds.
Check out this 5th-wheel hitch on Amazon.
Final Thoughts
Make sure to base your purchase for your next truck on the type of load you want to pull. For instance, if you’re hauling a 5th wheel, you can choose from excellent options like the 2023 Silverado HD or the 2022 Ram 3500.
Take the time to look at your options to gain excellent value from the vehicle that you’re about to buy.