Best Vehicles For Towing Boats: Powerful And Reliable Options

If you're looking to tow a boat, you'll need a vehicle with enough capacity to pull it. The best options are usually trucks or SUVs, though some larger cars might be able to tow smaller boats. When it comes to trucks, the Toyota Tundra, Ford F-Series, Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, and Nissan Titan are all popular choices. These trucks have the power and torque to handle large boats, and their bed designs make loading gear quick and easy. If you prefer an SUV, options like the Toyota Sequoia, Ford Expedition, GMC Yukon, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Suburban offer impressive towing capabilities and ample interior space for passengers and cargo.

Best trucks for towing a boat

When it comes to choosing a vehicle to tow your boat, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, you need to determine the weight of your boat, as this will impact the towing capacity required. Different boats have different weights, from small fishing boats to large pontoons or cruising boats. Knowing the weight of your boat will help you select a vehicle with sufficient towing capacity.

If you're looking for a truck specifically, there are several options available in the market that are well-suited for towing boats. Here are some recommendations and features to consider:

• Ford F-Series Heavy-Duty Pickups: Ford has a range of Super Duty trucks, including the F-250, F-350, and F-450 series, with capability increasing as you move up the series. The F-450, for example, has a towing capacity of up to 32,500 pounds. Ford also offers various towing systems and technology features, such as trailer camera systems, blind-spot monitoring, and pro-hitch and trailer backup assist systems.
• Chevrolet Silverado HD-Series Pickups: Chevy offers two heavy-duty series pickups, the Silverado 2500 HD and Silverado 3500 HD, with maximum conventional towing capacities of up to 14,500 pounds and 20,000 pounds, respectively. The Silverado 1500, their half-ton pickup, has a maximum towing capacity of 13,300 pounds.
• GMC Sierra HD-Series Pickups: As the sister company of Chevy, GMC's Sierra HD lineup matches the Silverado in terms of towing capacities and engine options. The GMC Sierra 1500 has a maximum towing capacity of 13,200 pounds.
• Ram HD-Series Pickups: Ram offers both the 2500 and 3500 series heavy-duty pickups. The Ram 2500, equipped with the HEMI 6.4L V-8 engine, can tow up to 17,540 pounds. The Ram 3500, with the high-output turbodiesel engine, can tow up to 37,090 pounds. Their half-ton pickup, the Ram 1500, has a maximum towing capacity of 12,750 pounds.
• Toyota Tundra: The Toyota Tundra is a popular choice for towing, with a maximum towing capacity of up to 12,000 pounds. It is known for its durability and performance.
• Nissan Titan XD: The Nissan Titan XD is a unique offering that splits the difference between half-ton and 3/4-ton pickups. It has a towing capacity of up to 12,000 pounds and is powered by a Cummins turbodiesel 5.0-liter V8 engine.

When choosing a truck for towing a boat, it is essential to consider factors such as engine power, torque, suspension, radiator size, and additional features like towing mode and trailer hitch compatibility. It is also important to ensure that your vehicle has sufficient payload capacity to accommodate the weight of the trailer and any passengers or cargo.

Best SUVs for towing a boat

When choosing an SUV for towing a boat, it is important to consider how you will use the vehicle, the price, and the weight of your boat. SUVs generally have a lower towing capacity than trucks, but many can tow 5,000 pounds or more, which is enough for smaller and mid-size boats. Here are some of the best SUVs for towing a boat:

Full-size SUVs

• Cadillac Escalade ESV (2015 to present): This luxury SUV can tow up to 8,100 pounds in two-wheel-drive form and is known for its comfortable ride.
• Chevrolet Suburban (2015 to present): With a towing capacity of up to 8,300 pounds, the Suburban offers ample space for passengers and cargo.
• GMC Yukon XL (2015 to present): The Yukon XL is a luxurious and capable SUV, with a towing capacity of up to 8,300 pounds.
• Ford Expedition (2024 model): The Expedition has an impressive towing capacity of up to 9,300 pounds and offers a spacious interior and refined road manners.
• Lincoln Navigator (2025 model): With a towing capacity of up to 8,700 pounds, the Navigator offers a first-class interior, a user-friendly infotainment system, and plush seating.
• Toyota Sequoia (2025 model): The Sequoia is a capable SUV with a maximum towing capacity of 9,520 pounds. It offers seven seats and a luxurious interior.

