9 BEST 3/4 TON TRUCKS FOR TOWING Boats, Campers, and Trailers
There are a lot of factors to consider when you’re thinking about buying a new truck. If you’re interested in a truck that can tow large items behind it, you’ll need to choose a vehicle that can handle the added strain. When they have the proper packages and engines, 3/4 ton trucks (or midsize trucks) can tow up to 20,000 lbs. These heavy-duty vehicles are great choices when it comes to towing, but what are the best models to help you start your search?
Below we’ve compiled 9 of the best 3/4 ton trucks. These come from a variety of manufacturers and there should be a vehicle on the list that will suit your needs perfectly! They’re ranked from the highest tow capacity to the lowest, but even the smallest truck on this list should be able to haul a good variety of items.
(Please keep in mind that the specific prices and weights may vary depending on the dealer stock and trims that are available in your area).
Ford F-250 Super Duty XLT
- Towing Capacity: 20,000 lbs.
- Payload: 4,260 lbs.
- GVWR: 10,000 lbs.
- Base Price: $36,565
Ford trucks are very popular among the towing community. They come in a range of prices, sizes, and horsepowers, but the F-250 is a good midsize model. It can tow up to 20,000 lbs. so it can handle fully-laden trailers, and even some fifth wheels! This truck has the power of a one ton truck within the body of a 3/4 ton truck. Its power is exceptional, which definitely puts it at the top of the list.
This truck has more to offer than just its tow capacity though. The Ford lineup hovers near the top of the automobile world, so they are constantly refining and re-inventing their products. The F-250 Super Duty is a great vehicle for both heavy-duty towing and everyday driving. This model has a set of interior outlets, powerful headlights with different settings, and a rearview camera to help improve your visibility and prevent crashes. It’s a comfortable and powerful 3/4 ton truck that’s definitely worth a look!
For more information about this model, including gallery photos, additional packages, and similar vehicles, visit the home page here.
Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD
- Towing Capacity: 18,500 lbs.
- Payload: 3,760 lbs.
- GVWR: 10,650 lbs.
- Base Price: $34,900
Chevrolet is another brand that sits at the top of the truck world. Chevys are quite popular as tow vehicles, but they can also be good for heavy-duty work and casual driving. They’re very adaptable cars, which has made them well-liked. With a towing capacity of 18,500 lbs, it’s easy to see why these are top choices for towing boats, trailers, and other heavy items.
The Silverado lineup offers a few different trims, but all of them have the same high-quality design and a variety of special features. Owners can choose to add bed-view camera to improve their visibility and there are several optional features as well. You can choose to install packages that improve your suspension, increase the tow capacity, or just add a few luxury add-ons. The standard model even comes with an LTE hotspot so you’ll always have data on the road!
For more information about this model, including gallery photos, additional packages, and similar vehicles, visit the home page here.
2020 Ram 2500 Tradesman
- Towing Capacity: 15,040 lbs.
- Payload: 4,010 lbs.
- GVWR: 10,000 lbs.
- Base Price: $34,345
This list wouldn’t be complete without a Ram truck. The Ram 2500 Tradesman is a strong contender in the world of trailering. Depending on the trim and engine type you select, you can tow over 15,000 lbs. with this truck. Most campers and boats fall well within this weight range, so the Ram Tradesman will be able to handle them easily.
The standard Ram Tradesman doesn’t come with a lot of bells and whistles, but sometimes all you need is a reliable truck. If you’re interested in spicing it up a bit, you can add things like a built-in fifth wheel hitch, cold-weather accessories, and 6 internal speakers. Multiple warranty options are also available for Ram trucks, so you can sleep soundly knowing that your investment is safe!
For more information about this model, including gallery photos, additional packages, and similar vehicles, visit the home page here.
2021 RAM 2500 Big Horn
- Towing Capacity: 14,970 lbs.
- Payload: 4,010 lbs.
- GVWR: 10,000 lbs.
