Large-scale pickup trucks have increased towing capacity, aiming for a new benchmark of 35,000 pounds, compared to their traditional 14,000-pound towing limit.
In the realm of heavy-duty trucks, Ford Super Duty models have emerged as a game-changer, enabling trailer manufacturers to develop larger fifth-wheel and gooseneck campers, flatbeds, car haulers, and horse trailers. This impressive towing capacity is a result of 25 years of technological advancements and a shift in customer needs.
Brian Rathsburg, Ford Super Duty's product and brand marketing manager, recently stated that customers have been asking for more capability from their heavy-duty trucks. And Ford has delivered, with the Super Duty able to tow nearly anything without the need to upgrade to vehicle classes that may exceed needs. In fact, when properly equipped, the Ford Super Duty can tow an impressive 40,000 pounds.
The significant increase in towing capacity over the past 25 years is primarily due to improvements in engine technology, drivetrain design, suspension, and hitching systems. Modern engines, such as the 2025 Ram Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six, produce substantially higher power and torque than older engines like the HEMI V8 they replaced. For example, the Hurricane engine offers up to 38.5% more power and 27.2% more torque, enabling it to tow up to 11,550 pounds, which is best in class.
Advanced turbocharging and engineering technologies have also played a significant role. Technologies like twin-turbo setups and improved materials enhance performance and fuel efficiency, allowing trucks to handle heavier trailers without excessive fuel consumption or engine strain.
Dually pickups feature rear axles capable of handling well over 9,000 pounds, often paired with specialized hitches such as gooseneck or fifth-wheel mounts that provide better load distribution and towing stability. Improved suspension and stability controls also contribute to safe handling under heavy towing loads. Enhanced cooling for engines and transmissions helps trucks sustain heavy towing demands without overheating or premature wear, contributing to higher capacity and reliability.
These technological advancements have collectively enhanced power output, torque, structural strength, and towing control, meaning that today’s dually pickups are engineered to safely tow significantly heavier loads than models from 25 years ago. This meets demands from commercial hotshot trucking, heavy machinery hauling, and luxury towing markets.
Ram spokesperson Nick Cappa advises buying a truck with room to grow your toy and equipment fiefdom. Semi-trucks, on the other hand, do not offer the same maneuverability as pickups, making it difficult to navigate crowded car lots and low-clearance areas. Chevrolet spokesperson Shad Balch stated that current HD Chevy trucks can tow and haul more than ever, giving drivers higher confidence while towing. The Ram 3500 can tow 36,610 pounds, and the Chevrolet Silverado 3500 can tow up to 36,000 pounds.
In the early 21st century, heavy-duty pickups from Detroit's Big Three could tow just above 14,000 pounds. Today, customers are willing to spend up to and even above $100,000 on a pickup with the capability to tow nearly anything. This shift in customer needs is also a key factor in the increased towing capacity of heavy-duty pickups.
Customers for heavy-duty trucks want the confidence to tow heavy trailers, and this need is reflected in the target customer for these heavy-duty pickups. Nowadays, 40-foot campers with king-size beds and two AC units on the roof are common, with some longer models touting triple axles to support nearly 20,000 pounds. Hot-shot truckers are loading multiple cars on long gooseneck trailers, with the trailers alone weighing more than 8,000 pounds. The weight of a hot-shot trucker's load, including vehicles on the trailer, can be up to 25,000 pounds or more.
In conclusion, the evolution of engine power, drivetrain robustness, tow hitch technology, and vehicle stability systems has driven the marked increase in dually pickup towing capacity over the last quarter-century. This has been a response to both technological advancements and a change in target customer needs.
- The Ford Super Duty's impressive towing capacity, enabled by 25 years of technological advancements, caters to customers seeking more capability from their heavy-duty trucks, allowing them to tow nearly anything without the need to upgrade to higher vehicle classes.
- Advanced technologies, such as twin-turbo engines and improved materials, have significantly boosted performance and fuel efficiency in heavy-duty trucks, enabling them to handle heavier trailers without excessive consumption or engine strain.
- In today's market, customers are willing to invest up to and even above $100,000 in a heavy-duty pickup with the capacity to tow nearly anything, reflecting a change in customer needs towards confidence in towed heavy trailers.
- The improved suspension, stability controls, and cooling systems in modern dually pickups contribute to safe handling under heavy towing loads, making them ideal for commercial hotshot trucking, heavy machinery hauling, luxury towing markets, and large recreational vehicle towing.
- Product reviews highlight the significance of car maintenance in handling the increased towing capacity of heavy-duty pickups, ensuring vehicles remain reliable and capable in various lifestyle and automotive scenarios, such as car shopping and car hauling.
