Vehicles That Can Tow 10 000 Lbs – Which Are The Best Ones?

Are you on the market for a new or used vehicle and you are specifically interested in vehicles that can tow 10 000 lbs? Well, if this is the case, then you are at the right place because there will be quite a lot to cover on this topic and we are going to elaborate on everything in detail.

• What Is Towing?
• Why So Important?
• Vehicles That Can Tow
• Types Of Pickups
• Top 3 Best Pickups
• Conclusion
• F.A.Qs

Doing the proper research before you decide to spend all your money on a vehicle is a really important thing in our books. Why? Well, cars nowadays cost a ton of money. It is not like a few years back when you could get a new or a used car for a good deal.

Nowadays everything is really expensive and costs a ton of money. So, when it comes to choosing a vehicle, you don’t have so much room for making mistakes. You need to find the vehicle that you need on the first try. And when it comes to this, if you are unskilled with cars, it can be tricky because it is easy to make a mistake and purchase the wrong car. But you shouldn’t worry because we are going to help you out.

First, we are going to learn more about towing capacity and why towing is important. Then we will dive into the vehicles that can tow 10 000 lbs and discuss more about them and their characteristics. And after that, we will share our top picks when it comes to vehicles that can tow 10 000 lbs. So, if you want to learn more, follow along.

What Is Towing Capacity

Now before we dive into our picks when it comes to vehicles that can tow 10 000 lbs. Let’s take a look and discuss what is the towing capacity of vehicles. Why this is important? Well, there is a ton of people that confuse the payload capacity with the towing capacity. And these two are not the same deal.

So, we find it necessary to learn more about the towing capacity and learn more about when it comes to towing before we dive into the vehicles that can tow 10 000 lbs. So, if you want to learn more, follow along.

What is towing? Well, towing is the ability of the vehicle to tow trailers. Unlike payload capacity where you store the payload inside of the vehicle. For example, on the bed of your pickup truck.

When it comes to towing, you tow the object behind you. This means that you attach the trailer to a hook and then you start towing the vehicle.

The vehicle that you can tow can be a small trailer, camper, boat, livestock trailer, or something else. There are a ton of different types of trailers out there and all of them have different requirements when it comes to the towing capacity.

And here we come to the towing capacity. What determines the towing capacity? Well, this characteristic is most often determined by the powertrain that powers the vehicle. This includes the engine, transmission, driveshaft, and differential.

Every vehicle has a maximum towing capacity and you should definitely not try to go above the factory-recommended towing capacity because you will possibly damage the vehicle. But more on the risks, we are going to elaborate next before we start discussing more about the vehicles that can tow 10 000 lbs. So, follow along.

Why Is Towing Capacity Important

So, we learned what is the towing capacity and how it is different from the loading capacity. And as we said, the towing capacity determines how much the vehicle can tow behind the rear axle.

If you didn’t know, there is an abbreviation for the towing capacity that you will come across quite often when you are on the search for new or used vehicles that can tow 10 000 lbs. And this abbreviation is GCWR. So, what does this mean in the first place?

Well, GCWR stands for “Gross Combined Weight Rating”. So, you are probably still confused with this phrase, right? Let’s simplify it.

The GCWR is taking into account the weight of the trailer that you are pulling, plus the weight of the cargo as well as the passenger weight. So, everything needs to be calculated.

And how you can calculate the GCWR? Well, you can add the gross weight of the vehicle, plus the vehicle of the trailer and this will give you a rough estimate of the GCWR.

The gross vehicle weight or GVW is the weight that the vehicle has, plus the maximum payload that it can carry.

There are a lot of online calculators on how you can determine the GCWR of your vehicle. Even though, for a lot of vehicles, this is already precalculated by the factory so you don’t have to do anything.

But beware that you can damage the powertrain and also the frame if you overload the vehicle and you try to pull a very large trailer. So, you need to have a rough estimate of what vehicles can tow 10 000 lbs. And in the following chapter, we are going to elaborate on everything in-depth when it comes to these vehicles.