- Base Price: $37,995
As long as we’re talking about Rams, let’s not overlook the Big Horn lineup! The Big Horn is similar to the Tradesman but it falls just barely below its towing capacity. The 14,970 lb. tow capacity is still considerable though, and you’ll be able to pull almost any trailer, boat, or other recreational vehicle with a Big Horn truck.
Big Horn trucks come with all the standard Ram safety features, but there’s also a little room for customization and upgrades. If you’re custom-ordering these trucks, you can choose to add features like a more powerful engine, cameras for your trailer, heated seats, or a couple of extra equipment packages. Ram offers a good variety of optional add-ons, so no two trucks are quite the same.
For more information about this model, including gallery photos, additional packages, and similar vehicles, visit the home page here.
2021 GMC Sierra 2500 HD
- Towing Capacity: 14,500 lbs.
- Payload: 3,798 lbs.
- GVWR: 10,150 lbs.
- Base Price: $37,795 lbs.
GMC is another big player in the truck world. Their vehicles are powerful and the Sierra 2500 has a high towing capacity that definitely makes it one of the best options for hauling large items. Multiple different trims are available, as well as options for 2-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.
The GMC Sierra really shines when it comes to customization. There are tons of optional features, as well as a variety of packages. This freedom allows you to add things like automatic traffic alert systems, truck bed cameras, and attachments for gooseneck hitches and fifth-wheel hitches. The base model is comfortable and powerful too, so you don’t need to add a bunch of extra stuff if you just want a nice reliable truck.
For more information about this model, including gallery photos, additional packages, and similar vehicles, visit the home page here.
Nissan Titan XD
- Towing Capacity: 11,040 lbs.
- Payload: 2,390 lbs.
- GVWR: 8,800 lbs.
- Base Price: $36,650
The Nissan Titan is another heavy-duty truck that manages to maintain a high towing capacity within a smaller truck frame. Its maximum tow capacity gives it the ability to tow a variety of trailers. A lot of trailers weigh less than 10,000 lbs. so the Titan can handle most of them with ease. The Titan XD is slightly more powerful, but both truck models are strong and reliable.
The Nissan Titan can hold its own against other powerful brands like Ford and Toyota. The solid construction and powerful engines of these trucks have earned them a top spot in the vehicle world. Each model comes with V8 engines, and some can even be fitted with off-roading packages that make them tougher than ever. The base models are safe and dependable, but owners can take things up a notch by adding things like water-resistant seat covers, sliding bed extenders, and tents that can be easily attached to the truck of the bed.
For more information about this model, including gallery photos, additional packages, and similar vehicles, visit the home page here.
Chevrolet Colorado 2021
- Towing Capacity: 7,000 lbs.
- Payload: 1,550 lbs.
- GVWR: 5,800 lbs.
- Base Price: $32,495
We’re not quite done with Chevrolet on this list, so the 2021 Colorado deserves a shout-out! This truck is a bit less powerful than the previous models, but it’s still strong enough to cover a lot of your towing needs. It also has a greater focus on user comfort, so you can count on the Colorado to serve as a dependable truck for towing or driving.
The Colorado’s design is a mix between a standard boxy truck and a modern SUV. It has a more streamlined design, but still has a build, suspension, and engine that can stand up against any other truck. Buyers can choose to switch out the engines for more powerful models or add off-roading packages. This truck is perfect for city driving or traveling the backroads with a trailer in tow!
For more information about this model, including gallery photos, additional packages, and similar vehicles, visit the home page here.
2021 Toyota Tacoma SR
- Towing Capacity: 6,400 lbs.
- Payload: 1,155 lbs.
- GVWR: 5,600 lbs.
- Base Price: $32,515 lbs.
Of course, Toyota has to get its dues on this list as well! These trucks are quite common, and although they’re not quite as powerful as the previous models, they can still pack a punch where it counts. The Toyota Tacoma is a compact 3/4 ton truck that can tow up to 6,400 lbs. Although fifth wheels are out of range at this point, these trucks are good options for hauling medium-sized boats, trailers, and other towable items.
