Have a ski boat or small cruiser? Check. Got the fifth-wheel trailer? Check. Now it’s time to find a suitable tow vehicle for your toys, and the 2024 lineup of pickup trucks offers some wonderful choices.
The first thing to consider is the weight you plan to pull. Trucks fall into four categories: small, midsize, large and heavy-duty. For this overview, we’re excluding the small category (not enough towing ability) and the heavy-duty (designed for contractors). The midsize and large trucks are enough to pull most of your toys, and the 2024 offerings have all the luxury features you could want. Yes, you can pull up to a five-star restaurant or a Straz Center opera and the valet won’t curl his lip.
Here are a few to consider:
Midsize
Jeep Gladiator
With more than a passing homage to the military Hummer, this slab-sided Jeep is not only powerful enough (285 hp) to pull 7,700 pounds of tow, but it’s also ready for off-roading. It’s the only open-air pickup in its size range, with four different top options, easily removable doors and a fold-down windshield if you want wind (and bugs) in your hair. Luxury features aren’t overlooked, with 12-way power seats and touchscreen controls..
Chevy Colorado
Also in the midsize category, the Colorado can tow up to 7,700 pounds and comes in five trim levels, up to the very posh. Picked as the Motor Trend Truck of the Year, it comes with a turbo 2.7-liter 4 cylinder with strong, low-end torque (think steep launch ramps). The blind spot warning and an available 360-degree camera are cool, and you can carry up to 1,685 pounds in the five-foot bed.
Large Trucks
Toyota Tundra
With a 12,000-pound towing capacity (think a fifth-wheel trailer) and nearly one ton of payload in the bed, the Tundra also has Multi-Terrain Select for off-roading and a locking rear differential for non-slip towing. Even the base SR model comes with styled 18-inch wheels and a multimedia touchscreen. Kelley Blue Book also awarded it the Best Resale Value in its class, should you ever decide to part ways with it.
Dodge Ram
The Dodge Ram 1500 is quite civilized for a truck, comfortable towing a big center console (up to 12,750 pounds) or loading up at Home Depot. With up to 504 hp and 521 pound-feet of torque, the 5.7L V-8 still gets 22 mpg. Tailor your Ram from a list of options with several engines and interior packages for everything from around town to the work site.
Ford F-150
The best-selling truck in America for 46 years, the F-150 also has a high tow rating (13,500 pounds) with its 430 hp V-6 engine and 570 foot-pounds of torque. Multiple engine choices include the F-150 Raptor, dominating the off-road world with 37-inch tall wheels and a terrain management system for easy ride control. The Smart Hitch system allows for easy hook-up and confident towing. Plus, the swing-out tailgate provides easy access to the bed even when hooked to a trailer.
Boat? Trailer? Tow Truck? Check. Go forth on adventures!
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