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Most pickup buyers looking to tow much more than 10,000 pounds opt for heavy-duty trucks (2500 or F-250 size trucks). But certain configurations of full-size, light-duty trucks (often called half-ton trucks) can tow an incredible amount of weight. In fact, two separate half-ton trucks can tow more than 13,000 pounds: the Ford F-150 and the Chevrolet Silverado 1500.

The 2021-present Ford F-150 can tow 14,000 pounds

Ford photo of a half-ton F-150 showing off its towing capacity by pulling a trailer up a snowy, mountain road.
2021 Ford F-150 | Ford

Ford offers one of the most diverse powertrain lineups in Detroit. And some of the F-150 powertrains can tow a lot more than others. The king of Ford F-150 towing capacity is not a V8, it’s the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6. Ford advertises that an EcoBoost-equipped F-150 can make 400 horsepower and tow up to 14,000 pounds.

A 5.0-liter V8 equipped Ford may not be the most powerful F-150, but it is still one of the strongest half-ton trucks around. Ford advertises its V8-equipped F-150s as some of the most powerful, making 400 horsepower and towing up to 13,000 pounds.

The Ford PowerBoost hybrid drivetrain adds an electric motor/generator between the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 and its 10-speed transmission. The resulting drivetrain makes 430 horsepower. But it also includes heavy batteries, so itstowing capacity is just 12,700 pounds.

The 2019-present Chevrolet Silverado 1500 can tow 13,300 pounds

Promo shot of a Silverado 1500 towing a white box trailer down a tree-lined country road.
2019 Silverado 1500 | General Motors

General Motors advertises its maximum half-ton truck towing capacity as 13,300 pounds. Two separate Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup trucks are capable of pulling 13,300 pounds.

One of the strongest Silverado’s available is the 6.2-liter V8 equipped configuration. The V8 Silverado with the highest tested tow rating is a double cab, standard bed RST with 4WD. In addition, Chevy equipped this truck with the Max Trailering Package and 20-inch rims to pull off the 13,300 pound tow rating.

The other Silverado tied for first place is equipped with a diesel. Chevrolet also tested a double cab 1500 with the Duramax 3.0-liter turbodiesel I6. This truck was also equipped with the Max Trailering Package and 20-inch rims, and it also pulled 13,300 pounds.

Even though GMC Sierra 1500 pickup trucks are mechanically identical to Chevy Silverado 1500s, GMC advertises a different maximum tow rating. This is because GMC chose to test a 4WD version of its 3.0-liter turbodiesel truck. GMC claims the highest 4WD diesel tow rating in the class, at 13,000 pounds.

The Toyota Tundra and Ram 1500 both have a respectable maximum towing capacity

Heavy-duty Ram pickup truck twoing a heavy livestock trailer down the interstate, rolling hills visible in the background.
Heavy-duty Ram truck | Ravi Kayden via Unsplash

Ram debuted the fifth-generation of its 1500 pickup truck for the 2019 model year. The brand is advertising a 12,750 pound maximum tow rating when equipped with its 5.7-liter HEMI V8. This is a respectable tow rating, just several hundred pounds shy of the current GMC’s best. Ram also offers auto-leveling air suspension to make towing safer and more comfortable. There’s a good chance we’ll see Ram retake the half-ton towing record with its sixth-generation redesign sometime in the future. But many Ram fans who do a lot of towing opt for the heavy-duty Ram (2500 and larger) and the legendary Cummins engine.

Toyota debuted its third-generation Tundra pickup truck for the 2022 model year. The truck has a rear coil suspension setup, similar to the latest Ram. It also has a turbocharged V6, similar to Ford’s EcoBoost. Toyota is advertising a maximum tow rating of 12,000 pounds, but has not been broadcasting with which configuration can tow the most. There is a good chance the Tundra with the highest towing capacity will end up being the i-FORCE MAX hybrid version of its V6, not yet available for purchase.

Check out how all the half-ton pickup trucks maximum tow ratings stack up in the table below:

Make and ModelMax Towing CapacityConfiguration
Ford F-15014,000 pounds3.5-liter EcoBoost V6
Chevrolet Silverado 150013,300 pounds3.0-liter turbodiesel, double cab, 2WD, max trailering package, and 20-inch wheels
GMC Sierra 150013,000 pounds3.0-liter turbodiesel, double cab, 4WD, max trailering package, and 20-inch wheels
Ram 150012,750 pounds5.7-liter HEMI V8 with eTorque
Toyota Tundra12,000 pounds 2WD SR5 with the tow package
Nissan Titan9,320 poundsKing Cab 4×2

Read about F-150 trim levels or watch the latest Ford F-150’s towing capacity tested in the video below:

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Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari joined MotorBiscuit in 2021 and brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts.

Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. He has since incorporated his love of the written word with his admiration of classic cars. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.