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Best Trucks for Towing

The highest towing-capacity pickup trucks for 2025

May 22nd, 2025

Choosing the best truck for towing is a bit of a balancing act. You want to find a truck that not only has a high enough trailering limit for the task at hand, whether it be towing a camper or cargo, but you also need to factor in how much truck you can afford, which can get out of hand if you're not careful.

Luckily, there are many great choices of trucks that can tow cargo of all sizes. Edmunds rates trucks in four categories — small, midsize, large and heavy-duty — and these are our best picks.


Best Small Trucks for Towing

  1. With a higher base and optional towing capacity, the Hyundai Santa Cruz is the best small truck for towing, followed closely by the Ford Maverick. Both trucks are based on unibody chassis (shared with the Hyundai Tucson and Ford Bronco Sport, respectively). While their towing ratings aren't as high in comparison to other trucks, they make up for it with nimble around-town performance and efficiency.

  2. Starting price (including destination fee):
    $30,200
    Maximum towing capacity:
    5,000 pounds
    Maximum payload:
    1,411 pounds
    Combined mpg:
    22-25

    2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz

  3. Starting price (including destination fee):
    $29,840
    Maximum towing capacity:
    4,000 pounds
    Maximum payload:
    1,500 pounds
    Combined mpg:
    23-38

    2025 Ford Maverick


Best Midsize Trucks for Towing

  1. The best midsize truck for towing is the Chevrolet Colorado. This Edmunds Top Rated 2024 award winner can tow up to 7,700 pounds. Not far behind is the Ford Ranger, which can tow 7,500 pounds.

  2. Starting price (including destination fee):
    $33,595
    Maximum towing capacity:
    7,700 pounds
    Maximum payload:
    1,684 pounds
    Combined mpg:
    16-20

    2025 Chevrolet Colorado

  3. Starting price (including destination fee):
    $34,675
    Maximum towing capacity:
    7,500 pounds
    Maximum payload:
    1,805 pounds
    Combined mpg:
    17-23

    2025 Ford Ranger


Best Large Trucks for Towing

  1. Believe it or not, the best-selling vehicle on the market is also the best large truck for towing: the Ford F-150. Available in a staggering array of bed sizes, cab configurations, trim levels and powertrains, the popular Ford F-150 can tow up to 13,500 pounds. The new-for-2025 Ram 1500 does its best to unseat the F-150 with bold styling, a high-quality interior and up to 11,580 pounds of towing ability thanks to a new turbocharged inline-six.

  2. Starting price (including destination fee):
    $39,445
    Maximum towing capacity:
    13,500 pounds
    Maximum payload:
    2,445 pounds
    Combined mpg:
    16-23

    2025 Ford F-150

  3. Starting price (including destination fee):
    $42,370
    Maximum towing capacity:
    11,550 pounds
    Maximum payload:
    2,370 pounds
    Combined mpg:
    15-23

    2025 Ram 1500


Best Heavy-Duty Trucks for Towing

  1. If the towing roster regularly includes a fifth-wheel horse trailer or a three-axle Airstream, a heavy-duty truck is likely the best choice, offering more power and stability for bigger loads. One truck does this better than the rest: the Ram 2500, with a healthy 19,990-pound towing capacity. The Ram’s classy interior and optional Cummins turbodiesel inline-six add to its appeal, but nipping at its heels is the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD. With a tech-focused interior, extensive array of optional trailering cameras and a 22,500-pound towing cap, the heavy Chevy may be more appealing to those with big stuff to lug.

  2. Starting price (including destination fee):
    $47,660
    Maximum towing capacity:
    20,000 pounds
    Maximum payload:
    4,420 pounds

    2025 Ram 2500

  3. Starting price (including destination fee):
    $47,495
    Maximum towing capacity:
    22,420 pounds
    Maximum payload:
    3,689 pounds

    2025 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD


Best Diesel Trucks for Towing

  1. Diesel engines have the unique distinction of being torquey and fuel-efficient, making them a great choice if you have a big trailer to haul long distances. The diesel engines fitted to heavy-duty trucks can make upward of 1,000 lb-ft of torque. Diesel engines cost a bit more up front, and while they’re generally pretty reliable, routine maintenance can be costly. But if the fuel savings and capability are worth it, here are some of the best diesels for towing.

  2. Starting price (including destination fee):
    $62,050
    Maximum towing capacity:
    40,000 pounds
    Maximum payload:
    6,457 pounds

    2025 Ford F-450 Super Duty

  3. Starting price (including destination fee and diesel option):
    $64,485
    Maximum towing capacity:
    36,610 pounds
    Maximum payload capacity (diesel):
    6,050 pounds

    2025 Ram 3500

  4. Starting price (including destination fee and diesel option):
    $55,735
    Maximum towing capacity:
    13,200 pounds
    Maximum payload:
    2,240 pounds
    Combined mpg:
    24-25

    2025 GMC Sierra 1500 Duramax


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