Do you know what truck can tow 30,000 lbs? this is one of the questions our readers ask a lot. Well, we´ve got you covered.
Whether you need extra power to haul a large boat to the marina or local lake or tow a heavily loaded trailer to a job site, there are plenty of large trucks on the market that are up for the task.
They’re all sure to have one thing in common and that is large and powerful gas or diesel engines that produce a lot of horse-power to accommodate hauling huge loads.
So, what truck can tow 30,000 lbs? below you can find a list of trucks that can tow 30,000 lbs:
- Ford F-350 Super Duty
- RAM 3500
- Ford F-450 Super Duty
- Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Regular
- GMC’s Sierra HD Crew Cab (Long Bed)
In this article, we’ll look at what trucks can tow 30,000 lbs and a few other important tips you’ll need to know before buying a heavy-duty truck that’s capable of towing serious loads.
Table of Contents
Gross Combined Weight Rating Matters
Gross Combined Weight Rating (often referred to as GCWR for short) is determined by the vehicle manufacturer and is the maximum allowable weight of both the loaded tow vehicle and the trailer.
It’s an important factor when considering any truck that can tow over 30,000 lbs, as this will allow for side-by-side comparisons of heavy-duty trucks and their maximum tow capacity that is considered safe for the vehicle.
Read also: How to Measure Towing Capacity, GVWR, GCWR, Truck, Trailer
Commercial Drivers License – Do I Need One To Tow 30,000 lbs?
Driving a truck with a large trailer or high towing capacity requires a higher level of awareness, skill, and experience.
For this reason, any truck that has a capacity to tow more than 26,001 lbs (GCWR) requires a Commercial Driver’s License (or CDL for short).
Obtaining a CDL requires applicants to undergo and pass stringent tests that require special skills and knowledge. It is illegal to hold a CDL for more than one state, and your CDL must be from your home state only.
Read also: What’s The Longest Trailer You Can Pull Without A CDL? (Explained)
Best Trucks For Towing Over 30,000 lbs
We’ve compiled this list to showcase the best trucks capable of towing large loads over 30,000 lbs. Most of these trucks are classed as ‘Heavy-duty’.
They come in a wide range of makes, models, and specifications: from pick-up trucks with regular cabs, crew cabs, to 4×2 and 4×4 drivetrains.
Read also: Trailer Wiring Diagrams:19 Tips Towing Electrical Wiring Installation
Ford F-350 Super Duty
Anyone who is well versed in the world of pick-up trucks will not be surprised to see this vehicle make the list. For years the F-350 has been the go-to pick-up truck with a reputation for huge horsepower, strength, and capability to get the job done.
The F-350’s maximum conventional towing capacity is 24,200 pounds, however, set up the F-350 for fifth-wheel towing and it’ll pull 32,500 pounds.
That’s a lot of hauling capacity to pull a recreational or commercially oriented trailer.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Year/Model | 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty |
| Engine Type | Turbo-Diesel |
| Engine Size | 6.7L Power Stroke turbodiesel engine |
| Horsepower | 475 hp @ 2600 rpm |
| Torque | 1050 lb-ft of torque @ 1600 rpm |
| Body Shape | Crew-cab |
| Towing Capacity (Maximum) | 32,500 lbs |
Read also: What Is The Camper Package On Ford F350? Facts You Should Know
RAM 3500
Featuring impressive payload and towing capacity, the RAM 3500 range of heavy trucks is a great option when you’re needing to tow large recreational or commercial trailers.
They offer a huge turbo-diesel engine, dual-rear wheels, and a wealth of awesome tech features within the cab.
The RAM 3500 can be equipped with a fifth wheel for towing which greatly boosts its ability to tow larger trailers.
The RAM 3500 with the 6.7 Cummins turbo-diesel engine and fifth-wheel towing feature allows for a towing capacity of up to 31,210 lbs.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Year/Model | 2021 RAM 3500 |
| Engine Type | Turbo-Diesel |
| Engine Size | 6.7L Cummins turbo-diesel |
| Horsepower | 420 hp |
| Torque | 1075 lb |
| Body Shape | Regular cab |
| Towing Capacity (Maximum) | 31,210 lbs |
Ford F-450 Super Duty
Ford is yet again pushing the upper towing payload into higher and higher territory, and the 2020 model F-450 has reached new levels.
It boasts a 6.7 liter Power Stroke V8 Turbo-diesel engine producing 475hp that is capable of towing a trailer up to 34,600 lbs.
If you’re looking for a large truck that’s capable of towing the biggest loads, while still having the level of comfort offered by a pick-up, then the Ford F-450 will tick all the boxes.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Year/Model | 2020 Ford F-450 |
| Engine Type | Turbo-Diesel |
| Engine Size | 6.7L Power Stroke® V8 Turbo Diesel |
| Horsepower | 475hp @ 2,600 rpm |
| Torque | 1,050 @ 1,600 rpm |
| Body Shape | Super Duty Single cab |
| Towing Capacity (Maximum) | 34,600 lbs |
Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD Regular Cab
For the first time in many years, Chevrolet entered the towing capacity wars in 2020 with its powerful Silverado 3500HD.
This beast uses a 6.6 liter Duramax turbo-diesel engine to produce 445 horsepower, making this truck capable of towing up to 35,500 lbs.
This was enough to allow the Silverado to be the truck with the largest towing capacity on the market for over a year!
One of the best things about the Silverado is the regular cab option is the most affordable. This truck comes as the entry-level model with regular cab and trim options, and the 4 x 2 drivetrain offers the most towing capacity, maxing out at 35,500 lbs.
Higher trim models and double cab/crew cab models have a slightly reduced towing capacity, offering 31,500 and 31,400 lbs respectively.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Year/Model | 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD |
| Engine Type | Turbo-Diesel |
| Engine Size | 6.6 liter Duramax Diesel |
| Horsepower | 445 hp @ 2800 rpm |
| Torque | 1234 @ 1600 rpm |
| Body Shape | Regular cab |
| Towing Capacity (Maximum) | 35,500 lbs |
Read also: Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Brake Controller: 9 Helpful Tips (explained)
GMC’s Sierra HD Crew Cab (Long Bed)
For those looking for ultimate space and comfort and a long bed for carrying larger payloads, then you can’t go past the GMC Sierra HD! It has a crew cab long bed that allows for a payload of up to 7,442 lbs.
The 2020 model of the truck has been completely redesigned but still retains the ever-reliable 6.6L Duramax diesel engine that´s also used in the Chevrolet Silverado.
The GMC Sierra shares a similar towing capacity as the Silverado: up to 31,400 lbs for the 4×2 drive train and 31,180 lbs for the 4×4 drivetrain, making either model more than capable of towing extreme trailers and payloads with the assistance of the fifth wheel towing feature.
If comfort and heavy-duty performance are your priority, then the Denali trim option is the ultimate, adding off-road Rancho shocks, extensive underbody skid plating, black-and-tan premium interior upholstery, and the all-new Allison 10-speed automatic transmission that makes towing even enormous trailers a breeze.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Year/Model | 2020 GMC Sierra HD Crew Cab (Long Bed) |
| Engine Type | Turbo-Diesel |
| Engine Size | Duramax 6.6-liter turbo-diesel V-8 |
| Horsepower | 445 hp |
| Torque | 910 lbs |
| Body Shape | Crew cab (long Bed) |
| Towing Capacity (Maximum) | 35,500 lbs |
Final Thoughts
No matter if you’re looking for a sturdy and reliable workhorse pick-up truck or a feature-packed high-spec model that’s adorned with all the modern technical advancements, our list of heavy-duty trucks all have one thing in common: they can carry massive payloads and also tow huge loads, all rated over 30,000 lbs when using a fifth-wheel towing feature.
Most models come with a good range of features and specifications as standard, although some may want to splurge out and get the top model.
Choosing the right truck is also about comfort, and we’ve provided a range of options, from crew cab options that can carry the work crew to job sites, and 4×4 drivetrains that are ideal for off-road use.
Whichever truck you choose from this list, you’ll be king of the road as all can comfortably tow well over 30,000 lbs, making them ideal for towing your recreational or commercially oriented trailer.
References
https://www.gmc.com/gmc-life/trucks/
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