People often struggle when choosing whether to purchase a truck or an SUV. Most people naturally think of pickup trucks when the need for towing a trailer arises, but lean towards an SUV for comfort and spacious interiors.

However, there are some SUVs on the market that are capable of towing a boat or a camper on the weekends and taking a soccer team to school in style the rest of the week. Here are a few options as outlined by U.S. News and World Report.

2019 GMC Yukon

Bridging the gap between truck and SUV is a feat manufacturers have been working towards for quite some time, but the Yukon has gotten close. When considering the SUV based on trailer towing, that may have hurt the Yukon.

GMC offers the 6.2 liter V8 producing up to 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque followed by a 10-speed automatic transmission but only manages a rated towing capacity of up to 8,400 pounds. Which while respectable, it falls short of some of the other options on this list.

2019 Nissan Armada

The highly recommended 2019 Nissan Armada offers a respectable towing capacity up to 8,500 pounds. The Armada comes with a 5.6 liter V8 producing up to 390 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque and a 7-speed automatic transmission to provide towing power.

 2019 Chevrolet Tahoe

One of the most popular SUVs is the Chevy Tahoe. An available 5.3 liter V8 producing up to 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque can tow up to 8,600 pounds when combined with the upgraded trailer towing package. That should be more than enough to pull your boat or camper this summer.

2019 Lincoln Navigator

The 2019 Lincoln Navigator is available with a twin-turbocharged 3.5 liter V6 producing up to 450 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque. Coupled with a 10-speed automatic transmission, a tow/haul mode that automatically adapts engine power, and an optional trailer towing package, the Navigator is capable of towing up to 8,600 pounds. This puts it in a tie with the Tahoe; however, the Navigator is no doubt the more luxurious option.

2019 Dodge Durango

Boasting an updated interior and exterior for 2019, the Dodge Durango delivers substantial towing capacity for an SUV as well. Durango’s highest-rated towing is available when you choose the Durango SRT package with the available 6.4 liter V8.

This engine produces up to 475 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque resulting in up to 8,700 pounds of towing capacity. Dodge’s advertised 50/50 weight distribution and trailer sway control combine to help maintain trailer stability under various conditions.

2019 Ford Expedition

There are many reasons to choose the Ford Expedition. Exceptional towing capacity and a trailer back-up assist system are key features for anyone with a boat or a camper.

Ford’s 3.5 liter V6, standard in the Expedition, produces up to 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. When coupled with the optional trailer towing package the Expedition has a rated towing capacity of up to a whopping 9,300 pounds.

Best SUV for towing

If the only category in picking the best SUV for towing is rated towing capacity, the 2019 Ford Expedition is the clear winner with more than a quarter ton advantage over a very close race for second place.

Second place is a three-way tie with only one hundred pounds separating the contenders. Dodge, Lincoln, and Chevrolet made a strong showing but just could not compete with the Ford.

Third place is a two-way tie between GMC and Nissan. These two SUVs offer top towing capacities that are nearly a half-ton lighter than the Ford Expedition. 

Other factors to consider

While maximum towing capacity is an important metric to measure, it shouldn’t be the only value on which you place your SUV buying decision.

Factors such as fuel economy, drivability, seating, safety, and interior features should also rank highly when choosing a vehicle. For most of us, price also plays an important role in our buying decisions. It’s readily apparent that not all SUV makes are in the same price category with these models ranging from $47,100 to $77,555.