Owning a boat comes with a lot of excitement and freedom, but it also brings the responsibility of finding the right truck to tow it. Boats differ in size, weight, and stature. Different watercraft call for different tow truck requirements. If you are heading out for a day of fishing with a dinghy or taking your ocean-going vessel on a weekend cruise, the right truck makes all the difference in ensuring safe, smooth trips to and from the water. With so many truck options out there, how do you know which workhorse will be the best fit for your boat-towing needs?
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key considerations when choosing a truck for towing a boat, from towing capacity and fuel efficiency to drivetrain options and essential towing accessories. By the end, you’ll have all the information needed to identify the best pickup suitable for your requirements.
1. Understanding Your Towing Needs
Assessing Towing Capacity For Boats
Before you dive into choosing the best truck to haul your boat, it’s important to first ask yourself: Do you already have a boat, or are you still shopping around for one? Or are you in love with a certain boat, and now need to find a truck to handle that specific vessel? This matters because the process of selecting a truck may look different depending on whether you’ve already chosen your boat or if you're still figuring out what kind of truck you want versus what you need
Once you’ve made that decision, the next step is to determine your towing needs. Towing capacity is the maximum weight a truck can safely tow, and it varies widely between different makes and models. This is especially important when towing a boat, as it's easy to overlook the total weight of the boat, trailer, and any extra gear.
To calculate the combined weight of your boat, trailer, and equipment, start by checking the boat's weight (including fuel, water, and any accessories). Next, weigh the trailer and remember to factor in gear like coolers, anchors, and fishing equipment. This total weight will help guide you toward a truck with sufficient towing capacity, ensuring both safety and the longevity of your vehicle.
It’s also essential to understand GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating), which is the maximum weight a truck can carry, and CGVWR (Combined Gross Vehicle Weight Rating), which includes the weight of both the truck and any trailer or load being towed. These specifications will help ensure your vehicle can safely handle the combined weight of your boat, trailer, and gear. All of these vehicle ratings can be found in the owner's manual.
If you need to weigh your vehicle or trailer, you can visit local businesses with commercial truck scales. Landfills, quarries, concrete truck companies, and freight terminals often provide weighing services. Just search for truck scale services in your area and give them a call to check if they allow individuals to use their scales.
Truck Size: How Big Is Big Enough?
When it comes to truck size, boat owners should typically be looking at full-size half-ton, three-quarter-ton, or one-ton pickups, each offering varying towing capacities. It all depends on the size of the boat and laod. But how do you know which is right for you?
Half-ton trucks like the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Toyota Tundra, and RAM 1500 are all popular choices for those towing lighter boats and smaller trailers. These trucks offer a good balance of towing capacity, fuel efficiency, and everyday practicality. With available tow package options, they’re ideal for casual boaters or those who tow smaller boats on short trips.
On the other hand, trucks actually built for daily heavy-hauling, such as the Ford Super Duty, GM’s Silverado HD or Sierra HD, and RAM Heavy Duty provide higher towing capacities, making them better suited for larger boats and long-distance towing. If you own a heavier boat or frequently take it to remote locations, a full-size truck may be your best bet. The increased towing power and stability will give you peace of mind while on the road.
2. Top Picks For Trucks Towing A Boat
Like we stated earlier, there are a lot of options out there for good towing pickup trucks. Do you want new, or can you work with something slightly used? Older model trucks will not have the same tech found on new vehicle platforms like blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, and integrated trailer brake controllers. New trucks offer the latest tech, and some even possess the capability of taking over your vehicle, like Ford’s Pro Trailer Backup Assist system and Pro Trailer Hitch Assist.
Half-Ton Pickup Trucks – Ideal for Smaller Boats
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
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Towing Capacity: Up to 13,300 lbs
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Engine Options: 5.3L V8, 6.2L V8, 3.0L Duramax Diesel
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Notable Features: Trailer sway control, integrated brake controller, available Max Tow Package
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Why It’s Great: The Silverado 1500 is one of the most versatile trucks for towing smaller to medium-sized boats. With a range of engine options, including the fuel-efficient Duramax diesel, it offers a smooth towing experience with enough power to handle various boat sizes. Its towing capabilities and comfort on both highways and off-road terrain make it an excellent choice for recreational boaters.
