Utes with the Most Towing Capacity

Utes with the Most Towing Capacity

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Utes have always been among the most popular tow vehicles. Towing and doing heavy jobs is too tough for ordinary cars, they are identifiably strong, durable and capable of hauling heavy equipment even on rough and bumpy roads.

More information on utes:

The Fastest Utes From 0 to 100 KMPH
The Best Utes in Australia Today
Utes: Australia’s Modern Day Workhorse


Their versatility and reliability also attract the interest of many. In Australia where there are plenty of outback and dirt roads to explore and where tradies are high-fiving and whooping aplenty, utes are essential companions.

The strong demand for these workhorses has led car manufacturers to build many different variations. Several models stand out for their impressive towing capacity or the maximum weight a vehicle can haul without causing damage to the engine and any other car parts. Plenty of ute buyers put significant importance to this feature, especially business owners, tradies and outbackers who need to haul stuff time and again.

If you’re one of the many Aussies who are planning to take out a truck loan or buying one mainly for towing purposes, here’s a rundown of the latest variants that can effortlessly pull caravans, horseboxes, and trailers.

Graph of Utes with the Most Towing Capacity

Utes with the Highest Towing Capacity


2020 Ford F-Series Super Duty (F-250/F-350/F-450) | 16.78 tonnes

Ford’s heavy-duty utes are offered in three versions: F-250, F-350, and F-450. Most of the improvements for 2020 are found under the hood such as the new 7.3-litre gasoline V8 and the updated 6.7-litre Power Stroke diesel V8 that comes with an all-new fuel system double-axle variable-geometry turbocharger among many other engine part improvements. MY2020 also comes with new front-end accessories, trailer technology, and massaging seats.

Ford Super Duty vehicles are available in Australia via car importer, converter, and retailer companies like Performax International.

Ford F-450 Super DutySource: ford.com


Starting price: $71,656 (AUD)
Maximum Conventional Towing: 10.98 tonnes
Maximum 5th Wheel Towing: 14.74 tonnes
Maximum Gooseneck Towing: 16.78 tonnes
Maximum Payload: 3.56 tonnes
Maximum GVWR: 6.35 tonnes
Engines: 6.2L V8 Gas (FFV); 7.3L PFI Gas V8; 6.7L Power Stroke® V8 Turbo Diesel
Horsepower: 385 at 5,750 rpm (6.2L V8); 430 at 5,500 rpm (7.3L PFI V8); 475 at 2,600 rpm (6.7L Power Stroke® Turbo Diesel)
Torque: 430 at 3,800 rpm (6.2L V8); 475 at 4,000 rpm (7.3L PFI V8); 1050 at 1,600 rpm (6.7L Power Stroke® Turbo Diesel)
Transmission: TorqShift® G 6-speed SelectShift Automatic®, TorqShift® 10-speed SelectShift Automatic® with Selectable
Trims: Platinum, Limited, King Ranch
Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles Bumper to Bumper; 5 years/60,000 miles Powertrain; 5 years/100,000 miles on Diesel; 5 years / 60,000 miles on Safety Restraint System; 5 years / Unlimited miles on Corrosion (Perforation only); 5 years / 60,000 miles Roadside Assistance Program

2020 RAM Truck HD (2500/3500) | 15.92 tonnes

Back-to-back winner of MotorTrend’s Truck of the Year for the second year in a row, RAM’s outstanding heavy duty utes stand out for their excellent engineering, advanced design, the remarkable performance of intended functions, fuel efficiency, improved safety features, and cost-effectiveness. The latest heavy duty utes from the American manufacturer come in two new six-cylinder Cummins diesels. There are also plenty of available configurations, including the HO-powered 3500 4x2 Regular Cab Tradesman with an eight-foot box that can pull a conventional trailer weighing 10.42 tonnes and can tow up to 15.92 when equipped with a gooseneck hitch.

2020 RAM Truck HDSource: ramtrucks.com


Starting price: $79,777 (AUD)
Maximum Conventional Towing: 10.43 tonnes
Maximum Gooseneck Towing: 15.92 tonnes

Maximum Payload: 3.56 tonnes
Maximum GVWR: 6.35 tonnes
Engines: 6.7L High-Output Cummins® Turbo Diesel I6; 6.7L Cummins® Turbo Diesel I6; 6.4L HEMI® V8 with MDS
Maximum Horsepower: 410 with 6.4-litre V8
Maximum Torque: Torque: 1000 lb-ft with 6.7L Cummins® High-Output Turbo Diesel I6
Transmissions: 8-Speed Auto-8HP75-LCV; 6-Speed Automatic 68RFE; AISIN 6-Speed Automatic
Trims: Tradesman, Big Horn, Laramie, Power Wagon, Longhorn, Limited
Warranties: 5-Year Diesel Powertrain up to 100,000 miles; 5-Year Diesel Roadside Assistance up to 100,000 miles; 5-Year Gas Powertrain Limited Warranty up to 60,000 miles; 5-Year Gas Roadside Assistance up to 60,000 miles

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2020 Chevrolet Silverado HD | 16.10 tonnes

Chevy's latest heavy duty ute comes with the legendary Duramax® 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8 and the new 6.6L V8 gas engine. Paired with an all-new Allison® 10-speed automatic transmission, the diesel engine provides 445 horsepower and 910 lb.-ft. torque than can tow up to 16.10 tonnes of weight. Meanwhile, the gas engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission can produce 401 horsepower and 464 lb.-ft. that boasts up to 7.88 tonnes of towing power.

