Best Vehicles For Pulling Boats: Powerful Towing Capacity

When it comes to pulling a boat, you'll need a vehicle with enough capacity to pull it, and different boats have different weights. While some larger cars might have enough towing capacity for a small fishing boat, a large truck or full-size SUV is better for hauling a large pontoon or cruising boat. SUVs generally have a lower towing capacity than trucks, but many can tow 5,000 pounds or more, which is enough for many smaller and mid-size boats. Full-size SUVs can usually tow from 5,000 to 7,000 pounds, while the biggest SUVs can often handle 8,000 to 9,000-pound loads. Pickup trucks offer even greater towing capacity, ranging from 10,000 pounds at the lower end to over 30,000 pounds for some models.

Best trucks for pulling a boat

When it comes to choosing a truck to pull your boat, there are several factors to consider, such as the size of your boat, the engine power you'll need, and your budget. Here are some of the best trucks for the job, based on their performance, features, and popularity among boaters:

Ford F-150

The Ford F-150 is a versatile and well-rounded truck that is suitable for various purposes, including towing boats. It offers a spacious cabin and helpful features like the Pro Trailer Backup Assist, which makes reversing with a trailer a breeze. The F-150 has a range of powerful engine options, but the 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 engine is the most capable for towing, with a capacity of up to 12,200 pounds.

Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Canyon

The Chevrolet Silverado and its cousin, the GMC Canyon, are reliable and powerful trucks often recommended for towing boats. They offer a range of engine options, including a 4.3-litre V6, a 5.3-litre V8, and a 6.0-litre V8, with towing capacities ranging from 5,600 to 12,000 pounds. These trucks also come with helpful trailering packages that include a hitch, receiver, wiring, and an integrated trailer brake controller.

Ram 1500

The Ram 1500 is an excellent choice for those seeking a comfortable and refined truck. While it may not have the highest towing capacity in its class, the EcoDiesel model stands out with its impressive fuel efficiency and 9,300-pound towing capacity. The Ram 1500 also offers helpful towing features like Active-Level four-corner air suspension, trailer sway control, and an integrated trailer hitch.

Toyota Tacoma

The Toyota Tacoma is a popular choice for boat owners, known for its reliability and retention of value. It offers two engine options: a 2.7-litre 4-cylinder engine with 159 horsepower and a 3.5-litre V6 with 278 horsepower. The V6 model with the tow package can pull up to 6,800 pounds, making it a capable option for towing smaller boats. The Tacoma also features a composite bed that won't rust and a power port in the bed for accessories.

Nissan Titan XD

The Nissan Titan XD is a unique offering in the market, bridging the gap between light-duty and heavy-duty pickup trucks. It's an excellent choice if you're looking for a comfortable ride without compromising towing capacity. The Titan XD offers two engine options: a gasoline-powered 5.6-litre V8 and a Cummins turbodiesel V8. The diesel model is particularly impressive, with a towing capacity of 12,314 pounds.

Ford F-250/F-350/F-450 Super Duty

If you own a large boat, the Ford Super Duty line of pickups, including the F-250, F-350, and F-450, are excellent choices. Even the lowest-rated model in this series has a towing capacity of 12,100 pounds, while the F-450 can handle up to 32,500 pounds. These trucks offer various engine options, but the 6.7-litre Power Stroke turbodiesel V8 is a standout, delivering 440 horsepower and an impressive 925 lb.-ft of torque.

Best SUVs for pulling a boat

When choosing an SUV to pull a boat, it's important to consider the weight of your boat and trailer, as well as the SUV's towing capacity. Full-size SUVs typically have a towing capacity of 5,000 to 7,000 pounds, while the largest SUVs can often handle 8,000 to 9,000 pounds. Here are some of the best SUVs for pulling a boat:

Ford Expedition

The Ford Expedition is a large SUV with a 9,300-pound towing capacity, which is impressive and more than enough for most boats. It offers three-row seating for the family and a smooth ride with great handling. It comes with a range of standard features, including an 8-inch touchscreen, smartphone connectivity, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and advanced safety features.

Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a midsize SUV with serious towing capabilities of up to 7,400 pounds. It offers a comfortable ride, excellent off-road capability, and a powerful engine. The Grand Cherokee also comes with modern features like smartphone app support, rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Chevrolet Suburban

The Chevrolet Suburban is a full-size SUV with a spacious interior and a high towing capacity of up to 8,700 pounds. It offers family-friendly active safety technologies, a user-friendly 10.2-inch touchscreen, a Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Suburban delivers a relaxed ride and smooth handling but may be difficult to manoeuvre in tight spaces.

Dodge Durango

The Dodge Durango is a midsize SUV with a powerful engine and a high towing capacity of up to 7,400 pounds with rear-wheel drive and 7,200 pounds with all-wheel drive. The Durango offers a comfortable interior, smooth ride, and seating for up to seven people. It comes equipped with an 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay.

Nissan Pathfinder

The Nissan Pathfinder is a midsize SUV with a strong towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. It offers a range of safety features, including rear door alert, rear parking sensors, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Pathfinder also has a responsive 8-inch infotainment touchscreen and available wireless phone charging and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Toyota 4Runner

The Toyota 4Runner is a full-frame midsize SUV with a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds. It has a 4.0-liter V6 engine and is known for its quality and off-road capability. The 4Runner is a great option for those who want a reliable SUV that can handle both boat towing and off-road adventures.