Ford F-150
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Towing Capacity: Up to 14,000 lbs (EcoBoost V6)
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Engine Options: 3.3L V6, 2.7L EcoBoost V6, 5.0L V8, 3.5L EcoBoost V6
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Notable Features: Pro Trailer Backup Assist, integrated brake controller, trailer sway control
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Why It’s Great: The F-150 offers strong towing power, especially with its EcoBoost V6 engine. It’s ideal for towing smaller to medium-sized boats, offering excellent fuel economy and a smooth ride. Its Pro Trailer Backup Assist system is a standout, making it easier than ever to maneuver a boat into tight spots.
RAM 1500
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Towing Capacity: Up to 12,750 lbs (with HEMI V8)
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Engine Options: 3.6L V6, 5.7L HEMI V8, 3.0L EcoDiesel
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Notable Features: Air suspension, trailer sway control, integrated brake controller
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Why It’s Great: The RAM 1500 is known for its smooth ride, especially with its available air suspension. Its HEMI V8 offers plenty of towing power for smaller to medium-sized boats, while its EcoDiesel engine is perfect for those looking for better fuel efficiency without sacrificing too much towing capacity. It’s a solid choice for boaters who prioritize comfort along with power.
Toyota Tundra
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Towing Capacity: Up to 12,000 lbs
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Engine Options: i-FORCE MAX 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6 Hybrid, 5.7L V8 (older models)
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Notable Features: Towing tech like trailer sway control, available tow package
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Why It’s Great: The Toyota Tundra is a dependable, rugged truck with a reputation for reliability. While its towing capacity is a bit lower than some competitors in this class, it’s still more than capable of handling small to medium-sized boats. Its towing tech, such as trailer sway control, ensures safe towing over long distances.
Heavy-Duty Pickup Trucks – Best for Larger Boats
Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
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Towing Capacity: Up to 18,500 lbs
Engine Options: 6.6L V8 Gas, 6.6L Duramax V8 Diesel -
Notable Features: Tow package, integrated brake controller, heavy-duty suspension, trailer sway control
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Why It’s Great: The Silverado 2500HD is built to handle larger boats and heavier loads with ease. Its Duramax diesel engine provides the torque needed to handle even the toughest towing tasks. The added towing safety features, like trailer brakes and integrated brake controllers, ensure a stable and secure towing experience.
Ford Super Duty F-250
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Towing Capacity: Up to 22,000 lbs (when properly equipped with the diesel engine)
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Engine Options: 7.3L V8, 6.7L Power Stroke Turbo DieselNotable Features: Pro Trailer Backup Assist, trailer sway control, heavy-duty frame, advanced towing tech
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Why It’s Great: If you're towing a heavy boat or plan on going on long-distance trips, the F-250 Super Duty is a powerful choice. Its Power Stroke Diesel engine gives it the towing capacity to manage large boats and tough terrains. Additionally, Pro Trailer Backup Assist makes the otherwise difficult task of backing up your trailer much easier.
RAM 2500
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Towing Capacity: Up to 19,980 lbs (with Cummins Turbo Diesel)
Engine Options: 6.4L HEMI V8, 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel -
Notable Features: Heavy-duty suspension, integrated brake controller, trailer sway control
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Why It’s Great: The RAM 2500 is a workhorse when it comes to towing larger boats. Its Cummins Turbo Diesel engine delivers powerful torque to easily handle larger and heavier loads. Whether you're towing a large boat over long distances or tackling tough terrains, the RAM 2500 is built for heavy-duty towing.
Ford Super Duty F-350
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Towing Capacity: Up to 37,090 lbs (with High-Output Power Stroke Diesel)
Engine Options: 7.3L V8, 6.7L Power Stroke Turbo Diesel -
Notable Features: Enhanced suspension, Pro Trailer Backup Assist, integrated brake controller
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Why It’s Great: The F-350 is the ultimate towing machine, built to handle the heaviest loads, including large boats and equipment. With its High-Output Power Stroke Diesel, the F-350 offers the highest towing capacity in the Super Duty lineup, making it perfect for serious boaters with heavy-duty needs.
3. SUV vs. Truck: What’s Better For Towing?
Comparing Tow Ratings And Payload
While many boat owners opt for a truck, SUVs like the GMC Yukon and Chevy Suburban can also tow boats. These two GM platforms even come in heavy hauler variants with a MAX Trailer package. SUVs provide a combination of towing capability, passenger, and cargo space, which is a great option for families who want to take a trip with both the boat and a full passenger load.
However, when it comes to towing heavier boats, heavy-duty trucks like the Super Duty or Chevrolet Silverado HD are often the better choice due to their higher tow ratings and payload capacities.
