Spring and Summer see more trailers and campers on the road. Usually, it’s the pickup trucks that haul them around, but more people are turning to the SUVs to get towing capacity while still getting the benefits SUVs offer. 

The SUVs, nowadays, can tow quite a bit of weight without sacrificing too much fuel efficiency. Sometimes, as much as some trucks. However, getting one of these SUVs will not be cheap. Car Fax lists some of the best choices out there to handle towing your items along with their hefty price tags.

How muchweight can you haul with an SUV?

Smaller, compact SUVs aren’t meant for heavyweight towing jobs. However, for smaller hauling they can handle more than you think they could in some cases.

If you have a powerful engine paired with a decent transmission, you can get anywhere from 1,000 to 3,000 lbs towing capacity. For midsize SUVs you can generally handle a range of 3,000 to 7,000 lbs. 

Full-size SUVs have a longer wheelbase and generally come with beefier engines that help them handle the toughest towing jobs. The list on CarFax shows that some of them can handle over 9,300 lbs, which ranks them up there with some of the big trucks on the market. 

Top 3 SUVs from the list for towing and their purchase prices

The Ford Expedition rates number one for the best SUV for your hauling needs. With its 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, coupled with a 10-speed automatic transmission, it performs as well as a V8 does. This allows it to handle 9,300 lbs for towing heavy items. 

To tow that much, choose the XLT trim level with rear-wheel drive. The price comes in at $54,380 MSRP. 

In the number two slot, the Dodge Durango is one of the best mid-size SUVs on the list for towing. It’s rated for 8,700 lbs, which you can achieve with the 6.4-liter V8 engine paired with the 8-speed transmission. The cost to purchase one of these will be approximately $64,190.

The third top SUV on CarFax’s list is the Lincoln Navigator. It has the same wheelbase and engine that the expedition does. In fact, it’s built as the luxury version of it.

It can handle 8,700 lbs since it isn’t made as beefy as the Expedition, but it can still stand on its own with what it offers. This is the most expensive of the three. It starts at $83,625.

Alternative SUVs that are less expensive

While these SUV options are great, they are on the pricier side. The list contains vehicles that range from $45,000-$84,000, which is great, but not everyone can afford SUVs in that price range. If you’re looking to haul items with an SUV but need something cheaper, there are a few that could suffice. 

The Chevy Equinox can handle 3,500 lbs towing with both the 1.5 and 2.0-liter turbocharged engines, according to Car from Japan. The MSRP for the Equinox starts at $23,800 for the 2019 version. The 2019 Ford Escape also comes in at around the same price. It can also handle 3,500 lbs like the Equinox. 

The Kia Sorento LX trim can handle 3,500 lbs, but if you choose all-wheel drive, you could pull about 1,500 lbs more. The price for the Kia starts at $33,000. Even the Ford Edge can tow 3,000 lbs, but if you choose a towing package, you can get a little more out of the deal for only a price of $37,000.

The more expensive SUVs will allow for more towing weight, but if you only need 2,000-5,000 lbs for hauling, there are a few alternatives that won’t cost you a ton.