Vehicles That Can Tow 10 000 Lbs

Now let’s dive into the vehicles that can tow 10 000 lbs. What are the types of vehicles that can tow 10,000 lbs?

Well, there are not a lot of vehicles that can tow this much. Practically none in the SUV and sedan categories.

Even though SUVs are really large and are called trucks by people, they are not able to tow more than 9,300 lbs.

And the most capable SUV is the Ford Expedition, this SUV can tow 9,300 lbs. Then there is the Dodge Durango that can tow 8,700 lbs for the Hellcat version while the standard 5.7L can only tow about 7,400 lbs.

Another SUV that can tow a lot is the Lincoln Navigator, which can tow about 8,700 for the most potent version.

Also, the Chevy Tahoe and Chevy Suburban are very capable and can tow about 8,400 lbs and 8,100 lbs respectively. And not to forget the GMC Yukon that can tow about 8,400.

But if you want to tow a lot, for many of these models you will have to pay extra money for these special towing packages and this could cost you a whole fortune in the end. And even though SUVs can tow closely 10,000 lbs. They are nowhere near the vehicles that can tow 10 000 lbs which are in fact light duty pickup trucks.

In the following chapter, we are going to discuss precisely that and we will find out which trucks can tow 10 000 lbs+. And when we are done explaining this topic we will move to our picks when it comes to the vehicles that can tow 10 000 lbs.

Truck Classification For Vehicles That Can Tow 10 000 Lbs

Now since we cleared the misconceptions and learned the vehicles that can tow 10 000 lbs are light-duty pickup trucks, we can move on and learn more about the different types of light-duty pickup trucks.

Basically, there are three major types of light-duty pickup trucks out there. And you can easily notice them by their badges.

There are the 1500, 2500, and 3500. But what do these numbers mean? Well, these numbers refer to the performance and capability of the truck in general.

1500 is basically the lightest truck that cannot tow a lot. These are the trucks that tow about 10,000 to 12,000 lbs. And also, they are the smallest out of the few.

Then you go to the 2500. These trucks can tow quite a lot. Between 15,000 and 19,300lbs. Which is a really healthy number if you are asking me.

And last is the 3500 that can tow more than 21,000 lbs with the maximum of 24,200 lbs for the Ford F-450.

We called these types 1500, 2500, and 3500 because RAM, Chevy, and GMC are using these numbers to name their trucks.

Ford on the other hand is using different nameplates but they are quite similar. For example, Ford is using F-150, F-250, F-350, and F-450. They have similarities still. So, you can compare the F-150 with the RAM 1500 for example, the F-250 With the RAM 2500, the F-350 with the RAM 3500, and so on.

What is important for you is not to get confused and when it comes to trucks, the most important thing to consider is that the smaller the number, the lower the towing and loading characteristics are. But what are the vehicles that can tow 10 000 lbs? More on that next.

Top Picks For Vehicles That Can Tow 10 000 Lbs

So, we learned that the vehicles that can tow 10 000 lbs cannot be sedans or SUVs. Mainly because they are smaller vehicles that are not intended for this purpose. We learned that the vehicles which can tow 10,000 lbs can only be light-duty pickup trucks or heavier trucks.

In order to keep things clean and concise, in the following chapters, we are going to list the most popular vehicles that can tow 10 000 lbs in the light-duty pickup truck lineup. More precisely, models that are between 10,000 lbs and 12,000 lbs. We will cover their specs briefly and learn more about the price as well as their towing performance. So, if you want to learn more. Follow along.

Vehicles That Can Tow 10 000 Lbs #1: Ford F-150

Now let’s begin our list with the vehicles that can tow 10 000 lbs the first on our list is the good old F-150. Why the F-150?

Well, because it is a very capable truck. Easily one of the best light-duty trucks in the world. If not the best for its job. This is why this model sells quite well and breaks records each year when it comes to sales.

