Which Pickup is the Best Truck for Towing?
Find the Best Truck for Towing Today
While just about every pickup truck is capable of towing to some extent, not all of them are totally built for it. If towing is a big priority of yours, it’s very important to pick out the right truck. Today, Ultimate Rides wants to help you find the overall best truck for towing. That includes new options as well as some used ones. We’re an auto dealership that specializes in custom vehicles, so it’s safe to say we know a thing or two about towing. Read through this guide and you’ll be able to get our perspective on which trucks might be best for you. When you’re ready to buy, we encourage you to reach out to our office. We can help you find exactly what you’re looking for, whether it’s new or old.
We recommend figuring out what kind of towing capabilities you need before you start shopping. That way, you’ll know exactly what you should be looking for in terms of maximum towing capacity. Also keep in mind that this number can differ greatly depending on the trim level, engine configuration and other factors on a truck. There are also a number of custom upgrades that can further prepare your truck for towing, which we’ll cover in the back half of the guide. Good luck on your vehicle search, and let us know if we can help in any other way!
Best New Heavy Duty Pickup Truck for Towing – 2022 Ram 3500
Maximum Towing Capacity: 37,090 lbs.
If you want the absolute best towing experience possible, and you don’t mind shelling out plenty of cash for it, the new 2022 Ram 3500 is going to be your best option. For a while now, Ram has lagged behind the Ford F-Series and Chevy Silverado trucks. They’ve made gains in recent years, but this may be Ram’s definitive year.
The heavy duty 3500 offers the most towing capacity when fully outfitted with the right configuration. With it, you’ll be able to haul just about anything you can think of, and do it safely. You’ll want to go with this year’s available 6.7L Cummins diesel engine configuration, which will offer the best towing capabilities with 1,075 lb.-ft. of torque. Additionally, this setup will be able to score you up to 420 horsepower.
As long as it isn’t too much of a burden on your budget, you can’t go wrong with the 2022 Ram 3500. It also has a ton of great features inside, especially if you opt for one of those fancy trim levels. Let Ultimate Rides know if you’re looking for one of these. We’ll help you find it, and we can even customize it just the way you want!
Best New Standard Size Pickup Truck for Towing – 2022 Ford F150
Maximum Towing Capacity: 14,000 lbs.
There’s no doubt you’ve heard of the Ford F150. In fact, there’s a pretty good chance that you’ve even driven one before. That’s because it has long been America’s most popular truck. It also happens to be the best standard duty option for towing this year. With the right setup, you could safely tow up to 14,000 lbs. with this truck. If you add on some custom modifications, that number can get even higher.
The F150 has a lot more to offer than just towing capability too. It excels in just about every aspect of performance. You can even find advanced interior features on some trim levels of the truck. While it may not offer the best towing capabilities, there is even an electric option for those with an eye towards the future.
As of this writing, first details are just coming out about the 2022 F150, and it’s not yet available. When it comes out, you can count on it for reliability and much more. Check in with our team at Ultimate Rides, and we can let you know as soon as we’re able to get our hands on one.
Used Trucks Known for Excellent Towing
Now that you’ve seen the best of what the 2022 model lineup has to offer, it’s time to talk about some other truck models to look out for. Below we’ll tell you about some of the other trucks that can help you tow. The best truck for towing is one that checks all of your boxes. The best thing we can do is give you information about each model. That way, you’ll be able to know what to look for as you shop around. If you have any questions or want to learn about the Ultimate Rides inventory, someone from our team will be able to assist you over the phone.
Ford F250 and F350
While we’ve told you about the F150, we haven’t yet dug into the F250 or F350. These trucks have long been considered some of the best options for towing. It’s only with this latest iteration that the Ram 3500 seems to have overtaken them in raw capability. However, no matter what model year you decide on, you can count on these trucks offering formidable performance.
Find out what engine configuration the truck is working with before making any final decisions. From there, a quick Google search should be able to tell you the truck’s maximum towing capacity. You don’t have to rely on just that, however. We offer a number of upgrades that can increase towing performance, which we’ll cover later in this guide.
