There are plenty of reasons to choose a truck over another type of vehicle. Often those reasons revolve around capabilities. The truck has been well-bred to be that dependable workhorse, capable of keeping up with the daily grind, especially if that daily grind involves towing. From jet-ski to fifth-wheel, there is a truck out there ready to handle whatever comes its way. The trick is knowing what exactly you will be sending its way. That’s why before looking for used trucks for sale in Castroville, TX you should first figure out what is essential to accomplish all your towing needs.
The first question to ask yourself is whether you plan to tow for work, leisure, or a bit of both. Your needs will vary depending on how taxing your tow load will be. If you intend to tow a large fifth-wheel trailer or camper, you may need to consider a heavy-duty truck. However, if the heaviest thing you plan to tow is a small fishing boat or motorcycle trailer, you could probably get away with a light-duty truck.
Another thing to consider is how often you intend to tow. Will you be hitching up every day, or just every once in a while? If it is every day, considering a truck with towing assistance features, such as hitch guidance, could make your daily life much easier. If you only plan to hitch up on the rare occasions you can sneak away to the lake, restricting yourself to a truck with tech may not be worth the extra cost.
In the end, there are four things to consider when looking for a used truck that can tow:
- Do you need a heavy-duty truck or only a light-duty one?
- Do you need to shell out the extra cash for a diesel, or will a gas engine suffice?
- Do you need a tech-heavy truck, or will one with a simple tow hitch do?
- Will you need the option of four-wheel drive, or will two-wheel drive do the job?
Once you have those specifics figured out, you will be ready to move on to finding the ideal used truck for you and your towing needs. One of the fantastic things about shopping for a used truck is that many older trucks have a lot of the same features of their newer counterparts, but with a lower price tag. Plus, the number of pre-owned trucks greatly outweighs the number of new trucks being made each year. That’s why you will find you have a much wider selection when choosing used. So, without further ado, here are five of the top used trucks to fit an array of towing needs.
2015 Chevy Silverado 1500 Four-Wheel Drive LTZ Z71
The Chevy Silverado 1500 is a light-duty truck, equipped with a 5.3-liter V8 engine which produces 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. The max towing capacity of this truck is 9,100 pounds, which is more than plenty for towing recreational equipment like smaller fishing boats, pontoon boats, jet-skis and more. This truck is available as either a two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive model, but when used for anything that may be docked or towed on soft or slippery terrain, four-wheel drive is ideal.
The Chevy Silverado comes with a rear view camera that also features guidance lines. These make it easier to line up when backing up to a trailer. The Silverado is also equipped with StabiliTrak, which is a stability control system that works with trailer sway control and hill start assist. Trailer sway control helps maintain control when driving on uneven road surfaces or when winds become unpredictable. Hill start assist automatically applies the brakes when starting on an incline, preventing rollback, and releases them when you apply throttle.
By including the Z71 package, upgraded shocks are added, as well as underbody protection cover up vulnerable undercarriage components. The Z71 package also adds some cosmetic features, and equips the truck with Hill Descent Control, which aids in downhill driving. The combination of tech and towing capacity make this particular truck a great option for recreational towing or light-duty work.
2017 Ford F-150 King Ranch
Not everyone who wants to tow needs a mammoth sized truck. Unless you intend on hauling Godzilla, it might be a good idea to consider a smaller truck with a tow rating that better fits your needs. Take for instance, the Ford F-150, a truck with a towing capacity of up to 7,000 pounds. Thanks to its smaller size, the F-150 is easier to maneuver, will typically be better on gas mileage then those larger beasts, and can most likely be found at a lower price tag.
If a maximum rating of 7,000 pounds is more than enough to meet your towing needs, then why opt for a truck that exceeds your needs? Depending on the trim and package, the Ford F-150 offers everything you could need for small duty towing needs. Included Trailer Sway Control helps keep your vehicle and attached trailer riding straight, while an available Integrated Trailer Brake Controller offers on-demand braking control to make towing more convenient and safer.
The Ford F-150 King Ranch is equipped with a 5.0-liter V8 that pumps out 385 horsepower and 387 lb-ft of torque. Tow/Haul Mode optimizes the power output from the V8, providing improved control and stability. An available Dynamic Hitch Assist Back-Up Camera further improves your towing game by making hitching up easy and convenient so you can handle it all on your own.
2019 Ram 1500
The 2019 Ram 1500 is another great option for those who don’t need an outrageous tow rating, but still want enough to get the job done. Equipped with a 5.7-liter V8 HEMI, the Ram 1500 produces an impressive 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, making it easy to tow up to 8,510 pounds. This is a fantastic middle of the road option that packs a punch without overdoing it.
Like many of the other trucks on this list, the Ram includes Trailer Sway Control for extra stability and safety when the road gets rough. Trailer Sway Control helps keep whatever you are towing in line, despite heavy winds or bumpy, uneven roads. The Ram also offers an available Back-Up Camera to make it easier to line up with your trailer, minimizing the need for an extra set of eyes.
2018 Chevy Silverado 2500HD/3500HD
Sometimes a job requires a bit more power, which is where a heavy-duty truck like the Chevy Silverado 2500HD comes in. There are many great years of the Silverado, so you really can’t go wrong. With the option to choose a 3500HD with even mightier capabilities, the Silverado is pretty customizable. The 2018 Silverado 2500HD is equipped with a 6.0-liter V8 that produces 360 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque, the result of which is 13,000 pounds of towing capability. It is paired with a six-speed transmission that offers Tow/Haul Mode, which provides the best combination of torque and horsepower for towing.
There is also the option of a Duramax 6.6-liter V8 Turbo-Diesel engine, which produces an eye-popping 445 horsepower and 910 lb-ft of torque. The Turbo-Diesel is paired with the impressive Allison transmission for that extra kick you might need. An integrated Trailer Brake Controller puts control right at your fingertips, and a Rear Vision Camera provides an extra set of eyes when reversing and hitching.
As a heavy-duty truck, both the 2500HD and 3500HD are more suited for those who need that extra boost in capabilities. Heavy-duty typically means improved towing and hauling with a sacrifice in gas mileage and maneuverability. Determining your needs prior to truck shopping will make sure you get what you need, without any unnecessary sacrifices.
2017 Ford F-250 Super Duty
Another heavy hitter in this towing truck line-up is the Ford Super Duty. Like The Silverado, the Ford Super Duty has many great options to choose from. The 2017 specifically offers 12,300 pounds of towing potential, thanks to a powerful 6.2-liter V8 paired with a TorqShift-G six-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift. This duo pumps out 385 horses and 430 lb-ft of torque for plenty of power.
The Ford Super Duty comes equipped with Trailer Sway Control and an Integrated Brake Controller for improved confidence when towing and hauling. There is also an included back-up camera, which does not offer hitch guidance but still improves visibility when hitching. This is another great heavy-duty option, and as with many used options, you get the same great features and functions of a new vehicle but at a fraction of the cost.
Get Used to Towing the Easy Way
Towing technology has come a long way over the last twenty or so years. The integration of backup cameras, safety and control features, and specialized drive modes make towing, hitching, and hauling a breeze. Whether you are towing for business, for fun, or doing a little of both, there is a truck out there designed for your exact needs. The key is first deciding how you intend on using your truck. Once you have that figured out, it is just a few simple steps to finding your ideal used truck that will make towing simple, safe, and possibly even a bit of fun.
