Only 2 Half-Ton Pickup Trucks Can Tow More Than 13,000 Pounds
Most pickup buyers looking to tow much more than 10,000 pounds opt for heavy-duty trucks (2500 or F-250 size trucks). But certain configurations of full-size, light-duty trucks (often called half-ton trucks) can tow an incredible amount of weight. In fact, two separate half-ton trucks can tow more than 13,000 pounds: the Ford F-150 and the Chevrolet Silverado 1500.
The 2021-present Ford F-150 can tow 14,000 pounds
Ford offers one of the most diverse powertrain lineups in Detroit. And some of the F-150 powertrains can tow a lot more than others. The king of Ford F-150 towing capacity is not a V8, it’s the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6. Ford advertises that an EcoBoost-equipped F-150 can make 400 horsepower and tow up to 14,000 pounds.
A 5.0-liter V8 equipped Ford may not be the most powerful F-150, but it is still one of the strongest half-ton trucks around. Ford advertises its V8-equipped F-150s as some of the most powerful, making 400 horsepower and towing up to 13,000 pounds.
The Ford PowerBoost hybrid drivetrain adds an electric motor/generator between the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 and its 10-speed transmission. The resulting drivetrain makes 430 horsepower. But it also includes heavy batteries, so itstowing capacity is just 12,700 pounds.
The 2019-present Chevrolet Silverado 1500 can tow 13,300 pounds
General Motors advertises its maximum half-ton truck towing capacity as 13,300 pounds. Two separate Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup trucks are capable of pulling 13,300 pounds.
One of the strongest Silverado’s available is the 6.2-liter V8 equipped configuration. The V8 Silverado with the highest tested tow rating is a double cab, standard bed RST with 4WD. In addition, Chevy equipped this truck with the Max Trailering Package and 20-inch rims to pull off the 13,300 pound tow rating.
The other Silverado tied for first place is equipped with a diesel. Chevrolet also tested a double cab 1500 with the Duramax 3.0-liter turbodiesel I6. This truck was also equipped with the Max Trailering Package and 20-inch rims, and it also pulled 13,300 pounds.
Even though GMC Sierra 1500 pickup trucks are mechanically identical to Chevy Silverado 1500s, GMC advertises a different maximum tow rating. This is because GMC chose to test a 4WD version of its 3.0-liter turbodiesel truck. GMC claims the highest 4WD diesel tow rating in the class, at 13,000 pounds.
The Toyota Tundra and Ram 1500 both have a respectable maximum towing capacity
Ram debuted the fifth-generation of its 1500 pickup truck for the 2019 model year. The brand is advertising a 12,750 pound maximum tow rating when equipped with its 5.7-liter HEMI V8. This is a respectable tow rating, just several hundred pounds shy of the current GMC’s best. Ram also offers auto-leveling air suspension to make towing safer and more comfortable. There’s a good chance we’ll see Ram retake the half-ton towing record with its sixth-generation redesign sometime in the future. But many Ram fans who do a lot of towing opt for the heavy-duty Ram (2500 and larger) and the legendary Cummins engine.
Toyota debuted its third-generation Tundra pickup truck for the 2022 model year. The truck has a rear coil suspension setup, similar to the latest Ram. It also has a turbocharged V6, similar to Ford’s EcoBoost. Toyota is advertising a maximum tow rating of 12,000 pounds, but has not been broadcasting with which configuration can tow the most. There is a good chance the Tundra with the highest towing capacity will end up being the i-FORCE MAX hybrid version of its V6, not yet available for purchase.
Check out how all the half-ton pickup trucks maximum tow ratings stack up in the table below:
| Make and Model | Max Towing Capacity | Configuration |
| Ford F-150 | 14,000 pounds | 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 13,300 pounds | 3.0-liter turbodiesel, double cab, 2WD, max trailering package, and 20-inch wheels |
| GMC Sierra 1500 | 13,000 pounds | 3.0-liter turbodiesel, double cab, 4WD, max trailering package, and 20-inch wheels |
| Ram 1500 | 12,750 pounds | 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with eTorque |
| Toyota Tundra | 12,000 pounds | 2WD SR5 with the tow package |
| Nissan Titan | 9,320 pounds | King Cab 4×2 |
Read about F-150 trim levels or watch the latest Ford F-150’s towing capacity tested in the video below:
