2009-2010 Truck Maximum Tow Rating Guide – Part One
Jason Lancaster | Sep 09, 2009 | Comments 16
Maximum tow ratings are like diet pill claims – they all promise the world, and they all come with one of these – “*” – an asterisk. We’ll explore maximum tow ratings and what they mean in a two-part Maximum Tow Rating Guide. For part one, we’ll give a quick summary of the tow rating claims made by every half-ton manufacturer:
In alphabetical order…
The new 6.2L Silverado has a max tow rating of 10,700 lbs.
2009 Chevy Silverado 1500 – The new 6.2L is a stump puller, with a maximum tow rating of 10,700 lbs. However, the run-of-the-mill 5.3L Chevy (the most popular model), tops out at only 8400 lbs. The vast majority of Chevy trucks are rated to pull 6k to 8k pounds.
Dodge's 2009 HEMI Ram 1500 can tow as much as 9,100 lbs.
2009 Dodge Ram 1500 – Dodge pulls up the rear in terms of max tow rating, but they might be the most responsible when it comes to making outrageous claims. A 5.7 HEMI-equipped Ram can haul 8500-9100 lbs, depending on the cab and the presence of a transfer case.
With the proper equipment, a 2009 F150 can tow 11,300 lbs.
2009 Ford F150 – Ford claims the highest tow rating in it’s class with a max tow rating of 11,300 pounds. The “big” 5.4L motor is required, and most versions of the truck also require either the “heavy duty” or “max” trailer tow package, which adds $2,000 to the price of the vehicle (not including the required 5.4L engine). Skip the extra expense, and the tow ratings (for the exact same engine) can drop as low as 7,700 pounds.
2009 GMC Sierra 1500 – See Chevy Silverado 1500. Did you know the “G” in “GMC” stands for Grabowski? True story. UPDATE: Blog commenter Brian corrected this error – the “Grabowsky” connection is an urban legend. See his comment below.
Nissan's 9,500 lbs max trailer tow rating is no longer class-leading, but it's still respectable.
2009 Nissan Titan – Nissan keeps it simple. There’s only one engine available (a strong 5.6L V8), and with the tow package it’s rated at 9000-9500 pounds, depending on the trim level. Without the tow package, ratings fall as low as 6500 pounds. The tow package will add some cost to the truck – depending on the trim level you start with, max towing will cost an extra $750 to $2800 (keep in mind that includes a BUNCH of other options – it’s a package deal).
With the tow package (standard equipment on most configurations), the Tundra can tow 10,100 to 10,800 lbs.
2010 Toyota Tundra – Some trim levels include a tow package, but almost across the board any 5.7L Tundra tows 9,800 to 10,800 lbs (reg. cab long box). The tow package adds $660 to the cost of a base Doublecab 5.7, and without it the max tow rating is only 8,600 lbs.
So what do all these numbers mean?
If we’re looking for the biggest number, Ford is the winner. If we’re looking at consistently high towing ratings, the Tundra is the winner (no surprise considering the Tundra has the best engine/transmission combo of the bunch). If we’re looking at realistic claims, Dodge seems to be sand-bagging a little (they’ve got a pretty powerful motor).
Still, at the end of the day, none of these numbers are terribly meaningful because every manufacturer has their own testing standards. In part two of our Maximum Tow Rating Guide (next week), we’ll dive into all of the factors that will impact the actual, real-world rating.
Do you see any errors above? Feel free to comment below!
Filed Under: Auto News
These are all 1/2 ton trucks. For this class of vehicle, the limiting factor on the type and weight of the trailer to be towed is usually the is the payload instead of the towing capacity.
None of these trucks are suitable for a 5th wheel trailer due to limited payload capacity.
Now that i have my Tundra my Tacoma has been deemed the offroad monster. Thats being said it will now be a trailer queen and i trailered it the other day just to see how it feel’s behind my truck.
Trailer: Tandem axle 16′ x 78″ Utility trailer
Truck: ’96 Tacoma 4×4 (~5500 lbs)
I tried 2 different ways. One with the truck pulled all the way up to see how it would do with a heavy tounge weight. With the load set up like that i could really feel the weight and the drag when i hit bumps. As far as power goes, with tow haul enabled i could push the throttle and there was no delay in the response, it would still get up and go as expected when pulling a loaded trailer. The second way was to center the truck on the axles to let the trailer support motre of the weight as it’s supposed to be. In this configuration i could barely tell there was a trailer behind me at all. It was a very smooth ride and i was pleased with the way the truck/trailer handled.
SOunds about right Jason. Looking forward to part II.
