Best SUVs and Trucks for Towing — 2025 Buyer’s Guide
If you’re planning to buy a trailer or upgrade your tow vehicle in 2025, one question always comes up first: what’s the best SUV or truck for towing?
The answer depends on how much weight you need to pull — and what type of trailer you plan to tow.
Because Rugged Aluminum Trailers are up to 40% lighter than steel, most SUVs and half-ton trucks can handle larger trailers than you might expect.
Whether you’re hauling equipment, ATVs, or vehicles, this guide breaks down the top-rated 2025 SUVs and trucks for towing and matches each one to the ideal Rugged Aluminum Trailer.
How to Choose a Towing Vehicle
Before comparing models, it helps to understand what makes a great towing vehicle. The best SUVs and trucks share a few things in common:
- High tow rating: Check your vehicle’s official towing capacity, which should exceed your trailer’s fully loaded GVWR.
- Strong torque: Diesel and turbocharged gas engines offer better pulling power at lower RPMs.
- Proper hitch and braking setup: Integrated trailer brakes and factory tow packages improve safety.
- Balanced wheelbase and suspension: Longer wheelbases provide better stability at highway speeds.
Because aluminum trailers are lighter, you don’t have to buy a heavy-duty truck to haul serious weight — and that’s the biggest advantage for Rugged customers.
Best SUVs for Towing in 2025
These large SUVs combine passenger comfort with serious towing muscle. Each can easily handle single-axle or tandem-axle aluminum trailers in the 5×10 to 6.5×18 range.
| SUV Model | Max Tow Capacity | Ideal Rugged Aluminum Trailer Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chevy Tahoe / Suburban | Up to 8,400 lb | 6×14, 6.5×16, 6.5×18 Tandem | Strong V8 and stability for mid-size equipment loads. |
| Ford Expedition | Up to 9,300 lb | 6×12, 6.5×16, 6.5×18 Tandem | Best-in-class SUV towing, smooth braking. |
| Toyota Sequoia (Hybrid) | Up to 9,100 lb | 6×14, 6.5×16 | Excellent torque from i-Force Max hybrid. |
| Jeep Wagoneer / Grand Wagoneer | 8,800–9,750 lb | 6.5×16, 6.5×18 Tilt | Powerful inline-six engines and advanced towing tech. |
| Nissan Armada | Up to 8,500 lb | 6×12, 6×14 | Reliable, affordable full-size option. |
Even mid-size SUVs like the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, or Toyota Highlander (rated around 5,000 lb) can tow smaller Rugged aluminum trailers up to 6×12 with confidence.
Best Trucks for Towing in 2025
Trucks still dominate serious towing. Whether you drive a half-ton or heavy-duty, aluminum trailers maximize payload efficiency across the board.
| Truck Model | Max Tow Capacity | Ideal Rugged Aluminum Trailer Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford F-150 (Hybrid or EcoBoost) | Up to 13,500 lb | 6.5×16, 6.5×18, 6.5×20 Tilt | Versatile and efficient; ideal all-around tow vehicle. |
| Chevy Silverado 1500 / GMC Sierra 1500 | Up to 13,300 lb | 6.5×16, 6.5×18 Tandem | Smooth torque curve; available Duramax diesel. |
| Ram 1500 | Up to 12,750 lb | 6.5×16, 6.5×18 Tilt | Excellent ride comfort with heavy loads. |
| Toyota Tundra (Twin-Turbo Hybrid) | Up to 12,000 lb | 6.5×16, 6.5×18 | Quiet, capable, and strong off the line. |
| Ford F-250 / Super Duty Series | Up to 22,000 lb | 6.5×20 Tilt, 8×20 Deckover | Built for commercial-grade hauling and large equipment. |
Pro Tip: Even half-ton trucks like the F-150 or Silverado can easily tow Rugged’s 6.5×20 tilt trailer or 8×20 deckover thanks to aluminum’s weight advantage. You’re getting heavy-duty performance without needing a heavy-duty truck.
Why Aluminum Trailers Give You an Edge
Choosing an aluminum trailer doesn’t just make towing easier — it expands what vehicles qualify for your setup. Here’s why:
- Less weight, more payload: A 7,000 lb GVWR aluminum trailer weighing 1,200 lb gives you 5,800 lb of usable payload.
- Better fuel efficiency: Lighter loads burn less fuel — especially over long hauls.
- Longer vehicle life: Less strain on your drivetrain means fewer maintenance costs over time.
- Corrosion resistance: Marine-grade aluminum frames don’t rust, so your investment lasts longer.
This is why so many Tahoe, Expedition, and F-150 owners are choosing Rugged Aluminum Trailers — they get more capability without trading up to a bigger truck.
Matching Trailer Sizes to Your Vehicle
Here’s a quick guide for pairing your SUV or truck with Rugged’s most popular trailer sizes:
| Vehicle Type | Recommended Trailer Sizes | Examples from Rugged Lineup |
|---|---|---|
| Compact / Mid SUV (3,500–5,000 lb) | 5×8, 5×10, 6×10, 6×12 | 5×8 Utility, 6×10 Single Axle |
| Large SUV (5,000–9,000 lb) | 6×12, 6×14, 6.5×14, 6.5×16 | 6.5×14 Tandem, 6.5×16 Tandem |
| Half-Ton Pickup (7,000–10,000 lb) | 6.5×14, 6.5×16, 6.5×18, 6.5×20 Tilt | 6.5×18 Tandem, 6.5×20 Tilt |
| Three-Quarter-Ton Pickup (10,000+ lb) | 6.5×18, 6.5×20 Tilt, 8×20 Deckover | 8×20 Deckover |
The Bottom Line
The best towing vehicle for you depends on what you’re hauling — but aluminum makes it easier for almost any SUV or truck to handle serious loads.
If you want to get the most capability from your tow vehicle, Rugged Aluminum Trailers deliver more payload, smoother towing, and better long-term performance.
Use our Rugged Build & Price Tool to customize a trailer for your SUV or truck and get instant pricing and delivery options anywhere in the country.