2020 Chevrolet Silverado HDSource: chevrolet.com


Starting price: $61,637 (AUD)
Maximum Conventional Towing: 20,000 lbs. with Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8
Maximum Fifth Wheel and Gooseneck Towing: 16.10 tonnes
Maximum Payload: 3.37 tonnes
Maximum GVWR: Up to 5.19 tonnes
Engines: 6.6L V8 gas engine, Duramax® 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8
Horsepower: 445 @ 2800 rpm on Duramax® 6.6L turbo-diesel V8; 401 on Vortec 6.0L V8
Torque: 910 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm on Duramax® 6.6L turbo-diesel V8; 464 lb.-ft. @ 4200 rpm on Vortec 6.0L V8
Transmission: 6-speed Allison® automatic transmission on Vortec 6.0L V8; Allison® 10-speed on Duramax 6.6L Turbo-Diesel V8

Trims: WT, LT, Custom, LTZ, High Country
Warranties: 1 Scheduled Maintenance Visit; Bumper-to-Bumper Limited Warranty for 3 Years/36,000 Miles (whichever comes first); Corrosion Limited Warranty for 3 Years/36,000 Miles Rust-Through 6 Years/100,000 Miles (whichever comes first); Powertrain/Drivetrain Limited Warranty for 5 Years/60,000 Miles HD Duramax Diesel: 5 Years/100,000 Miles; Qualified Fleet Purchases: 5 Years/100,000 Miles (whichever comes first); Roadside Assistance Program and Available Courtesy Transportation for 5 Years/60,000 Miles HD Duramax Diesel: 5 Years/100,000 Miles; Qualified Fleet Purchases: 5 Years/100,000 Miles

2020 GMC Sierra Heavy Duty (2500/3500) | 16.10 tonnes

GMC's big dog ute is all new for 2020 with 6.6-litre Duramax diesel power. The turbocharged V-8 makes 445 horsepower and 910 lb-ft of torque when backed by an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission. Diesel-powered, 2500 can tow a maximum of 8.39 tonnes while the 3500 Regular Cab DRW Long Box 2WD with 6.6L Duramax Turbo Diesel engine can yank up to 16.10 tonnes with fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailers.

2020 GMC Sierra Heavy DutySource: gmc.com


Starting price: $57,858 (AUD)
Maximum Conventional Towing: 9.07 tonnes
Maximum 5th Wheel/Gooseneck Towing: 16.10 tonnes

Maximum Payload: 3.37 tonnes
Maximum GVWR: 6.35 tonnes
Engines: 6.6L Duramax Turbo Diesel; 6.6L gasoline V8
Maximum Horsepower: 445
Maximum Torque: 910 lb-ft
Transmissions: Allison® 10-speed automatic transmission; 6L90 six-speed automatic
Trims: SLE, SLT, AT4, Denali
Warranties: 1 Scheduled Maintenance Visit; Bumper-to-Bumper Limited Warranty for 3 Years/36,000 Miles (whichever comes first); Corrosion Limited Warranty for 3 Years/36,000 Miles Rust-Through 6 Years/100,000 Miles (whichever comes first); Powertrain/Drivetrain Limited Warranty for 5 Years/60,000 Miles HD Duramax Diesel: 5 Years/100,000 Miles; Qualified Fleet Purchases: 5 Years/100,000 Miles (whichever comes first); Roadside Assistance Program for 5 Years/60,000 Miles HD Duramax Diesel: 5 Years/100,000 Miles; Qualified Fleet Purchases: 5 Years/100,000 Miles


2020 Ford F-150 | 6 tonnes

This light duty ute is capable of towing up to 6 tonnes of weight, thanks to its powerful engine configurations. Whilst the 3.3-litre V6 with 6-speed automatic remains the standard power plant, it also offers a choice of 2.7-liter EcoBoost® V6, 5.0-liter V8, 3.0-liter Power Stroke® turbodiesel V6, and 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6—all paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission—to meet the different needs of work. It is no wonder that the F-150 is among the most popular utes in the country.

2020 Ford F-15Source: ford.com


Starting price: $56,670 (AUD)
Maximum Conventional Towing: 6 tonnes
Maximum Payload: 1.48 tonnes
Maximum GVWR: 8.35 tonnes
Engines: 3.3L Ti-VCT V6 FFV; 2.7L EcoBoost V6; 5.0L V8; 3.5L EcoBoost V6; 3.0L Power Stroke® V6 High Output; 3.5L EcoBoost V6
Horsepower: 290 hp @6,500 rpm; 325 hp @5,000 rpm; 395 hp @5,750 rpm; 375 hp @5,000 rpm; 250 hp @3,250 rpm; 450 hp @5,000 rpm
Torque: 265 lb.-ft.@4,000 rpm; 400 lb-ft @2,750 rpm; 400 lb.-ft. @4,500 rpm; 470 lb.-ft. @3,500 rpm; 440 lb.-ft. @1,750 rpm; 510 lb.-ft. @3,500 rpm
Transmissions: 10-Speed SelectShift® Automatic; 6-Speed SelectShift® Automatic
Trim: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch,® Platinum, Limited
Warranties: Bumper-to-bumper 3 years/36,000 miles; Powertrain 5 years/60,000 miles; Aluminum body panels 5 years/unlimited miles; Corrosion - sheet metal (Perforation only excluding aluminium) 5 years/unlimited miles; Paint Adhesion 5 years/unlimited miles; Roadside assistance 5 years/60,000 miles; Diesel Engine 6 years/100,000 miles


Need a purpose-built and 100% operational ute to maximise your profits and grow your business? We can help you find and compare truck loans from over 30 of Australia’s leading banks and lenders. Call 1300 185 205 or apply for a Loan Pre-Approval.

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