For now, it’s enough to know that the Ford F250 and F350 are truly powerful pickup trucks. Depending on the model, you could find a different variety of basic or advanced comfort and convenience features as well. At the end of the day, however, performance is going to be your biggest advantage with this truck.
Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500
While it’s never exactly been the top dog, the Chevy Silverado and its sister vehicle the GMC Sierra have long been near the height of popularity and performance. If you can find one in great shape, you’re in for a treat. As with any other preowned vehicle, you’ll have to look at what trim level and engine configuration you’ve got. From there, you’ll be able to learn what towing capabilities the truck has.
Historically, the Silverado and Sierra have performed quite well in this category. For instance, the 2018 Chevy Silverado 3500 had a configuration that was able to reach up to 23,000 lbs. of towing capacity. While that may not compare to the latest heavy duty trucks, it’s certainly nothing to scoff at.
Additionally, you should be able to find a wide range of interior features available on these trucks. Whether you only care about the basics, or you want to go all out with comfort, you’ll be able to find what you need if you look hard enough.
Ram 1500
Another popular choice among drivers is the Ram 1500 pickup truck. With the right setup, it’s more than capable of holding its own when it comes to towing. It’s also one of the more common trucks to find for sale, so you should have plenty of choices available to you. Check out what engine setup is available to you and towing details will be easy to find. If you’re able to locate a diesel model, that should offer the highest torque, ensuring you have all the power you need.
The Ram 1500 is a standard duty pickup, so you can expect older models to offer less exciting interior features compared to newer ones. We’d say around 5-6 years ago is when these trucks really started to catch up with other vehicles in terms of comfort, entertainment and driver convenience. Shop around, or let us help you find the right truck. With so many models out there, there’s no doubt you’ll find one that suits all of your needs.
Nissan Titan XD
The Nissan Titan XD is not necessarily the best truck for towing overall. However, it may surprise you with what it is capable of. The vehicle discontinued using the diesel engine in 2020, but if you can find one of those models you’ll have some fantastic towing performance available to you. Even the newer models, though, can offer some impressive things. The latest 5.6L V8 can provide up to 11,070 lbs. of towing capability.
The Titan XD also excels in interior features. As always, what you’ll find greatly depends on the model year and trim level. However, even those looking for advanced entertainment features should be able to find somethin that suits them if they keep searching. Check out the Nissan Titan XD if you’re looking for a change of pace that still offers strong towing performance.
On top of all that, the truck can offer a lot more when you customize it. From upgraded sound systems, to running board installation, to features that can even improve your ability to tow, Ultimate Rides has a whole lot to offer. Bring us your Nissan Titan XD or let us find one for you.
Custom Upgrades to Enhance Towing Capabilities
You don’t have to rely on just the factory setup for your towing needs. There are a number of upgrades that can be made to your truck to enhance that capability. These upgrades and much more can all be found here at Ultimate Rides. In a little while, we’ll tell you more about how we can help you there. For now, let’s get into some of these upgrades to discuss how they might be of help to you. You don’t have to get all of them, but even just one or two might make a big difference on your truck’s towing ability. Take a look, decide for yourself, and let Ultimate Rides know if we can help!
Suspension Upgrades and Lift Kit Installation
A custom suspension system offers so many advantages to drivers. One of those benefits is that we can set up your truck specifically for towing. Installing a solid axle in the truck’s front end is one of the things that can help. Additionally, when you install custom suspension raising up your truck, it’ll give you more room to sag when towing heavy loads without scraping the bottom of your vehicle.
While a body lift kit won’t have a very strong effect on towing, the new tires that come with it might. Get in touch with us if you want the perfect towing set up. We’ll be able to go over every step with you to help you understand the advantages.
Engine Performance Chip
Another custom upgrade we can offer at Ultimate Rides is a performance chip. These little things will unlock the true potential of your engine, and give you more control over the truck’s performance. These can get you more horsepower, increasing your towing potential. However, it is possible to go too far. That’s why you’ve got to count on professionals to get you there.