Nevertheless, the newest model is really fresh. It was introduced in 2021 and carries a lot of tech inside.

There are various trim levels and cabs that you can choose from. There is the XT, XLT, King Ranch, Lariat, Tremor, and Platinum trim levels. The King Ranch and other well-equipped versions only come with a SuperCrew cab. Except for the Lariat that comes with a SuperCab.

Other types of cabs that you can choose from are the regular cab which has the longest bed of all. Then there is the SuperCab which is a medium size cab and there is the SuperCrew which is the biggest cab of all the options. But is this in the line of vehicles that can tow 10 000 lbs? More on this in a bit, let’s cover the engines and transmissions first.

Engines & Transmissions

In terms of engines, we can say that there is only an option for gas-powered engines, unfortunately, there is no Powerstroke diesel option after 2021.

There are 2.7L EcoBoost Nano that is pushing 325hp and 400lb-ft of torque, and a 3.3L V6 Cyclone that is making 290hp and 259lb-ft of torque. Then, there is the most powerful engine, a 3.5L V6 EcoBoost that is making 400hp and 500lb-ft of torque. And the 5.0L Coyote that is creating 400hp and 410lb-ft of torque.

But the most powerful model is the PowerBoost 3.5L V6 engine. This is the hybrid version of the F-150. This engine is pushing 430hp and 6,000lb-ft of torque. Which is really good for towing. But what about vehicles that can tow 10 000 lbs? Can this model tow? Let’s find out.

Towing Capacity

The most capable model in the F-150 lineup with a V6 engine is the 3.5L PowerBoost which is the hybrid variant. This model can tow up to 12,700lbs. So, if you really need something that can tow more than 10,000lbs, this is the model that you want.

The 5.0L V8 is also a very capable engine that can tow between 10,200 and 11,300lbs in the SuperCab variant. With the SuperCrew this number can go up to 11,600lbs.

Price

When it comes to pricing, the PowerBoost which is the most capable version of the F-150 starts at about $42,000 with the basic XL trim.

While if you want to get Limited or Platinum you will have to pay $74,420 and $63,000 respectively. Now let’s move to the next vehicle that can tow 10 000 lbs.

Vehicles That Can Tow 10 000 Lbs #2: RAM 1500

The next on our list of vehicles that can tow 10 000 lbs or more is the RAM 1500. So, why the RAM 1500? Well, why not?

RAM is one of the brands that have a long reputation in the US market. They were first known as Dodge RAM. But recently they become a standalone brand.

Also, the 1500 is one of the bestsellers in the US market when it comes to pickups. There is rarely a truck except for the F-150 to compete with the RAM.

The RAM 1500 is also available in four cab sizes. More precisely a Regular Cab, Crew Cab, Quad Cab, and Mega Cab.

There are also a couple of trims like the Tradesman, Big Horn, Rebel, Laramie, and Limited. But are these vehicles that can tow 10 000 lbs? More on that next.

Engines & Transmissions

When it comes to engines, this model includes many options. Gasoline, as well as diesel engines, are offered.

There are 3.6L V6 and 5.7L V8 gasoline versions. There are also diesel options. Namely, the 3.0L EcoDiesel.

In terms of transmissions, there are two, a 6-speed Aisin heavy-duty automatic and an 8-speed ZF automatic.

Towing Capacity

When it comes to towing, we would say to avoid the 3.6L V6 engine because it can only tow 7,730lbs.

For towing the best deals are the 5.7L HEMI which can tow 11,610lbs and the 3.0L EcoDiesel which can tow 12,560lbs.

Price

When it comes to prices, the Tradesman which is the base model starts right at $41,000. But you definitely want something more capable than this. Something like the Big Horn. This model starts at $46,000. Now let’s move on to the next vehicle that can tow 10 000 lbs.

Vehicles That Can Tow 10 000 Lbs #3: Chevy Silverado 1500/GMC Sierra 1500

And the last on our list of vehicles that can tow 10 000 lbs are the Chevy Silverado and the GMC Sierra 1500.

