The Best Towing SUV in 2022. SUVs have taken over the automobile market in the United States, and it’s easy to see why. SUVs frequently give the everyday room and practicality required for most events while also adding a touch of luxury to the equation. Remember that the “U” in SUV stands for “utility,” which is where towing capabilities comes into play.
In terms of daily drivability and family transportation, SUVs certainly outperform heavy pickup trucks. Despite the popular belief that trucks are superior in terms of towing capability, there are a number of good SUV options that can tow a considerable weight.
In this guide, we’ll go through some of the best current SUVs for towing and explain why they’re the better pick. We’ll also go over some of the most crucial factors to consider when buying a towing-capable SUV.
Understanding Towing Capabilities – The Best SUV for Towing
When a manufacturer determines a vehicle’s towing capacity, a variety of factors are taken into account. Towing capacity is highly influenced by a vehicle’s torque, power-to-weight ratio, suspension configuration, and drivetrain configuration. A few simple calculations can also be used to calculate a vehicle’s towing and payload capabilities.
SUVs with more torque tend to be the best for towing, as significant torque is required to move a heavy load from a stop. Once the truck is underway, large horsepower ratings are important for towing, but high torque is more important at first.
It is also critical for an SUV to have suspension components that can withstand the additional forces imposed to them by a large load. When towing a big weight from the rear, your SUV’s rear suspension manages not just the load of the object being towed, but also the vehicle itself. As a result, SUVs with stronger suspension perform better.
The drivetrain configuration is another major component in towing capability. 4-Wheel-Drive or All-Wheel-Drive vehicles are excellent for towing, especially in bad weather. It all comes down to traction. An all-wheel-drive SUV can grip the road more effectively because power is transmitted to all four wheels.
SUV Towing Capacity vs. Payload
It’s a frequent misperception that a vehicle’s payload rating and towing capacity rating are interchangeable. While the premise is the same, they are calculated and mean different things.
Simply explained, an SUV’s payload is the amount of weight that can be added to the vehicle in addition to its curb (or empty) weight. This includes passengers and everything else that will fit in the trunk. The towing capacity of an SUV is the amount of weight it can draw. In general, an SUV’s towing capacity exceeds its payload since weight is redistributed outside of the vehicle when towing a trailer.
Payload is a significant consideration while towing because the tongue weight of a trailer consumes some of an SUV’s payload. This occurred because an attached trailer pushed down on a vehicle’s rear tow hitch, which typically equated to 10-15% of the trailer’s weight.
To calculate an SUV’s payload and towing capability, apply the following basic equations:
SUV Payload Estimation:
SUV Payload = SUV Curb Weight – Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
The gross vehicle weight rating of any SUV should be listed in the owner’s manual. That is just the maximum weight that the vehicle can support internally. A vehicle’s curb (or empty) weight, like its GVWR, should be documented by the manufacturer. Simply subtract the vehicle’s curb weight from the vehicle’s gross vehicle weight rating to determine the payload rating of an SUV.
Calculate SUV Towing Capacity:
SUV Towing Capacity = Combined Gross Vehicle Weight Rating – SUV Curb Weight
The gross combined vehicle weight rating of an SUV is the maximum weight of a fully loaded SUV plus the weight of an attached trailer or towed object. This is another piece of information that the manufacturer should include in the user handbook. To determine an SUV’s towing capacity, subtract the vehicle’s curb weight from its GCVWR.
Considerations for Choosing the Best SUV for Towing
Aside from merely learning how payload and towing capacity ratings are calculated, there are a few other factors to consider before selecting the ideal SUV for your specific towing requirements.
Trailer Mass
Before making a purchasing decision, it is critical to know the weight of the trailer (completely loaded) or object that you intend to tow. If the trailer or item you’re towing is heavier than your vehicle’s towing capability rating, you risk damaging your engine, transmission, frame, and tires.
Towing Tires That Work
Many individuals do not consider the additional strain that hauling places on an SUV’s tires. While tires normally have a high towing tolerance, it is critical to ensure that they are adequate to the task. Most passenger sedans and certain small SUVs come standard with passenger tires, which are frequently denoted as (P). Passenger tires are designed for comfort, however they are not suitable for carrying heavy weights.
Towing with an SUV requires light truck tires, abbreviated as (LT) tires. Light truck tires often have bigger sidewalls that bend more over uneven surfaces. They also have a larger contact patch with the surface, providing more traction.
Trailer tires work a little differently. To avoid tire-related trailer wobble, trailer tires should have solid sidewalls. This is the polar opposite of the features you’ll desire from your SUV’s tires when towing.
Wheelbase of an SUV
The wheelbase of an SUV also has a significant impact on what it can tow. The larger / longer the towed item may be, the longer the vehicle’s wheelbase. According to Autoblog.com, the first 110 inches of wheelbase allow you to haul a 20-foot trailer without risking the front of the SUV lifting off the ground. Every 4 inches added to the baseline 110 inches results in an extra foot of trailer length.
A Good Towing Package
It is critical to conduct thorough research on the specific type of SUV that you are interested in, paying close attention to whether the SUV in question comes factory equipped with the necessary towing package for your needs. As previously said, horsepower and torque ratings are important in towing, so make sure that the vehicle you purchase has a capable drivetrain.
Furthermore, some models will conceal a towing package as an optional extra, implying that it may not come standard with a tow hitch. It may cost more in the long run to add one after the fact, so make sure your selected SUV comes with one.
Picks for the Best SUVs for Towing
Obviously, there’s a lot more to buying a new SUV than its capacity to haul a large load. As a result, subjectivity plays a significant role in determining which SUV checks the most boxes for you.