Impacts On Fuel Efficiency And MPG
One downside of towing a boat with a truck is the impact on MPG. Trucks generally have lower fuel economy than SUVs, and towing a boat can significantly reduce efficiency. That said, some trucks (like the Ford F-150 with EcoBoost) have relatively good fuel economy, especially when compared to their larger counterparts. If fuel efficiency is a major consideration for you, it’s worth exploring trucks with diesel engines, which tend to offer both power and decent fuel economy when towing heavy loads.
4. 4WD vs. 2WD: Which Drivetrain Reigns Supreme?
Exploring The Benefits Of 4wd For Towing A Boat
When it comes to towing a boat, 4WD offers significant advantages. The most obvious reason for having a truck with 4x4 when towing a boat is launching and loading the boat into and out of the water. A boat launch, in the best-case scenario, will have a slope inclination of around 10 to 15 degrees, depending on the location. Traction can also be very limited, and terrain can be slippery, uneven, or muddy, especially when launching in remote areas or on less-maintained ramps.
For boaters who like to take their trucks off-road to access more remote lakes or rivers, 4WD provides better traction and stability when towing through muddy, sandy, or uneven terrain, making it an excellent choice for those who need to access hard-to-reach locations.
A 4WD system provides the extra traction needed to safely navigate such conditions, preventing your truck from getting stuck and ensuring that the boat is safely launched without risk of slipping or losing control.
5. Additional Considerations For Boat Owners
Essential Tow Packages And Accessories
Choosing the right truck is just one part of the equation. Proper towing equipment is just as important. A tow package typically includes a hitch, trailer brakes, and an integrated brake controller, and is all necessary for safe and smooth towing. Most new trucks offer factory-installed towing packages, at the time of order or dealer upfitting, that can make towing a boat much easier.
If you plan to tow heavy boats, it’s also important to consider weight distribution and sway control systems. A vehicle-specific suspension enhancement system, like Timbren SES for trailers, can easily be bolted on with common hand tools and bolster a loaded down truck. These features help ensure that your boat stays under control, preventing dangerous swaying or fishtailing, especially at highway speeds.
Choosing Between Gas And Diesel Engines
Diesel engines, like the Cummins in the RAM 2500 or Duramax in the Chevy Silverado 2500, provide the torque needed for heavy towing. They handle big boats, long distances, and steep hills with ease, delivering consistent power for tough jobs. Diesel engines are often paired with advanced drivetrains that reduce the need to shift gears constantly, especially on long grades, making for a smoother and more efficient ride. If you're regularly hauling heavy boats or going off-road, a diesel engine is the way to go.
Gas engines, like the RAM HEMI V8, Ford EcoBoost V6, or Toyota Tundra Hybrid Max, are more fuel-efficient, making them better for shorter trips or lighter towing. They still have plenty of towing power for smaller boats, and you won’t have to worry about fuel costs as much. For casual boaters or those staying local, a gas engine offers a great balance of performance and savings.
It’s also worth noting that some manufacturers once offered diesel-powered half-ton trucks, like the F-150 PowerStroke V6 and the RAM 1500 EcoDiesel V6, but many have phased them out. However, GM still offers a diesel option in the Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500, with a turbocharged I6 engine badged as a Duramax.
If you need heavy-duty towing, go with diesel. For lighter loads or short trips, gas will do just fine.
Ready, Set, Tow: Picking The Perfect Truck For Boating Adventures
Choosing the best truck for towing your boat boils down to your unique needs. If you're towing a lighter boat on short trips, a reliable half-ton truck like the Ford F-150 or RAM 1500 might be all you need. But if you're hauling heavier boats or traveling longer distances, a more powerful heavy-duty truck like the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 or Ford F-250 offers the strength and stability you need to get the job done without breaking a sweat.
Don’t forget to factor in other key considerations: Does your tow setup require 4WD for tricky terrains? Should you opt for a gas or diesel engine based on your load and distance needs? And remember, having the right tow package can make all the difference in towing safety and efficiency.
If you want to improve your towing stability even further, Timbren’s suspension systems provide enhanced comfort, reduce sway, and make sure your trips to the water are smooth and safe.
Picking the perfect truck for your boating adventures is a big decision, but armed with the right knowledge, you’ll be able to make a choice that keeps you on the road and water for years to come. Ready to elevate your towing experience? Discover how Timbren can take your setup to the next level.
