Pickup trucks are often bought to carry out hard labour, but sometimes you need more than the space in the back can offer, and have to hitch up a trailer – you can’t transport a horse in the load bed, after all.
Fortunately, by their very nature pickups are designed to be hard working, and every model on sale has decent towing capacity. But some are better suited to the task than others. The maximum you can legally tow with a truck is 3.5 tonnes (3,500kg) and while many allow you to make the most of this, others fall short of the limit.
We recommend only using manufacturer-approved wiring kits, as low-cost universal wiring will not activate trailer stability programmes when towing.
These are the best pickups in the UK, ranked by overall ability.
>> The Parkers guide to towing
The best pickups for towing UK
7. Ford Ranger Raptor – up to 2.5 tonnes
The Ford Ranger Raptor is, strictly speaking, not a standalone model but it is sufficiently different to the rest of the Ranger line-up that it’s worth of a closer look all on its own. Specially modified for high-speed off-road driving, there are a number of changes here to the chassis and the suspension. And together with the hefty 2.5-tonne kerbweight, this does impact its towing capability.
In short, don’t be fooled by those rough and ready looks – the Raptor isn’t quite the heavy-weight hauler it appears. While it has the most powerful engine available in a Ranger, a 213hp 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel with 500Nm of torque, it’s officially not capable of pulling any more than 2,500kg.
This is perhaps not a surprise when you consider that the Raptor isn’t officially a commercial vehicle at all, a consequence of its 620kg load bed payload capacity. Still, it’s great fun to drive and very comfortable. And 2,500kg is still enough to tow plenty of things.
>> Our full Ford Ranger Raptor review
6. Mitsubishi L200 – up to 3.5 tonnes
When looking at the Mitsubishi L200’s towing ability it is important to look past the headline figures. Officially, every version can tow 3,500kg, but there are caveats to this.
You only get the 3.5t maximum if you have a braked trailer with three axles. Single-axle and twin-axle trailers are limited to 3.1 tonnes (3,100kg). However, you do get some handy kit to help with towing, including Trailer Stability Assist, which comes as standard across the range and helps prevent ‘snaking’. Examples built before 2018 also only have a 3,100kg maximum towing capacity.
Mitsubishi has also now withdrawn from the UK market – though you may still find some new examples of the latest L200 available at dealerships. Aftersales and warranty support continues unaffected, too, thanks to a deal with the IM Group, which also imports and sells the Isuzu D-Max.
>> Our full Mitsubishi L200 review
5. Nissan Navara – up to 3.5 tonnes
The latest Nissan Navara has upped its towing game, as every version is capable of hauling 3,500kg – including the chassis cab models. Previously the 2WD King Cab in Visia trim was capped at 3,035kg, still not bad at all for a two-wheel drive model.
The Navara’s suspension is another oddity, as it has a car-style rear setup, rather than the more rugged leaf springs that you get on most other trucks. This is perhaps one reason for the slightly lower nose weight (the maximum downwards weight that the towbar can take) of 140kg across the range.
Two optional extras could make it even easier to use when towing in tricky off-road situations: a lockable rear differential and a 360-degree camera system that allows you to keep an eye open for big rocks and the like. Sadly, this is another pickup that won’t be continuing on sale in 2022, as Nissan has stopped building it for Europe.
>> Our full Nissan Navara review
4. Isuzu D-Max – up to 3.5 tonnes
Launched in 2021, the latest Isuzu D-Max has consolidated its reputation as a strong all-round towing machine. This is an area where the D-Max has always excelled, even though its 1.9-litre engine is the smallest in the pickup sector (the biggest now being the 2.8-litre Toyota Hilux).
Every 4×4 version of the D-Max is capable of hauling 3.5 tonnes, even the single cab and extended cab models, and all of them have a nose weight of 245kg. The only exception is the two-wheel drive single cab, which has a braked maximum of 2,500kg and has a nose weight of 100kg.
However, the D-Max has comparatively low gross train weight (GTW – the maximum legally allowed weight of vehicle and trailer combined), which means that it doesn’t have a huge amount of payload capacity in the load bed when also towing a 3.5-tonne trailer.
>> Our full Isuzu D-Max review
3. Ford Ranger – up to 3.5 tonnes
The latest Ford Ranger has improved its towing ability, with almost every model now capable of hauling the maximum permitted 3,500kg. Older models were a bit more hit and miss as around a third were only able to take on a trailer weighing up to 2.5 tonnes, depending on the fitted differential gearing ratios (Ford offers buyers a choice here, depending on how the truck is to be used).
Nowadays there are just two exceptions that don’t have that 3.5-tonne ability, and they sit at either end of the Ranger spectrum. If you go for the smallest engine in the range – the 130hp 2.0-litre diesel – then you are limited to 2,500kg. The same is true for the most expensive model, the Ranger Raptor (more on that above).
Ford has some clever towing tech, too, including a trailer sway control system and something called trailer hitch assist, which uses a rear-view camera and lines on the internal display screen to help guide you towards the trailer’s tow hitch.
>> Our full Ford Ranger review
2. Toyota Hilux – 3.5 tonnes
The 2.8-litre Toyota Hilux has the biggest engine of any pickup currently on sale, so it’s probably no surprise that this can tow the full 3,500kg. Reassuringly, however, all the 2.4-litre models can also manage this feat.
This wasn’t always the case, though, as prior to an update in 2018, double-cab Hilux models were restricted to 3.2 tonnes (3,200kg). Single-cab and extra-cab of the current version have always towed 3.5 tonnes, but if you’re buying used make sure you know exactly what you’re getting for your money.