Best sedans for pulling a boat

Sedans are not usually the first choice when it comes to pulling a boat, as their maximum tow capacity is around 1,000 pounds. However, some sedans can tow 2,000 pounds, and a select few can tow even more. Here are some of the best sedans for pulling a boat:

Volvo S80/S90

The Volvo S80 is capable of hauling almost two tons, with a towing capacity of 3,900 pounds, which is more than some versions of the Toyota Tacoma pickup. The S80 is also fuel-efficient, with an EPA-estimated 29 mpg combined. If you're looking for something newer, Volvo's replacement for the S80, the S90, also has a towing capacity of 3,900 pounds.

Volvo S60

The Volvo S60 is another excellent option for pulling a boat, with a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. This capacity beats most small SUVs and is available on all variations of the car, regardless of body style or drivetrain. The S60 is a comfortable and efficient SUV substitute, offering an EPA gas mileage rating of up to 30 mpg combined.

Ford Fusion

The Ford Fusion, with its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, can tow loads of up to 2,000 pounds, which is outstanding for a sedan. This capacity is double that of most sedans, including Ford's larger Taurus. The Fusion also offers available all-wheel drive and is an excellent choice for those who prioritise acceleration and handling.

Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Corolla is a safe, comfortable, and reasonably powerful family car. While it is not meant for towing large boats, it can handle smaller trailers, with a towing capacity of around 1,500 pounds. Just be sure to keep the weight of your trailer down to avoid any issues.

Porsche Panamera

If you're looking for a sedan that can tow a larger boat, the Porsche Panamera is an option to consider. This four-door sedan can haul nearly 5,000 pounds and offers a sporty look and performance.

What to consider when choosing a vehicle to pull your boat

When choosing a vehicle to pull your boat, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, determine the weight of your boat, as this will impact the towing capacity required of your vehicle. Pontoon boats weigh around 2,200 pounds, while sailboats (18' - 22') weigh about 2,200 pounds, and deck boats with fuel can weigh approximately 4,000 pounds. Cabin cruisers (smaller 25') often weigh 5,500 pounds without fuel and batteries.

Once you know the weight of your boat, consider the towing capacity of different vehicles. Sedans typically have a maximum towing capacity of 1,000 pounds, while small to midsize SUVs can usually tow around 3,500 pounds. Full-sized SUVs can handle 5,000 to 7,000 pounds, and the largest SUVs can often haul 8,000 to 9,000 pounds. Pickup trucks offer even greater towing capacity, ranging from 10,000 pounds at the lower end to over 30,000 pounds for some models.

When selecting a vehicle, also think about your passenger and cargo needs. SUVs offer more interior room for passengers and cargo, while trucks have greater towing capacity and beds for hauling oversized loads but less passenger space. Additionally, consider the features that make a vehicle suitable for towing, such as a large radiator, stiff suspension, high torque, and a receiver hitch and wiring harness.

Some recommended vehicles for towing boats include the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, Toyota Tundra, and Ram 1500 for trucks, and the Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Suburban for SUVs. These vehicles offer a balance of towing capacity, features, and passenger and cargo space to suit your needs.

How to determine the right vehicle to pull your boat

When it comes to choosing the right vehicle to pull your boat, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, it is essential 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. Manufacturers rate vehicles for specific towing capacities, so knowing the weight of your boat will help you select a suitable vehicle.

The next step is to find a vehicle with a high enough tow rating. Car manufacturers set towing ratings assuming only the driver is in the car, but in reality, you will likely have passengers and cargo, so it is crucial to factor in this additional weight. Calculate the combined weight of your boat, trailer, and potential cargo to determine the "Gross Combined Weight" (GCW). Compare this to the vehicle's "Gross Combined Weight Rating" (GCWR), which is the maximum weight it can handle. It is recommended to leave yourself extra towing capacity for safety and performance, especially if you plan on long trips or encountering steep hills.

When choosing a vehicle for towing your boat, you may want to consider a truck or an SUV. Trucks typically have greater towing capacity and beds for hauling oversized loads, but they offer less interior space for passengers and cargo. On the other hand, SUVs have more interior room but lower towing capacity. If you opt for an SUV, look for one with features that make towing easier and safer, such as back-up assist, trailer sway control, and blind-spot warning systems. Some recommended SUVs for towing boats include the Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, Chevrolet Tahoe, and GMC Yukon.

If you prefer a truck, there are several options with impressive towing capacities, including the Toyota Tundra, Chevrolet Silverado, Ram 1500, and Nissan Titan. Trucks also provide the advantage of a truck bed, making it easier to load gear for the day.

In addition to towing capacity and vehicle type, consider other features that make a vehicle well-suited for towing. Look for vehicles with a large radiator, stiff suspension, high torque, and a receiver hitch and wiring harness compatible with your trailer. A transmission gauge and towing mode can also be helpful for safer towing.

Remember to check state laws and regulations for any specific ratings or equipment requirements, as these may vary depending on the location where you plan to use your boat.

Frequently asked questions