Midsize SUVs

• Toyota 4Runner (2010 to present): The 4Runner is a full-frame midsize SUV with a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. It offers off-road capability and Toyota's well-known quality.
• Dodge Durango (2011 to present): With a V8 engine, the Durango can tow up to 7,400 pounds. It offers a comfortable ride and excellent off-road ability.
• Jeep Grand Cherokee (2011 to present): The Grand Cherokee is structurally similar to the Durango and offers a comfortable ride and excellent off-road ability. It can tow up to 7,400 pounds with a two-wheel drive.
• Nissan Pathfinder (2025 model): The Pathfinder has a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds, which is 1,000 pounds more than a typical mid-sized crossover. It offers 16.6 cubic feet of cargo storage behind its third row of seats.
• Jeep Grand Cherokee L (2025 model): The extended Grand Cherokee L has a maximum towing capacity of 7,200 pounds with the available 5.7L V8 engine. The base V6 model can tow up to 6,200 pounds.
• Mercedes-Benz G-Class (2024 model): The iconic G-Wagen can tow up to 7,000 pounds and offers excellent off-road capability. However, it is expensive and not very practical.
• Tesla Model X (2024 model): The Tesla Model X can tow up to 5,000 pounds and offers excellent driving dynamics and impressive acceleration. It is also efficient, with a maximum range of 348 miles.
• Porsche Cayenne (2024 model): The Cayenne is an excellent all-rounder with a towing capacity of up to 7,700 pounds. However, its interior space is not as impressive as some other SUVs.
• Audi Q7/SQ7 (2025 model): The Q7 can tow up to 7,700 pounds when equipped with the 3.0L V6 engine. The SQ7 offers more power with a 4.0L eight-cylinder engine, but the towing capacity remains the same.
• Subaru Ascent (2024 model): The Ascent has a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and offers genuine off-road ability and great everyday usability.
• Hyundai Palisade (2024 model): The Palisade is a spacious and safe SUV with a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. It offers excellent value and is ranked as the top three-row midsize SUV.

How to determine the weight of your boat

Knowing the weight of your boat is crucial for determining the right vehicle to tow it. Here are some steps to help you determine the weight of your boat:

Step 1: Check the Manufacturer's Specifications

The weight of a boat can vary significantly depending on its size, materials, and purpose. The manufacturer's specifications will typically provide the dry weight, which is the weight of the vessel without an engine, fuel, equipment, passengers, or trailer. This information can be found in the owner's manual or by contacting the manufacturer directly.

Step 2: Calculate the Wet Weight

The wet weight includes the weight of the boat with an engine and fuel. This can be calculated by considering the weight of the engine and the number of gallons of fuel the boat can carry. Remember that each gallon of fuel weighs approximately 6 pounds (2.7 kg). Therefore, a boat with a 60-gallon capacity will add about 360 pounds (163 kg) to the dry weight.

Step 3: Consider Additional Equipment and Gear

The weight of your boat will also depend on the type and amount of equipment and gear you plan to carry on board. This can include items such as life vests, coolers, stereo systems, and accessories like ballast tanks or heaters. Make a list of the gear you typically carry or plan to bring on board, and calculate their total weight.

Step 4: Account for Passenger Weight

If you plan to have passengers on board, their weight will also contribute to the overall weight of the boat. Consider the average weight of the expected number of passengers and add this to your calculations.

Step 5: Don't Forget the Trailer

The weight of the trailer is a significant factor in determining the total weight your vehicle will need to tow. Trailers can weigh anywhere from 1,000 to 1,600 pounds (455-725 kg). Make sure to include this in your calculations.