It might be worth noting that Toyota wants the 4.6L to be sold more than the previous 4.7L to get their CAFE numbers up. If we look at fuel mileage, then the 4.6L Toyota and the 5.3L GM would be comparable in tow ratings and fuel mileage. The new 4.6L starts at 7200lbs towing with the 3.90 gear ratio and caps at 8600 with the 4.10 gears. The 5.7L has 4.30 gears. What’s my point? Its important to put all things equal when comparing trucks’ tow ratings to include differential sizes. Taller diffs will get better gas mileage, but lower tow ratings. GM and Ford seem to offer a little bit of everything for all consumers. Toyota uses the 6 speed tranny to get a one size should fit all approach to the towing dilemma. It seems to be working for Toyota for now, but those who can sacrifice towing capacity for for fuel mileage could be swayed to look elsewhere if they can get better mileage if GM or Ford boost their fuel economy numbers.
It’s all relative to individual needs. I never looked at the towing capacity or payload of any truck because I didn’t plan to tow. I figured anything I WOULD ever tow is going to be so minimal or rare that any 1/2 ton can handle it. And definitely the same for anything loaded in the bed…..Interesting article still. Will part 2 discuss the payload issue?
Any 1/2 ton truck can pull their maximum tow capacity when properly equipped. What matters to me is how the truck handles meaning braking and maneuvering and pickup speed (not a dog off the line). Unless you have the 6.2L GM engine with 6-speed tranny, the best standard configuration 1/2 ton truck on the market who can easily feel at ease pulling maximum load is the 5.7L Tundra due to its superior 6 speed tranny with tow/haul mode and powerful engine. Ford’s frames are probably the best without question, but their 5.4L engine is barely adequate in my book and Dodge’s engine is pretty good, but their coil rear suspension gives up some strength to get a better/softer ride. My .02 cents.
Good comments all – looking forward to reading more when Part II hits next week.
Grabowski, The G in GMC, Who knew? OK, I guess you did.
I was going to make some witty remark about Automakers, Bailouts and pain to tax payers but the name by itself is much funnier without any commentary.
Grabowski
It’s so good I vote for it to be the new word for an Automaker or a dealership screwing you.
“I brought my truck into the dealer and they pulled a Grabowski”
“My warranty was voided because I added a bumper sticker. GRABOWSKI!”
“I can’t get parts for my car because the maker filed Bankrupcy, This is really Grabowskied.”
Grabowski for word of the year.
The following is an excerpt from http://money.cnn.com/2006/05/2...../index.htm
“Urban myth has it that its initials stand for Grabowski Motor Corp., after its founder, Max Grabowski, who started the truckmaker in 1902 and sold it to GM (Research) in 1912. In fact, Grabowski called his company”Rapid Motor Vehicle,” and the GMC name didn’t appear until after GM took over.”
Sorry Jason, but GMC stands for General Motors Corp., not Grabowski Motor Company.
Brian – Great find – I stand corrected. I found this image in the GM wiki that supports the CNN story: http://wiki.gmnext.com/wiki/in.....5-0002.jpg
No problem, Jason. We still love you even though you’re human.
Thanks Brian. I heard that from a very reputable source back in the day…a regional manager for Ford Motor Company. Guess I should have double-checked it, huh? LOL.
Grabowski was a WAY better name
Both are wrong, not grabowski or general, but GMC = Government Motors Corporation. The new brand out there now. It’s amazing here in southern WI after GM closed the Janesville WI plant end of 2008, one of the oldest plants GM ever had and I might add one of the best work force out there also back in the day, that once all these unemployed 1,000’s of workers were without jobs, all GM truck sales, and cars for that matter, took a dive somewhat since a lot of GM employees’ bought GM products new every year or so. Now, GM sales around here are down not only because of high unemployment due to the layoffs and no one having money locally, but the whole bankruptcy thing with GM and the fed. govt. turned people’s heads the other way when considering GM vehicles. GM also in truck sales kicked themselves in the foot by still only allowing the 5.3L V8 with a 4 speed tranny offered in ONLY as an option up to a 3.73, no 4.10 axle ratio allowed, and if you got the new 5.3L V8 with 6 speed tranny, ONLY offered in the whimpy 3.42 rear axle ratio which is basically useless and a dog. My choice only if GM every gets with the times, is a 5.3L V8, 6 speed tranny with a 4.10 rear axle ratio, crew cab 1/2 ton 4wd with a not available 6 1/2′ bed vs. useless 5’10” bed in 1/2 ton crew cab configuration.
Actually, my ideal truck is still the Tundra double cab until Toyota also gets with the times and offers, which is very easy to do, a Tundra crew cab with a 6 1/2′ bed instead of the too small 5’6″ bed. It would still fit in my 24′ deep garage, but just barely adding an extra 10-12″ in length, but that would be the ultimate sweet ride of all 1/2 ton trucks both in comfort, power, and looks.
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