These trucks are also outfitted with lots of conveniences and accessories, which makes them perfect for a modern family. The Tacoma has features that automatically monitor tire pressure, and prevent pedestrian accidents with its pre-collision technology. They also come with a complimentary maintenance plan, so you won’t need to worry about upkeep for a long time. It may be a bit on the lower end of tow capacity, but this Toyota truck will still serve you well!
For more information about this model, including gallery photos, additional packages, and similar vehicles, visit the home page here.
2021 Honda Ridgeline
- Towing Capacity: 5,000 lbs.
- Payload: 1,583 lbs.
- GVWR: 6,019 lbs.
- Base Price: $36,490
The 2021 Honda Ridgeline is a great 3/4 ton truck, but it’s at the lowest end when it comes to towing capacity. After a certain point, you’ll have a hard time finding boats or trailers that are much lighter than 5,000 lbs. so this unit is probably the smallest truck that will work for you. Although it may be at the bottom of the line, the Ridgeline can still perform well.
Because this truck isn’t just made for heavy-duty towing, it has a range of comfort and convenience features that customers might enjoy. It has a simple push-button start, a luxurious leather interior, heated seats, and an advanced safety system that can prevent crashes before they happen. Honda brings their design expertise to the table with the 2021 Ridgeline truck. It’s a dependable and comfortable truck that’s perfect for a casual trip.
For more information about this model, including gallery photos, additional packages, and similar vehicles, visit the home page here.
What Is A 3/4 Ton Truck?
Now that we have covered some of the best midsize trucks for towing, you still might be wondering what exactly defines a 3/4 ton truck. It’s sometimes to tell at a glance, because they come from many different manufacturers and they have a range of weight capacities.
The term “3/4 ton truck” is actually a bit of a misnomer. Modern pickup trucks usually fall into 3 categories: 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, and 1-ton trucks. These terms were invented many years ago to refer to the payload capacity of trucks. In the past, a 3/4 ton truck was any truck that had a 1,500 lb. payload. Nowadays, trucks are much more powerful and the payload capacity of smaller trucks is much higher than they used to be.
The classification stuck though, so we still refer to trucks with these descriptions. It can be a bit harder to define clear lines between the three types, but generally, you can look at the truck size, payload, and towing capacity to determine whether it’s light-duty, medium-duty, or heavy-duty. All the models below are medium-duty trucks that still hold the classification of 3/4 ton vehicles.
Important Specifications For Towing
When you’re looking for a good tow vehicle, there are a few important specifications to keep an eye on.
Payload:
Payload is an important measurement for trucks. This term refers to the amount of weight that the truck can carry in its bed. This is important when want to install things like fifth wheel hitches or load up the bed with cargo. Going over the payload limit could place too much strain on the chassis and suspension of your truck, which will make it harder to drive and shorten its lifespan.
Towing Capacity:
Towing capacity is one of the biggest factors to consider when you’re truck shopping. This measurement refers to the maximum amount of weight that a truck can safely pull behind it. A low towing capacity may limit your options when it comes to trailer/boat size.
GVWR:
This is an acronym that stands for Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. This measurement refers to the maximum amount of weight that a truck’s structure can support. Basically, it’s the base vehicle weight + the added weight of any passengers and cargo. Most 3/4 ton trucks can support about 10,000 lbs.
GCWR:
This is similar to GVWR, but it refers to the Gross Combination Weight Rating. This is the total weight of a fully laden truck + the weight of the trailer/boat it’s towing behind it. To calculate the GCWR of any given vehicle, you can just add the GVWR + the maximum towing capacity. This is an important measurement to consider if you’re traveling through areas with weight limits.
For a comprehensive breakdown of everything you need to know about tow vehicles, visit this article.