One of the many reasons why we admire the pickup truck so much is its towing capabilities. The average pickup is a workhorse, the ultimate ‘do-it-all’ vehicle that provides the capacity to make tasks like towing a breeze. Even when you’re not towing, the open cargo beds accessible via most pickups mean they can carry pretty much anything anywhere, while providing comfort in-cab for you and your passengers.
If you have a towing mission on your hands however, it is important to acknowledge that not all pickups were created equal. Here we reveal the best pickup truck for towing, a close second, and the upgrades that can make towing safer and easier whatever your chosen make and model.
And the best pickup for towing is…
…the Toyota Hilux of course! The Hilux is well known for unlocking several benefits, with its ruggedness, durability, reliability, and impressive on- and off-road capabilities making it a pleasure to drive for work or leisure.
While there are several Hilux upgrades that’ll make this iconic pickup even better, its towing capacity has stood up to some serious scrutiny. This includes a road test towing an Adria Isonzo 613 DT caravan with 180kg of ballast conducted by TowingCapacity.co.uk:
“While acceleration wasn’t lightning-fast, the Hilux performed well overall, and held 60mph even on motorway inclines, although it occasionally dropped to fourth gear. At the legal limit, the Hilux was stable, but passing larger vehicles did cause some slight swaying. Overall, with its added power and torque and the increased Hilux towing capacity makes this pickup a strong contender for anyone looking for a reliable and capable vehicle for towing heavier loads.”
The Ranger was a really close second
The Ford Ranger isn’t the UK’s biggest and bestselling pickup truck for nothing! While depending on the exact Ranger, towing capacity varies from 2,180 to 7,500 pounds (between 2000 and 2011 models), additional towing features found on newer models makes the towing process even more straightforward.
For pickup enthusiasts wanting to make towing a regular occurrence, Ford now offers trailer towing packages to ensure items like camper trailers, UTVs, ATVs, dirt bikes and boats can be transported with ease and efficiency.
The towing accessories every pickup needs
You don’t have to trade in your current pickup to make towing safer and easier! We’re definitely of the attitude that upgrading, not replacing, your 4WD vehicle is the best option.
We stock ARB rear bumpers for several makes and models, including pickup trucks. Our ARB rear bumpers have 2” receiver hitches, and integrate heavy-duty towing systems designed for maximum functionality and strength. All ARB bumpers are vehicle-specific and come with full installation kits (including brackets and bolts) to guarantee the perfect fit.
Our Saber and ARB recovery kits are also must-haves for regular towers. These kits provide you with the accessories you need to tow safely, whatever your destination or the terrain along the way.
Shop all the towing upgrades mentioned above and more right here at 4×4 Works.
