WHAT TYPE OF PICKUP DO I NEED FOR TOWING?

In the past, manufacturers listed their trucks by payload capacity (how much weight a truck can carry). Ford, Chevrolet and GMC all sold half-ton, three-quarter ton and one-ton trucks. Nowadays, however, truck drivers are more concerned about towing capacity, and trucks are designated as mid-sized, full-sized or heavy-duty depending on how much weight they can haul.

Are you wondering which type of truck is right for your own towing needs? Here’s a brief rundown of the towing capacities of the different pickup types.

Mid-sized pickups

Sometimes called compact pickups, the trucks in this class are much larger and more powerful than the compact pickups of past generations. Mid-sized pickups can tow between 3,000 and 7,000 pounds and include models such as the Ford Ranger, Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Honda Ridgeline and Toyota Tacoma.

Full-sized pickups

These trucks are larger and more rugged than mid-sized pickups and are raised higher off the ground. They can tow between 5,000 and 10,000 pounds. They’re typically designated as 1500-series trucks (or 150-series, in the case of Ford). The big sellers in the full-sized pickup class are the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, Ram 1500 and Toyota Tundra.

Heavy-duty pickups

These trucks are designed to haul the heaviest loads, including fifth-wheel trailers. They can tow as much as 31,000 pounds. Heavy-duty trucks include 2500- and 3500-series trucks (250-, 350- and 450- in the case of Ford). Popular heavy-duty models include the Ford F-450 Super Duty, Ram 3500 and the Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD.

What size is best?

It’s important that you choose the truck that best corresponds to your towing needs. You need your pickup to have enough oomph to handle anything you want to haul. However, you don’t want a larger, more heavy-duty truck than you actually need, as this will cost you more to purchase and fill up. Plus, larger trucks are more challenging to handle and park.

Start by determining the exact weight of the cargo you’ll be hauling, then find the truck size and model that best meets your towing needs. Note that truck manufacturers like Ford, Chevrolet and Ram have spec sheets and towing guides on their websites.

Trailer hitches and truck accessories in the GTA

Once you’ve settled on the right truck for your towing needs, you’ll want to get a quality trailer hitch. At Hitch City, we provide a large variety of trailer hitches and truck accessories tailored to your preferences.

Contact us today for more information about our products, or visit one of our three locations in the Greater Toronto Area.