Reference chart

Towing Capacity Chart by Truck Model

This chart lists the highest figures recorded for each truck model in this site's database, across every model year and configuration it holds. Every number is a best case, and the three columns in a row usually come from three different trucks.
Imtinan Farooq, Editor, TowCapacityCalcWritten by Imtinan FarooqEditor, TowCapacityCalc
Updated
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Quick answer

Use this chart to shortlist trucks, not to choose one. The tow rating shown is the maximum for the best-equipped configuration of that model, often a specific cab, bed, axle ratio and tow package that few trucks on a lot have. Your own limits come from the tow rating for your exact configuration (owner's manual or the manufacturer's towing guide), the payload on your door label, and GCWR once truck and trailer are loaded.

Highest recorded figures by model

ModelYears in databaseHighest tow ratingHighest GCWRHighest payload
Ford F-3502020–202438,000 lb43,500 lb7,650 lb
Ram 35002020–202437,090 lb43,000 lb6,570 lb
Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD2020–202436,000 lb43,500 lb7,200 lb
GMC Sierra 3500HD2020–202436,000 lb43,500 lb7,200 lb
Ford F-2502011–202422,000 lb30,000 lb4,050 lb
Ram 25002020–202419,990 lb25,300 lb4,010 lb
Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD2020–202418,500 lb27,500 lb3,530 lb
GMC Sierra 2500HD2020–202418,500 lb27,500 lb3,530 lb
Ford F-1502004–202514,000 lb19,500 lb3,315 lb
Chevrolet Silverado 15002007–202413,300 lb19,100 lb2,060 lb
GMC Sierra 15002009–202413,300 lb19,100 lb2,060 lb
Nissan Titan2004–202412,830 lb19,450 lb2,000 lb
Ram 15002009–202412,750 lb18,350 lb1,880 lb
Toyota Tundra2007–202412,000 lb16,000 lb1,940 lb
Chevrolet Colorado2015–20247,700 lb13,250 lb1,684 lb
GMC Canyon2015–20247,700 lb13,250 lb1,640 lb
Jeep Gladiator2020–20247,700 lb12,450 lb1,710 lb
Ford Ranger2019–20247,500 lb12,500 lb1,430 lb
Toyota Tacoma2021–20246,800 lb11,360 lb1,705 lb
Nissan Frontier2022–20246,640 lb11,200 lb1,430 lb
Ford Maverick2022–20244,000 lb8,145 lb1,500 lb

Each column is the highest figure recorded for any year and configuration of that model in this site's database, so the three figures in a row usually belong to different trucks. Heavy-duty tow ratings may be fifth-wheel or gooseneck figures. Verify your own truck against the manufacturer's towing guide for its model year and the labels on the vehicle.

Every published rating is a best case

Manufacturers quote the highest number any version of the model achieves. Ram's 2024 Ram 1500 sheet is typical: its 12,750 lb maximum applies only to a HEMI Quad Cab 4x2 with the 3.92 axle and Max Tow package, and the same sheet rates a HEMI crew cab 4x4 with the 5'7" bed and 3.21 axle at 8,090 lb. Ram also notes that its trailer ratings already include 300 lb of passengers. Add a family, cargo and options and the usable figure falls.

Read GCWR alongside the tow rating

GCWR caps the truck and trailer together. Chevrolet's 2024 Silverado 1500 chart pairs the 6.2L crew cab short-bed 4x4's 13,100 lb rating with a 19,100 lb GCWR, so the trailer can only reach 13,100 lb if the loaded truck weighs 6,000 lb or less. A loaded crew cab often weighs more. When the two disagree, the lower answer governs.

What the ratings are tested against

Current light-duty ratings from several manufacturers reference SAE J2807, an industry procedure covering acceleration, a grade climb, braking and handling; Ram's sheet and Toyota's Tundra brochure both say so. It makes ratings comparable between brands. It does not describe your route, your altitude, your trailer's frontal area or how you load.

Turning a chart number into your number

Find your model for a shortlist. Then get the tow rating and GCWR for your exact engine, cab, bed, drivetrain and axle ratio from the manufacturer's towing guide (the VIN guide below shows how), read the payload on your own door label, subtract everyone and everything riding along plus the tongue or pin weight, and see what is left. Then add the loaded truck weight to the loaded trailer weight and compare with GCWR. The smallest margin is your real limit.

Worked example

Worked example (hypothetical load): a 13,100 lb rating in real conditions

Chevrolet's 2024 Silverado 1500 chart rates a 6.2L crew cab short-bed 4x4 with the Max Trailering Package at 13,100 lb with a 19,100 lb GCWR. Assume the truck weighs 5,400 lb empty (weigh yours; the chart does not give curb weight) and carries four people and 200 lb of gear.

Line itemWeightWhere the number comes from
GCWR19,100 lbMaximum for truck and trailer together
Empty truck−5,400 lbAssumed; a scale ticket replaces it
Four occupants−600 lbTwo adults, two teenagers
Cargo in cab and bed−200 lbModest load
Loaded truck weight6,200 lbBefore the trailer is coupled
Trailer weight available under GCWR12,900 lb19,100 − 6,200
Published tow rating13,100 lb200 lb more than GCWR allows here

With this load the published rating is not reachable: GCWR runs out 200 lb sooner, and payload has not even been checked yet. That is the ordinary outcome for a loaded crew cab, which is why the rating is a ceiling rather than a target.

Frequently asked questions

Which truck has the highest towing capacity?

In this database the heavy-duty three-quarter-ton and one-ton models lead the chart, followed by the best-equipped half-tons. The chart ranks every model by its highest recorded rating.

Why is my truck's rating lower than the chart?

The chart lists the best configuration of each model. A different engine, axle ratio, cab, bed or drivetrain, or no tow package, lowers the rating, sometimes by thousands of pounds: Ram's 2024 sheet rates a HEMI crew cab 4x4 with the 5'7" bed at 8,090 lb on the 3.21 axle and 11,190 lb on the 3.92.

Can I tow at the maximum rating shown?

Rarely. The rating assumes a lightly loaded truck. Once passengers, cargo and tongue weight are aboard, payload or GCWR usually becomes the limit first.

What is SAE J2807?

An industry test procedure for tow ratings covering acceleration, grade climbing, braking and handling, which makes published ratings comparable between manufacturers that use it.

Further reading