All of the SUVs mentioned below can tow more than 7,000 pounds. That is approximately the weight of a fully loaded 20-foot trailer. They are all quite capable towing vehicles, but their MSRPs differ and their emphasis is on luxury and interior quality. If you are thinking about buying one of the vehicles on our list, do some more research to ensure that it is good for you in other ways as well.
1) The best SUV for towing is the 2022 Jeep Wagoneer.
10,000 lb towing capacity
Weight at the curb: 5,960 – 6,230 lbs.
1,440 – 1,500 lbs payload
MSRP: $58,995
The wheelbase is 123″.
The 2022 Jeep Wagoneer is at the top of the list of new SUVs with the highest towing capacity. Jeep is a brand that need no introduction. Their bread and butter has always been off-road SUVs. The vintage Jeep Wagoneer has taken on a new, more luxury shape in recent years. It can tow up to 10,000 pounds.
The Wagoneer’s exceptional towing capacity is mostly due to its 3.0L Twin-Turbo Huricane inline-6 engine, which generates 510 horsepower and, more significantly for towing, 500 lb-ft of torque. The Wagoneer’s usage of forced induction makes torque delivery considerably more strong, which is ideal for towing.
The Wagoneer not only has the power to tow a hefty load, but it also has an innovative Quadra-Drive II 4X4 system that sends power to all four wheels. Jeep’s Quadra-Drive system also includes a rear limited-slip differential, which further improves traction.
2) The 2022 Nissan Armada is the second best SUV for towing.
8500 pound towing capacity
Weight at the curb: 5,650 – 6,034 lbs.
Payload: 1466–1650 lbs.
MSRP: $49,150
The wheelbase is 121.1″.
The 2022 Nissan Armada comes in second place on our ranking as the finest SUV for towing. Despite having a little lower towing capacity than the Jeep Wagoneer, the Armada will still get the job done in most circumstances. It is also much less expensive than the Jeep.
The 2022 Armada was clearly developed with towing in mind, as seen by a multitude of towing-related features. Trailer sway control monitors, a specific tow-haul drive mode, a dash-mounted trailer brake controller, and body-on-frame construction for increased hauling rigidity are among the notable changes.
An sophisticated around-view monitor is also included with the Armada. This provides direct visual access to a tow hitch-focused rear-mounted camera. This makes it simple to match the rear tow hitch with a trailer.
Another major factor in the Armada’s towing capability is its auto-leveling suspension. The Armada’s auto-leveling air suspension not only makes regular driving more comfortable, but it also helps to absorb road imperfections when towing a high load.
3) 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe
Towing capacity ranges from 7,600 to 8,400 pounds.
Weight at the curb: 5,473 – 5,845 lbs.
1,655 – 1,927 pounds payload
MSRP: $50,500
The wheelbase is 120.9 inches.
The Chevrolet Tahoe has been a mainstay in GM’s lineup for decades. Because of its tough build and long wheelbase, it has always been regarded as a workhorse SUV. The Tahoe 2022 is no exception. It is an excellent towing SUV, especially when fitted with the 5.3L V8 L84 engine.
While the 5.3L L84 V8 is not the most powerful engine option in the 2022 Chevy Tahoe, it offers the finest towing engine dynamics. This is owing to the enormous low-end torque and mid-range horsepower of the L84. The 2022 Tahoe is now available with both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. Surprisingly, Chevrolet argues that the 2WD setup is superior for hauling.
Chevrolet offers a Max Trailering Package for the 2022 Tahoe that contains technologies that make hauling easier. The Max Trailering Package contains an integrated trailer brake controller, a hitch guiding system with a tow hitch-facing camera, and a cooling radiator that has been upgraded.
4) Toyota Sequoia 2021
Towing capacity: 7,000-7,400 pounds
Weight at the curb: 5,730 – 6,000 lbs.
1300-1370 pounds payload
MSRP: $50,500
The wheelbase is 122″.
Toyota isn’t often associated with strong towing capabilities. The 2022 Sequoia, on the other hand, is a suitable choice for daily driving and towing medium load weights. The Sequoia’s towing capacity, like that of many other cars on this list, is determined by trim level. The towing capability of the SR5, TRD Sport, and Limited versions is 7,400 lbs.
Every new Toyota Sequoia includes a hitch receiver and wiring harness with a 4/7-pin connector as standard equipment. The Sequoia also has a dedicated tow/haul driving mode that improves stability and hauling capabilities.
The 2022 Toyota Sequoia is powered by a 5.7L i-Force DOHC 32-Valve V8 with 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque. Torque, as previously established, is more significant than horsepower in towing situations. The Sequoia has one of the lowest horsepower figures on this list, but that’s irrelevant. The 401 lb-ft of torque produced by the V8 is more than enough to move the Sequoia and towing load under its own weight.
Related : The Honda J30 Engine Manual
Summary of the Best SUVs for Towing
Despite their primary concentration on family transportation and comfortable daily driving, SUVs can also be a viable alternative for towing heavy goods. When it comes to hauling huge cargo and large trailers, however, it is critical to consider a few vital factors. Understanding how a big load affects an SUV’s suspension, tires, and chassis is critical when selecting an SUV for towing purposes.
In general, an SUV with a high torque output, all-wheel or 4-wheel drive, and a longer wheelbase is the best option for towing. All of these elements have a direct impact on an SUV’s towing capacity. To ensure that your chosen SUV fits all of your requirements, pay special attention to the manufacturer’s towing guidelines.
The 2022 Jeep Wagoneer is our top option for the best SUV for towing because it has the biggest towing capacity, the most towing-related amenities, and a high level of daily driving luxury.
