Your account
Your cart
Towing Vehicle Information
Passenger Car and Truck Styles
Bumper Styles
Most SUVs, pickup trucks, vans, minivans, and passenger cars can be equipped to tow a trailer. However, the selection of an appropriate tow vehicle and the proper equipment to tow a trailer depends on the type of trailer, its size and weight, and the amount of weight being towed. There are numerous types of trailers, but, in general, they fall into four categories: flat bed or open trailers, boat trailers, enclosed trailers, and recreational vehicle trailers (including travel trailers, fifth-wheel trailers, and folding camping trailers).
Check the owner’s manual and review the manufacturer’s guide to see if the vehicle you plan to buy can tow a trailer. After you have reviewed the vehicle capabilities, you also must investigate the capabilities of compatible hitch systems for the vehicle.
 |
 |
 |
|||||||||
What's the ideal tow vehicle?
Simple. The vehicle you presently own! If your current ride is capable of hauling the load, you're halfway home. This is dependent, however, on what you presently own, what you're hauling, and the terrain. Whether using your present vehicle or buying another, ALWAYS consult the owner's manual for recommended towing capacities and procedures.
If the total towed weight is fairly low, say, less than 1000 lbs, virtually any car or truck can be pressed into service provided a trailer hitch is available. A Honda Civic can easily tow a jet-ski and a trailer. From 1000 to 2500 lbs the minimum is a large sedan or a small pickup with preferably a 6-cylinder engine. Up to 5000 lbs should be handled with a half-ton pickup or van with a large 6-cylinder or a V8. Anything above 5000 lbs should require a three-quarter or full ton vehicle with a large V8 and upgraded suspension and brakes. A dually is another choice at this level. Mountainous or hilly terrain will require the need for a larger motor so if a new vehicle is required and the engine choices are on the border, consider the larger engine for the added margin.
While marginally lesser vehicles can be pressed into service, the longevity and reliability of the vehicle will suffer considerably as there is much more wear on the engine, driveline, and brakes. A considerably lesser vehicle (example - a Ford Ranger 4-cylinder towing a 7500 lb load) will result in a quick breakdown or loss of control due to an inability to guide or stop the trailer. Also, SUVs, particularly older, more top-heavy models (as opposed to today's glorified station wagon SUVs) don't make great tow vehicles as their strength is offset by their inferior weight distribution.
Please look at our Towing Safety page and call us at 1-800-966-5905 if you have any questions or need help with an order.