Step 6: Calculate the Total Weight

Finally, add up all the weights you have calculated: the dry weight of the boat, the weight of the engine and fuel, the weight of equipment and gear, the weight of passengers, and the weight of the trailer. This will give you an estimate of the total weight of your boat, which you can then use to determine the right vehicle for towing.

How to find your vehicle's tow rating

To find your vehicle's tow rating, you must first determine the weight of your boat. This is because manufacturers rate vehicles for specific towing capacities, so you can quickly rule out those that don't qualify. When calculating the weight of your boat, remember that manufacturers base their ratings on empty vessels. Once you have the weight of your boat, you can start looking at different vehicles and towing packages.

Your vehicle's tow rating, or towing capacity, is the maximum weight it can safely pull. This rating can usually be found in the owner's manual and on a data plate, typically inside the driver-side door, in the glove compartment, or another easily accessible area. It takes into account several factors, including chassis and suspension design, engine type, axle ratios, hitch design, and tire ratings.

It's important to note that the tow rating assumes that the vehicle is only carrying a driver. So, if you plan to have passengers or additional cargo, you will need to factor that into your calculations.

To calculate your vehicle's towing capacity, you can use the following formula:

Towing Capacity = Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) - Curb Weight

Here, the GCWR refers to the total weight of the vehicle and the trailer, along with all the cargo each will carry, while the curb weight refers to the weight of the vehicle itself when filled with gas and other fluids.

It is recommended to stay below 10% of the maximum towing capacity to account for miscalculations and shifting loads. Exceeding the towing capacity can not only damage your vehicle but also put you and your passengers at risk.

In addition to the tow rating, there are other weight limits that should not be exceeded while towing, such as the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR), Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR), and hitch weight rating.

By considering these factors and doing the necessary calculations, you can determine your vehicle's tow rating and make an informed decision about its capability to tow a boat safely.

Two-wheel, four-wheel, and all-wheel drive options for towing

When deciding between two-wheel, four-wheel, and all-wheel drive options for towing a boat, it's important to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each system. Here's an overview:

Two-Wheel Drive

Two-wheel drive vehicles, including both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and front-wheel drive (FWD) systems, offer the most towing power among the three options. This is because they don't have to expend extra energy to spin another axle, leaving more energy for forward movement. Additionally, front-wheel-drive systems have a mechanical advantage due to the weight of the engine being over the front wheels, providing better traction, and the pulling motion offering a better mechanical advantage than pushing.

However, two-wheel-drive vehicles may not be as safe for launching your boat, especially if they are front-wheel drive. On steep ramps, the weight of the trailer pushing down on the back of the vehicle can reduce the traction of the front wheels, resulting in less power and torque. So, if your routine includes frequent use of steep and slippery ramps, a two-wheel-drive vehicle might not be the best option.

Four-Wheel Drive

Four-wheel drive systems provide superior traction and low-end torque compared to two-wheel drive. They are ideal if you plan on launching your boat on steep and potentially slippery ramps frequently. Four-wheel-drive vehicles have a separate low-range gear system, giving you more torque and a better gear ratio, resulting in more power and control for minor adjustments.

However, four-wheel-drive systems often add significant weight to your vehicle, reduce fuel efficiency, and require extra maintenance. They are also generally more expensive.

All-Wheel Drive

All-wheel-drive vehicles excel in providing excellent traction, as each wheel can spin independently and is controlled by a sophisticated computer system. This system optimises traction and performance in slippery conditions by adjusting power to the wheels that need it. While all-wheel drive is commonly perceived as suitable for all-weather driving, it may not perform as well at slow speeds compared to four-wheel drive due to the lack of an extra range of low gears.

When deciding between two-wheel, four-wheel, and all-wheel drive for towing a boat, consider your specific needs and the conditions you'll be driving in. Two-wheel drive offers the most towing power, four-wheel drive provides superior traction and torque for steep ramps, and all-wheel drive delivers excellent traction in slippery conditions. For most recreational towing needs, all-wheel drive is a good choice, while for heavy-duty towing, a full-size pickup or SUV with a four-wheel-drive option is usually necessary.

Frequently asked questions