We install performance chips all the time at Ultimate Rides, and can tell you just what you’ll need to get the type of performance you want. Bring your truck to us, or let us help you find your next truck. We’ll be able to get you set up with a performance chip suited to your vehicle and your needs. While you shouldn’t expect thousands and thousands of pounds of extra capability, you can still get a boost from a performance chip upgrade.
New Hitch
One of the more straightforward upgrades you can install on your truck for towing purposes is an enhanced trailer hitch. Whether you need to change up the trailer wiring, or you simply want something stronger, we can assist you. There are also a number of different types of hitches you can go with. If you want something less obvious, there are options that stay hidden under your bumper. You may also require a special type of hitch if you plan on towing farm equipment or other heavy duty machinery. Whatever you need, though, Ultimate Rides should be able to hook you up.
Trailer Brake Upgrades
If you don’t already have one, a trailer brake control should be a must. This will ensure you get the most efficient use out of your truck’s brakes as well as the trailer brakes. Your pickup’s brake pads are going to create a lot more heat, and take a lot more wear and tear, the more weight you’re towing. It’s important to get your vehicle set up with the right upgrades. It may not be a bad idea to look into special brake pads that are meant for heavy duty towing, as this can help the health of your brakes in the long run.
Build the Best Truck for Towing Right Here at Ultimate Rides
Our custom lift center features a staff of ASE-certified technicians who are some of the best around. Just about every day, our team is in here working on one thing or another. Just take a look at our inventory and you’ll see some of what we’re capable of. If you’d like to learn more details, we encourage you to call our office. Someone from the Ultimate Rides staff will be happy to go over the services and upgrades we can offer. Our vehicles are top quality, and our customer service is up to that same caliber. If you want the best truck for towing, we’re the place to shop.
Nationwide Vehicle Delivery in A Week or Less
Ultimate Rides is located about one hour south of Chicago. However, we serve drivers all across the United States. That’s because we offer simple and affordable delivery nationwide. Just give us a call and we’ll be able to take care of the entire process right over the phone. If you want some upgrades on the truck before we send it out, we’ll make it happen. From the time your truck is ready, you can expect shipping to take one week or even less. For more information, or to begin this process, go ahead and call the Ultimate Rides office.
Closing Thoughts
Now that you’ve made it through our guide, you should have a much better idea on what you need to look for to find the best towing capability. Our team will be happy to help you find exactly that. We’re also happy to offer this information so you can take it with you going forward. If you have any questions for our team, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Our trucks are fairly-priced, with some of the best custom work possible. You won’t find anything else quite like them at any other auto dealer. Give us a call at 815-634-3900, or stop in our office at 38 W. Division St., Coal City, IL 60416.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is more important for towing: horsepower or torque?
A: While it is good to have both, torque is typically more useful when it comes to towing. That is why diesel engines are typically better to tow with. Essentially, torque is a measure of force while horsepower is a measure of (understandably) power. Breaking it down in basic terms, torque is how much force the engine is able to produce while horsepower measures how quickly it can get there.
Q: Where can I find my truck’s towing capacity?
A: Find out what model, model year, trim level and engine configuration you’re working with. This should be able in your owner’s manual. Your manual may also tell you the vehicle’s towing capacity. If not, simply use a search engine to plug in your vehicle’s specs with the term “towing capacity” and you should find all the results you need.
Two Brothers With a Dream, Building The Best Ultimate Rides
Ultimate Rides consists of two brothers who have been buying and selling custom vehicles for over ten years. Selling lifted trucks by day and writing these awesome reviews by night! They started their Ultimate Rides journey with a third brother Jake, who was a big part of building the business they have today. In 2016 Jake passed away and losing their brother was the hardest thing they ever had to deal with. Even though they had a tragic loss they plan to continue to set a new trend for the auto industry, keeping customers number one. Pushing the envelope on the lifted truck market, these guys love researching and learning about everything in the auto industry!
— Nick and Alex Bulanda, Founders of Ultimate Rides
