Dan Cummins Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Paris

Oct 16, 2020

A black 2019 Ram 3500 is towing a white horse trailer away from a large home.

When looking for used trucks for sale, you may wonder which used trucks are best for towing. Trucks are typically desired for their power, so this is a common concern. Since trucks come in different sizes and have different towing capacities, it really depends on what you’re towing. If you’re a farmer with lots of equipment and livestock, you’ll want something larger. If you’re just looking to haul your ATV back and forth from the track, a smaller option will work.

We have options for these needs and anything in between. Here at Dan Cummins CDJR, we deal outside the box. We are ready to help anyone in the Lexington area find the best truck for all of your towing needs.

If you are looking for used trucks, Ram, Chevy, and Ford have many great truck options if towing and hauling ability are what you’re looking for. In this article, we’re going to show some of our top six used Ram, Chevrolet, and Ford truck options that are powerful and capable of hauling and towing everything from campers and farm equipment to ATVs or whatever else you’ll need to transport.

Ram 3500 Pickup

Let’s start with the Ram 3500. This truck has a 6.7-liter Cummins high-output turbo diesel inline-6 produces 350 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque, making it capable of hauling a whopping 43,000 pounds. That sounds unbelievable, but this info comes straight from Ram. This one is definitely the most powerful option on our list.

Not only is this model great for towing, but it’s well equipped with tech, too. It comes with options for Bluetooth, Navigation, a sunroof, and satellite radio. Overall, it’s a good used truck option if towing is your main concern. Additionally, if you’re looking for older models, the 2012 model is capable of hauling up to 22,750 pounds, which is still desirable. It’s safe to say that the Ram 3500 can haul just about anything.

Ram 1500

The Ram 1500 is still on the market, and for good reasons. It has a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel option and an available eTorque 3.6-liter V6 with an optional eTorque 5.7-liter V8 available. The 2020 models can tow up to 12,560 pounds, and the best part is that in spite of this, the EcoDiesel engine gets up to a combined 26 miles per gallon. Further, the 2012 model is not far behind, towing up to 11,500 pounds.

The Ram 1500 may tow less than the 3500, but its mileage is worth the sacrifice if you’re hauling smaller items. This is thanks to the eTorque engine, which helps the RAM 1500 get better gas mileage because of its Stop and Start technology. While Stop and Start can be a concern for drivers, this truck’s stop and start engine process is smooth and hardly noticeable.

Ram 2500

 

A silver 2019 Ram 2500, which is popular among used trucks for sale in Lexington, KY, is towing a black tiny house past fall foliage.

This regular cab Ram lands the number one spot for heavy-duty trucks. Originating in 2012, there are several 2500 RAM models available. The 2500 comes in regular cab and crew cab options, depending on how many passengers you want to carry around. Additionally, you can either get a 6.4-liter V8 engine or a 6.7-liter diesel V6 engine, delivering either gas or diesel options.

The 2020 model is centered on towing, which is apparent thanks to its abundant cargo space, hidden storage, a towing capacity of up to 17,980 pounds, and the fact that it can haul up to 3,990 in its bed alone. The length of whatever you haul will, of course, depend on whether you get a long bed or a short bed. Both options are available. You can opt-in for fifth-wheel and gooseneck hitch sockets as well. The Ram 2500 handles with ease, and it has a 144-foot panic-stop distance, which is beneficial when hauling large loads.

The 2012 Ram 2500 is a great option as well. It can tow up to 11,350 pounds, which still gets stuff done depending on your end goal. If you’re looking for something cheaper, yet moderately powerful, and you don’t mind less tech, the older 2500 is worth exploring.

Chevrolet Silverado 2500

When it comes to towing, you can’t go wrong with a good old-fashioned Chevrolet truck. The Silverado 2500 is proof of that. They don’t call the base-level trim the “Work Truck” for nothing. This heavy-duty beast can tow up to 14,500 pounds and up to 18,100 pounds with a fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitch. So, if you’re looking to tow a camper or farm equipment, the 2500 Silverado is a good choice.

If you’re less concerned with trailer hauling and more worried about truck bed hauling, definitely opt for the long bed option. This allows you plenty of space, and the bed liner and optional tonneau cover can keep your belongings safe and sound while on the road. These beds are great if you want to haul your ATV or motorcycle.

The 2012 Silverado 2500 can still haul a decent amount, with a towing capacity of up to 10,200 pounds. While that’s not nearly as much as 18,100, it’s still great for that cheaper price tag. If you’re hauling smaller loads, this model is the more affordable route.

Chevrolet Colorado

If you’d like a smaller framed truck, the Chevy Colorado is right for you. Despite its size, the older Colorado models can tow up to 6,000 pounds, with newer ones maxing out at 7,000. So, if you don’t need to haul houseboats or loaded cattle trailers and are instead looking to tow smaller items, the Colorado is a suitable option. Not to mention, it has a sporty appeal and can get up to 25 miles per gallon on the highway.

When properly equipped, the 2012 Chevy Colorado can tow up to 5,500 pounds. This is almost the same as newer models, making it a great deal if this size is ideal for you. You can purchase a used Colorado for under $10,000 but expect to pay more if you’re looking at newer used options.

Ford F-350 Super Duty

A white 2020 Ford F-350 is towing a white enclosed trailer on a highway past hills.

This truck is an absolute tank. This one is ideal if you’re looking to tow the aforementioned loaded cattle trailers or giant houseboats. The F-350 can tow up to 26,500 pounds thanks to its V8 engine and 385 horsepower. It’s a safe option, too, with four-wheel antilock disc brakes that help with traction and traction and stability control to further support road grip and prevent sliding. If this one sounds like your cup of tea, keep in mind that the 6.7-liter turbo diesel engine F-350 is the strongest available. Despite its strength, it can stop from 60 MPG in 138 feet, ensuring safe and powerful performance.

The 2012 model is still pretty tough, too, with a maximum towing capacity of 12,500 pounds. This is, of course, much lower than the 2020 model. However, it’s still plenty strong enough, depending on your intent.

Which One’s Right For Me?

That’s a great question. It’s all just a matter of how much you need to tow, what brand you prefer, and what additional features make it stand out to you. The newer 2020 models are expectedly stronger than the 2012 models, so let’s review their towing capacities to make sure you know which one is the best fit.

On this list, the strongest model is the Ram 3500, which can haul up to 43,000 pounds when properly equipped. This is followed by the Ford F-350 Super Duty’s max 26,500 towing capacity. After that, we’ve got the Silverado’s 18,100-pound max towing capacity, the Ram 2500, which tops out at 17,980, and then the Ram 1500, which maxes out at 12,560 pounds. Finally, the weakest option is the Colorado, which maxes out at 7,000 pounds. If you want something phenomenally powerful, you’ll want to go with the RAM 3500, the Ford F-350, or the Chevy Silverado.

If you’re interested in the 2012 models, the lineup is still the same. The RAM 3500 is the most powerful of both 2020 and 2012 truck models. It just depends on which engine you get and which setup you like best. Come on over to visit us today to find and test drive your next towing machine.