When it comes to towing capacity, pickup trucks usually take home the award for the maximum tow ratings, with some pulling over 10,000 pounds. However, they lack adequate room for passengers, which makes it hard to tow a heavy trailer and carry your family at the same time. SUVs are your best choice if you are looking to take along several people while towing a heavy camper.
Towing capacity is the maximum weight your vehicle can pull while towing. Braked towing capacity is the maximum weight that a vehicle can tow when the trailer has its own braking system. Unbraked towing capacity is the maximum capacity a vehicle can tow with a trailer that lacks its own braking system; this is usually less than braked towing capacity. You can find your vehicle’s towing capacity in the owner’s manual.
Here are four family vehicles with great towing capacity.
2020 Ford Expedition
Max Towing: 9,300 pounds
The 2020 Ford Expedition is super-spacious with reasonable fuel consumption, and it offers an excellent ride quality. One of its most impressive attributes is its tow rating of up to 9,300 pounds. This eight-seater, full-size SUV can tow your trailer and seat your family with ease.
Under the hood of the standard Ford Expedition is a 3.5-liter V-6 twin-turbocharged engine that generates 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. It uses a basic rear-wheel drive setup with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Its fuel economy is estimated at 17 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway, these are solid numbers for a vehicle of its size.
The Ford Expedition has a spacious cargo area of 104.6 cubic feet. The interior also has ample legroom for first-row passengers and 42.6 feet for those in the second row. There are four options to choose from: the XLT, Limited, King Ranch, and Platinum. The Platinum trim ramps up the luxury ambience and puts out a whopping 400 horsepower.
The base version’s standard features include power-folding third-row seats, Bluetooth phone/audio, keyless entry/ignition, four USB ports, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, satellite radio, and a six-speaker audio system. Safety features include a rearview camera, multiple air bags, trailer-sway control, and post-crash alert for emergency response.
The Ford Co-Pilot360 is now standard, offering automatic braking, forward-collision mitigation, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, and lane-keeping assistance.
The 2020 Ford Expedition is easily a top pick for a family SUV with a touch of class and serious horsepower when you’re bringing along even the heaviest trailer.
2020 Lincoln Navigator
Max Towing: 8,700 pounds
The 2020 Lincoln Navigator has a massive size that fits a wealth of passengers and cargo and offers an incredible 8,700-pound tow rating. It also comes with the most refined luxury interior in the SUV category and impressive standard features. It can comfortably accommodate seven or eight passengers with ample room for cargo. The suspension with active shocks offers a quiet and smooth ride with little wind noise.
The Lincoln Navigator is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine that puts out an impressive 450 horsepower with 510 pound-feet of torque. In terms of fuel economy, it has an EPA rating of 16 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway for the 2WD and 16 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway for the Navigator L 2WD and 4WD.
There are three available trims, including the Base, Reserve, and Black Label. Premium amenities that come standard even at the Base level include heated and ventilated front seats, leather upholstery for the first two rows, hands-free power tailgate, adaptive suspension, rain-sensing wipers, power-folding second- and third-row seats, wireless charging pad, power running boards, tri-zone climate control, and power-adjustable steering wheel and pedals.
Safety features include Lincoln Co-Pilot360 functions like pre-collision assist with emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep alert and assist, parking sensors, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, auto high beams, and a rearview camera with washer.
The 2020 Lincoln Navigator is a luxurious SUV with some serious tow rating and a practical design.
2020 Dodge Durango
Max Towing: 8,600 pounds
The 2020 Dodge Durango is a full-size utility SUV in a midsize package. It has a distinctive style with powerful V-8 options. The Dodge Durango combines an impressive towing ability with a spacious third-row seat to deliver a truly remarkable SUV. It offers room for seven passengers and can tow up to 8,600 pounds.
The standard Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 engine puts out 293 horsepower with single exhaust and 295 horsepower with dual exhaust, and 260 pound-feet of torque. Its fuel economy is 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway for the RWD and 18/25 mpg for the AWD. Other engine options include the 5.7-liter V-8 with 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque that powers the R/T trim and has a fuel economy of 14/22 mpg.
The Durango SRT has a 6.4-liter V-8 engine that produces 475 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque with an EPA rating of 13/19 mpg.
Standard features include automatic climate control, heated side mirrors, 18-inch alloy wheels, load-leveling rear shock absorbers, keyless ignition, and a 7-inch touch screen. More upscale features are included as you move higher up the trims. Safety features include adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, forward-collision warning with active braking and lane departure, and lane-keeping assist.
The 2020 Dodge Durango has plenty of room for your family and more than enough power for towing.
2020 Chevrolet Tahoe
Max Towing: 8,600 pounds
The 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe is a full-size SUV with plenty of upscale options and a great resale value. It comes with an optional 420-horsepower V-8 engine and 8,600-pound max towing capacity. The Chevrolet Tahoe offers attractive styling and a spacious interior. It has an ample cargo space of 72.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.
The base version has a 5.3-liter V-8 engine with high-tech fuel injection that enhances power and fuel economy. It puts out 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. It is also equipped with GM’s Active Cylinder Management that imperceptibly shuts off half the cylinders when you’re cruising steadily to preserve fuel. In terms of fuel efficiency, it has an EPA city/highway of 15/22 mpg for the 2WD, 15/21 for the 4WD, 11/17 mpg for the E85 2WD, and 11/16 mpg for the E85 4WD. You also get a six-speed automatic transmission system.
You can get the RST special edition with the LT or Premier trim. If you step up to the Premier, you can get a 6.2-liter V-8 engine that produces 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. It has an EPA city/highway rating of 14/23 mpg with 2WD and 14/22 mpg with 4WD. The Chevrolet Tahoe is available in three trims: LS, LT, and Premier. Standard features include keyless entry, cloth seats, rearview camera, tri-zone automatic climate control, rear parking sensors, and cruise control.
Safety features include an enhanced driver alert package, safety alert seat, low-speed forward collision warning, and front and rear park assist.
The 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe holds its value well and can haul and tow far more weight than crossover SUVs can.
All of these SUVs make great choices when you need a vehicle that can tow a trailer and transport your family in comfort and style at the same time.