It’s also worth noting that 2.8-litre diesels with the automatic transmission have more torque than manual gearbox alternative – 500Nm vs 420Nm. If it’s heavy weight you’re shifting, having as much torque as possible is always handy.
>> Our full Toyota Hilux review
1. SsangYong Musso – up to 3.5 tonnes plus 1.0-tonne payload
It towing is your absolute priority, the SsangYong Musso with an automatic gearbox is the pickup to have. While manual gearbox models are restricted to 3,200kg, the autos go right to the 3,500kg max while still maintaining the ability to carry over 1,000kg (1.0 tonne) in the load bed. No other pickup on the UK market even gets close to this.
This is possible because standard-length Musso automatics have an impressive GTW of 6,750kg, while the range-topping long-wheelbase (LWB) Musso Rhino auto cranks that up even further to a huge 6,900kg. The Rhino has traditional leaf springs, which are generally considered stronger; the rest of the range uses car-like rear coil springs, as per the Nissan Navara.
And although the bed is small in the standard versions, the LWB variant offers plenty of space here as well. What’s more, with body engineering and interior styling shared with the refined Rexton SUV, the Musso is one of the most civilised four-cylinder pickups on the road, with a huge passenger cabin.
>> Our full SsangYong Musso review
The best used pickups for towing
In addition to the pickups available new listed above, there are a number of recently discontinued pickup models available to buy used that can also do a great job of towing.
Fiat Fullback – up to 3.1 tonnes
The Fiat Fullback isn’t available as a new model in the UK any more, having been cancelled in 2019. It shares many of its constituent parts with the Mitsubishi L200, but not the latest version, so it isn’t able to match that truck’s improved towing abilities.
The Fullback is only capable of towing up to 3.1 tonnes, whereas the most recent L200 can take up to 3.5 tonnes. Like the L200, though, trailer stability assist is standard.
Fiat included a locking rear differential (in addition to the selectable full-time four-wheel drive and lockable centre differential) on the Fullback Cross (pictured), which may make towing trailers on muddy or loose surfaces a little easier.
>> Our full Fiat Fullback review
Volkswagen Amarok – up to 3.1 tonnes
You can’t buy a brand-new pickup with a VW badge on it at the moment – though a new model co-developed with Ford is on the way. And if you’re looking at used versions, it’s worth noting that although the Amarok was available as a 3.0-litre diesel V6 with as much as 258hp, it was never the ultimate towing choice you might expect of that engine.
The maximum you can tow with an Amarok is just 3.1 tonnes, and the entry level Trendline versions with a manual gearbox are limited to towing 3.0 tonnes.
If you know your towing needs will always be on the lighter side then the trailer stability assist that comes as standard and the Amarok’s overall refinement make it a fine choice, albeit expensive. Plus, 4Motion permanent all-wheel drive on most models means there’s no need to switch modes when moving between roads and more slippery surfaces; it’s about as effortless as you can get.
Mercedes-Benz X-Class – 3.5 tonnes
Mercedes-Benz’s entry into the world of pickup trucks was a short-lived one, with the X-Class aiming to bring a little of the brand’s premium reputation to the class but failing to capture buyers’ hearts. Or wallets.
It shares many of its underpinnings with the Nissan Navara. This might not have helped its premium aspirations but it did help with its towing ability – regardless of model, all versions of the X-Class can two 3,500kg.
Mercedes also included comprehensive safety equipment as standard, including trailer stability assist, counting towards the X-Class being one of the best pickups tested by Euro NCAP. UK ride quality is a little on the firm side, but the V6 models are a hoot to drive as well.
>> Our full Mercedes-Benz X-Class review
FAQs: frequently asked questions about pickup towing
How much can I tow?
Anyone can tow a trailer, so long as you have passed your driving test. However, not everyone can tow the same type of trailer.
If you passed your test before 1 January 1997 then you are usually allowed to drive a wider range of trailer/vehicle combinations. You can usually drive vehicle/trailer combo with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of up to 8,250kg.
If you passed your test on or after 1 January 1997 then you are limited to driving a car or van that weighs up to 3,500kg MAM towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM. You can tow a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as the combined MAM of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500kg.
To tow more than this you were required to pass additional ‘car and trailer’ test. However, in September 2021, the government announced a change to towing laws that would see all drivers moved over to the pre-1997 rules. We are still waiting for the exact date this is going to come into force, so don’t get caught out in the meantime. The fine for towing illegally can be as much as £1,000.
Do I need a tachograph when towing with a pickup?
If you are towing for work purposes, and your trailer and vehicle weigh more than 3,500kg combined then you will need a tachograph fitted to record your speed, distance travelled and driving activity. Most brands will offer one as a cost option although some, like the Toyota Hilux and Mitsubishi L200, have offered them as standard.
If there isn’t one fitted then you can buy one and fit it yourself.
Important things to remember when towing:
- > If you are towing then you are subject to lower speed limits – 60mph on motorways and dual carriageways and 50mph on single carriage roads, although many pickups are already subject to these reduced limits because they meet van speed limit rules
- > Your trailer shouldn’t be wider than 2.55 metres and must no longer than 7.0 metres
- > If your trailer is wider than your towing vehicle then you will need to fit supplementary towing mirrors.
- > You must display the same number plate on your trailer as on your towing car. If you tow more than one trailer at a time, fix the plate to the trailer at the back
- > You can be fined up to £2,500 and have three points put on your licence if you are deemed to be using your car in a dangerous condition
Also read:
>> Best pickup trucks in the UK
