There’s a simple reason automakers are pulling out all the stops to come up with pickups able to pull ever-bigger loads and caravans: consumers want them. Of course, everything has its limits. And at the edge of those limits, some camping extremists will want to haul immense houses on wheels with extra-large commercial trucks. But that’s not what we’re looking at here. The trucks on our Top 10 are Class 1 pickups considered to be touring models. Here we go!
1. Ford F-150
Don’t pretend to be surprised to find the super-popular F-150 from Ford at the top of this list. It is the most sought-after model by those looking to pull trailers and caravans for their summer holidays. Available in multiple versions with a number of different engines to choose from, the rear-wheel drive F-150 with the well-regarded 3.5L EcoBoost V6 plus the 10-speed automatic transmission has a pulling capacity of 13,200 lbs – the most in its class. Even the F-150’s new turbo-diesel V6 can’t match that! (It pulls 11,400 lbs). Meanwhile, for the moment, the F-150 is the only pickup to offer the Trailer Back-up Assist system, which automatically directs the vehicle when backing it up with a trailer. If you want more pulling power from an F-Series, you have to look at the Ford Super Dutys (F-250, F-350 and F-450), but those fall into the commercial truck category. As for the smaller, reborn Ranger, it won’t be available for another few months, and we’ll know only then just what kind of towing capacity it brings with it.
| Photo: Ford