What Midsize Truck Can Tow the Most?

When looking to purchase a truck, there are many different factors to take into account. 

For many, the towing capacity of a prospective truck is very important. This leads many to ask, what midsize truck can tow the most?

What Midsize Truck Can Tow The Most?

The Chevrolet Colorado is the best-midsize truck for towing capacity, with a towing capacity of 7,700 lbs. This figure can be achieved by opting for the tow package, which includes improved cooling, a larger rear-end differential and other features.

When looking at what midsize truck can tow the most, it’s important to note that the competition is tough. While the Colorado leads the list, some are close.

Model	Towing Capacity
Chevrolet Colorado	7,700 lbs
GMC Canyon	7,700 lbs
Jeep Gladiator Utility	7,700 lbs
Ford Ranger	7,500 lbs
Nissan Frontier	7,150 lbs
Toyota Tacoma	6,500 lbs
Honda Ridgeline	5,000 lbs

The market for midsize trucks isn’t the largest, but many of them have respectable towing performance. What’s interesting is that many of these vehicles need specific conditions to achieve their highest towing capacities.

So, not only did we look at what midsize truck can tow the most, but we also researched the details that are crucial for you.

The Chevrolet Colorado

The midsize truck that can tow the most is the Chevrolet Colorado. This truck can have a towing capacity of up to 7,700 lbs.

To get this towing capacity, you need to get the long bed, the extended cab, the 4 wheel drive, and the Duramax Turbo-Diesel engine. However, this midsize truck’s basic trim can tow an average of 7,000 lbs, making it a strong candidate for what midsize truck can tow the most without needing to invest a lot.  

These additions will make the truck cost more, but if a high towing capacity is what you want, this one is the best. Here is some more information about the basic trim of the Chevrolet Colorado:

• Length – 212.70 in
• Width – 74.30 in
• Height – 70.70 in
• Passenger capacity – 5 people
• Gas mileage – 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway

The Chevy Colorado is also one of the cheaper options in the market, with an entry price of around $34,000. However, this cost will increase rapidly with extras.

The GMC Canyon

The GMC Canyon is an interesting option. Mechanically, it’s a twin of the Chevy Colorado. So, in reality, it leads the list of what midsize truck can tow the most with its twin.

So, what do you need to achieve this towing capacity? Here’s what GMC has to say:

“Canyon’s 7,700-lb rating requires the Elevation 2WD Crew Cab model, available Duramax 2.8L I4 Turbo Diesel engine and Trailering Package.”

However, if you don’t get those features and packages, you won’t get that good of a towing capacity. 

Some of the trims of the GMC Canyon can have a towing capacity of only 3,500 lbs. While this isn’t necessarily nothing, it’s low, and can quickly max out in some situations.

If towing capacity is really important to you, make sure to look into the different trims and trailering packages for the truck.

Something to be aware of with the GMC Canyon is that it doesn’t have the best-predicted reliability ratings or customer satisfaction ratings. We highly suggest doing some research if you are interested in buying this truck.

The Jeep Gladiator

It might not look like your typical truck, but technically the Jeep Gladiator is classified as a midsize truck. 

Whether or not you see it as a truck, its towing capacity is 7,700 lbs when you have the right configuration. As with other models, in the basic trim, it has a towing capacity of 4,000 lbs.

This truck is the longest of all the trucks on its list, almost 6 inches longer than the competition. 

Depending on the preferences of the driver, this might be seen as a good thing or a bad thing. 

On the one hand, it means more space, while on the other hand, it means some people might find it harder to park and maneuver.

The Ford Ranger

This Ford Ranger is the next midsize truck we’re going to look at.

It can have a towing capacity of 7,500 lbs. (Source) This truck has the best gas mileage of any on this list, and it still has a decent towing capacity. 

Of course, some specifications will vary depending on the car and driver.

As well as high towing capacity, this truck has a reliability and safety rating of about 4 out of 5 stars. The Ranger is an all-time favorite for people who love the Blue Oval brand.

The Nissan Frontier

Next, we have the Nissan Frontier. While it’s not the most popular pickup truck in the US, its performance is actually worthy of recognition.

Nissan had struggled for some years with improving its presence in the United States. After several quality issues, the company managed to right its ship by 2023, and the Nissan Frontier is perfect proof.

This midsize truck has a towing capacity of 7,150 lbs when equipped properly.

The Toyota Tacoma

If you get the right packages and features, the latest Toyota Tacoma can have a towing capacity of 6,500 lbs. This won’t win any awards, but you can pull a variety of campers and trailers.

But, if you don’t get the extra packages and upgrades, you won’t have a very good towing capacity, like with the GMC Canyon. 

The basic trim for this truck, the SP, only has a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. Again, if a good towing capacity is important for you, you will have to pay for extra packages and features.

The Honda Ridgeline

The last midsize truck on our list is the Honda Ridgeline, which can have a towing capacity of 5,000 lbs.

This truck is the most expensive on our list, and it’s not as rugged as other options on this list. While it doesn’t have the highest towing capacity, it still is a good vehicle. 

Also, it has a safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars. 

The basic specs we found were based on the 2026 Honda Ridgeline Sport trim, but it’s important to note that, in general, Honda doesn’t vary performance much between trim levels. The Honda Ridgeline tows the same 5,000 pounds, regardless of the trim you choose.

It’s also critically important to highlight that the Honda Ridgeline is either FWD or AWD. It’s the only truck on this list with such a configuration. The rest are either RWD or 4WD.

Closing Thoughts To What Midsize Truck Can Tow The Most?

The reality is that midsize trucks aren’t the first to come to mind when you discuss towing. However, it doesn’t mean they can’t pull some decent loads.

So, when looking at what midsize truck can tow the most, it’s important to consider that it won’t be the highest towing capacity truck in the market, especially when compared to full-size trucks. However, you can get upwards of 7,000 lbs in some case.

It’s also important to note that you will have to pay extra, because most options require a tow package. If you’re looking at what midsize truck can tow the most, the Colorado and the Canyon are the top choices.