Why do we discuss both of these models in the same chapter? Well, because they are genuinely the same models. Except for some visual tweaks that make you think that they are different. Both GMC and Chevy are GM brands and they basically share everything between them.

There are three types of cabs to choose from a standard Regular cab, a Double Cab, and a Crew Cab. In terms of trims, there are different ones. For example, Chevy has the LT, LT Trail Boss LTX, and RST. While GMC has the SLE, SLT, AT4, and the Denali.

So, it really depends if you are more into GMC or Chevy. Personally, I love the GMC lines more since it looks more rugged than a truck should be. But everyone is different. But is this one of the vehicles that can tow 10 000 lbs? More on this in a bit.

Engines & Transmissions

In terms of engines, it is worth mentioning that there are three of them that are offered. The smallest engine is the 5.3L V8. A really reliable engine if you are asking me. Also, there is the 6.2L V8 engine. This engine is a little bit overkill for your application though. And there is the 3.0L Duramax inline-6 diesel engine.

In terms of transmissions, there are two of them to choose from. An 8-speed automatic for the 2WD models and a 10-speed automatic for the 4WD models. But are these vehicles that can tow 10 000 lbs? More on that next.

Towing Capacity

Now let’s take a look and learn if this is one of the vehicles that can tow 10 000 lbs. And we can confirm that it is.

With the Max Trailering package, the 5.3L V8 can tow 11,200 lbs. The 6.2L can tow up to 13,000lbs.

As for the diesel, we would not recommend it because it can tow only 9,300lbs. Which is not sufficient for our application. But what about the price of these vehicles that can tow 10 000 lbs? More on that next.

Price

When it comes to pricing, these vehicles that can tow 10 000 lbs from both Chevy and GMC start at $41,000. Just like the RAM 1500 that we reviewed previously.

Still, you want something more capable and for this, you will have to spare $10,000 more to get something really special and capable when it comes to towing. The SLT version starts at $53,995.

Conclusion To Vehicles That Can Tow 10 000 Lbs

In this article, we have covered quite a bit when it comes to vehicles that can tow 10 000 lbs. First, we covered towing and why towing is important. Then we discussed which vehicles that can tow 10 000 lbs and learned that these are only pickup trucks.

After we finished with the basics and understood more about these types of vehicles. We covered the three most popular light-duty pickup trucks that can tow 10,000 lbs. All of them are excellent options. But our personal favorite is the Ford F-150 PowerBoost since it can tow more than 12,700lbs.

F.A.Qs On Vehicles That Can Tow 10 000 Lbs

Now let’s answer some frequently asked questions.

What Is GCWR

GCWR is the Gross Combined Weight Rating. This rating number takes into account the gross weight of the vehicle. As well as the gross weight of the trailer that you are pulling.

What Is Towing Capacity

The towing capacity is the limit that your truck can tow. So, if the truck is rated for a maximum towing capacity of 10,000 lbs. You should not go above this limit because the hitch might fail or there could be some other damage to the powertrain.

What Is A Towing Package

A towing package is a special trim that some carmakers offer on their trucks and SUVs. This package as the name implies includes extra cameras and towing assistance features that will make your towing experience very easy.

Can A Car Pull A Trailer

Yes, it can pull a trailer but most cars are limited to 3,500 lbs. For more precise information, you should check the owner’s manual or the sticker on the door pillar.

How Much Can My Truck Tow

Trucks usually tow above 7,000 lbs with no problem. Light duty trucks can tow up to 12,700. These include the F-150, RAM 1500, and Sierra 1500. Bigger trucks like the F-250 understandably can tow more up to 18,000lbs.

What Truck Has The Best Towing Capacity

When it comes to light-duty pickup trucks, the best towing capacity has the Silverado with the 6.2L V8 engine. This model can tow up to 13,000 lbs. When it comes to V6 engines, the Ford F-150 PowerBoost can tow about 12,700lbs.