Towing for Family Adventure: Campers, Boats and Jet Skis, Oh My!
Which are the best trucks and SUVs for towing? We list the best – with seating for everyone, off-road capacity and style on the road while you tow all the toys.
Summer means towing all the things!
It’s summer, which means we need towing for family adventures. Find a campground or lake near home, and a weekend adventure is close by!
We’ve rounded up all of the best hauling and towing vehicles for your summer adventures that will still carry your family in comfort.
If you want to bring a dirt bike or jet skis, you don’t need a heavy-duty truck. These first few options are all ready for your weekend adventure. They have light towing capability but are still family-friendly daily drivers.
But first, what do towing capacity and payload even mean? Well, your total towing weight capacity is impacted by how much weight you have in the car too, that’s your gross vehicle weight or GVW. Payload means the total weight in the truck bed or inside the cabin.
No Need for Super Sized Trucks. Your Daily Driver Can Tow Too
You don’t need a huge truck to tow that RV or trailer. There are plenty of family-friendly lightweight haulers that also function as easy daily drivers. Plus, they fit inside the garage. Here are some of our favorites.
Related: Towing 101 — What You Need to Know to Tow With Confidence
Hyundai Palisade
Starting Price: $34,950
Maximum towing capacity: 5,000 lbs
Maximum payload: 1,356 – 1570
Fuel Economy: 20-21 MPG
Seating Capacity: 7 or 8
Related: 2023 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy: This Upscale, Affordable 3-Row SUV Has Me Smitten
Jeep Gladiator
Starting Price: $38,990
Maximum towing capacity: 4,000 – 7,650 lbs depending on the model
Maximum payload: 1,700 lbs
Fuel Economy: 19 MPG
Seating Capacity: 5
Related: Jeep Gladiator: Yes, this is the 2020 Jeep Truck
Ford Ranger
Starting Price: $32,565
Maximum towing capacity: 5,510 – 7,500 lbs
Maximum payload: 1,860 lbs
Fuel Economy: 23.5 MPG
Seating Capacity: 4
Related: 2024 Ford Ranger Mid-Size Pickup Truck: More Powerful, Off-Road Capable, and it Multitasks as Much as You Do
The Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat with racing stripes really shows off this car’s performance DNA. Photo: Scotty Reiss
Dodge Durango SRT
Starting Price: $73,195
Maximum towing capacity: 6,200 – 8,700 lbs
Maximum payload: 1,390-1,700
Fuel Economy: 16 MPG
Seating Capacity: 7
Related: 2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat: A Hellcat for All Seasons
Land Rover Discovery (SUV)
Starting Price: $56,600
Maximum towing capacity: 5,952 – 8,201 lbs
Maximum payload: 1,915 – 2,010
Fuel Economy: 23 MPG
Seating Capacity: 7
Related: 2020 Land Rover Discovery Sport SE
GMC Yukon XL
Starting Price: $57,400
Maximum towing capacity: 7,300 – 8,500 lbs depending on the model
Maximum payload: 1,659-1,857
Fuel Economy: 18.5 MPG
Seating Capacity: up to 9 (typically 7 depending on seat configuration)
Related: Used: Why I Chose to Buy the 2017 GMC Yukon XL Denali
Ford Expedition
Starting Price: $56,075
Maximum towing capacity: 6,000 – 9,200 lbs
Maximum payload: 1,757 – 1,827
Fuel Economy: 19 MPG
Seating Capacity: 7 or 8
Related: Limited Edition 2021 Expedition Max 4×4
Toyota Tundra
Starting Price: $36,965
Maximum towing capacity: 8,300 – 12,000 lbs
Maximum payload: 1,940 lbs
Fuel Economy: 20 MPG
Seating Capacity: 5
Related: Why the Luxurious Tundra Capstone Crewmax Should Be Your Next Truck
RAM 1500
Starting Price: $36,930
Maximum towing capacity: 12,750 lbs
Maximum payload: 2,335 lbs
Fuel Economy: 27 MPG
Seating Capacity: 5
Related: Why Your Best Road Trip Car Might be a RAM 1500
Chevrolet Silverado (Diesel)
Starting Price: $36,300
Maximum towing capacity: 13,300 lbs (10,000 for the new electric model)
Maximum payload: 2,130 lbs (electric model: 1,300 lbs)
Fuel Economy: 28 MPG
Seating Capacity: 5
Related: How to take home a Christmas tree the easy way: In the bed of a Silverado
Toyota Tacoma
Starting Price: $28,580
Maximum towing capacity: 6,800 lbs
Maximum payload: 1,685 lbs
Fuel Economy: 20 MPG
Seating Capacity: 5
Related: 2024 Toyota Tacoma First Look
So, what will you be towing, and where are you going this summer?
Categorized:Car Culture
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