Towing, just like off-road driving and hauling cargo, is generally associated with pickup trucks — and for good reason. Trucks rule in North America and meet the needs of most buyers. Nevertheless, what about when we’re not talking about the majority?
Pickup trucks usually seat five people, six in rare cases, and comfort is not optimal. Transporting goods means using the cargo bed, which is open and exposed to the elements. Of course, it can be covered, but that significantly reduces its cargo capacity and, to be honest, the bed is never completely sealed.
In short, some situations require another type of vehicle that offers capabilities similar to a pickup truck, but with a much more spacious cabin. If you haven’t guessed already, I’m referring to full-size SUVs.
For the average person, towing means a travel trailer, a boat, or a small utility trailer to carry goods. We tend to think a pickup truck is absolutely necessary to get the job done, but that’s not the case. In fact, to achieve the maximum towing capacity a pickup can offer, you need a two-door, two-wheel-drive configuration. SUVs, on the other hand, provide towing capacities very close to those of four-door, four-wheel-drive pickups.
To illustrate my point, let’s take the F-150 in one of its most popular configurations with the crew cab and short wheelbase. With the 2.7-litre EcoBoost engine, maximum towing capacity is 8,000 pounds. With the 3.5-litre V6, it ranges between 10,200 and 13,100 pounds depending on the version.
Now, let’s talk about the SUV with the highest towing capacity on the market for 2026. Unsurprisingly, it’s the Jeep Grand Wagoneer with a capacity of 10,000 pounds, no less. This performance is made possible by a turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine producing 420 horsepower and 486 lb-ft of torque.
Jean-Sébastien Poudrier
