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Plenty of drivers choose to drive pickup trucks because a truck can take on a variety of challenges that your standard SUV or sedan simply can't. The open bed is perfect for filling with all sorts of payload—from tools and equipment to your friend’s sofa, but one of the most popular tasks for a truck is towing and hauling. When looking at all the used trucks for sale, you might find yourself completely overwhelmed. While you may have a few requirements in mind, such as your budget and the amount of towing you need to do, it might be hard to put the two together. After all, the more trucks can do, the more expensive they tend to be. To help you get started on your search, we’ve compiled a guide to some of our favorite used trucks on the market today based on how well they stand up to towing and hauling. From heavyweight haulers to daily drivers that make towing loads a breeze with their technology, here are some options to look for in your used truck search. And if you still need some guidance in finding your perfect pre-owned truck, let our team here at Southern Chevrolet help! more Which Models Have the Highest Tow Rating? When it comes to heavy loads, only a heavy-duty (HD) truck will do. Still, it can be hard to determine which model is going to provide the best value while getting the job done. The 2020 Ram 2500 and 2500 were voted MotorTrend's "Truck of the Year" for their overall reliability and productivity, making them an excellent starting point for those shopping for a used HD truck. To get the highest possible towing rating, you’ll want to specifically look for the Ram 3500 with the 6.7L inline-6 Cummins High-Output Turbo Diesel engine. This was the engine that broke the mold when it came to power, with its 400 hp, 1,000 lb-ft of torque, and over 35,000 lbs of towing capacity. The 2022 Chevy Silverado 3500 HD is also a great option for those looking to tow big loads frequently. Chevy notes that every Silverado 3500 HD with dual rear wheels (dually) and the Cummins 6.6L Turbo Diesel engine can tow over 30,000 lbs, but the real muscle comes in with the 3500 HD Regular cab dually Work Truck, which can pull 36,000 lbs with the Max Trailering Package and gooseneck hitch. Furthermore, Chevy outfitted its 2022 heavy-duty lineup with important trailering tech, like eight available cameras, a Multi-Flex Tailgate that won’t get in the way of the hitching process, and an in-vehicle app that can provide details about your load and destination. The 2019 Ford F-350 Super Duty is also a trailering powerhouse. Though a bit older than the other two options, models equipped with the 6.7L turbocharged diesel V8 can take advantage of its 450 hp and 935 lb-ft of torque to tow gooseneck hitch loads up to 31,800 lbs. With conventional towing methods, the 2019 F-350 Super Duty can comfortably pull between 15,000 and 18,000 pounds, as well. Impressively, this model also allowed drivers to customize their experience with options like trailer tow cameras, heavy-service suspension, and adaptive steering, which updates the steering ratio based on speed and road circumstances. A Closer Look at Towing Assistance Technology But not all drivers are looking to drag the heaviest loads—some want as much assistance with the towing process as possible. That’s where towing assistance tech comes in—from driver assistance features to camera views, there are a few models that are heads above the rest when it comes to helping drivers get their loads from place to place in safety. The 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 is one such model. Offered in nine total trims with four potential engine options, the Silverado 1500 is designed to be the best tool a driver has. The 2022 Silverado 1500 has a towing maximum of 13,300 pounds and a payload maximum of 2,270, making it not quite as powerful as the heavy-duty options, but still capable of doing some serious work. To that point, the Silverado 1500 includes some pretty impressive standard towing gear, such as StabiliTrak with Trailer Sway Control and Hill Start Assist. A dedicated Tow/Haul mode adjusts transmission shift points when hitched, and Auto Grade Braking helps keep your load balanced when the roads get steep. And while it’s hard to know what is going to be on the used truck at any given time, a number of 2022 buyers selected available advanced trailering features like Hitch Guidance with Hitch View, which provides a camera at the hitch site. Hitch area lighting makes nighttime and early morning hitching easier, while features such as an Electric Parking Brake hookup assist and an integrated trailer brake controller help drivers control their entire rig. Extra external cameras such as a Bed View with Cargo Bed Zoom-In, Bed Hitch Guidance for goosenecks and fifth wheels, and Jack-Knife Alert provide extra peace of mind when hauling valuable loads. The 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 could be equipped with up to 15 different camera views when new, thanks to a litany of new and updated cameras added that model year. Many drivers elected to add the Sierra’s industry-first Transparent Trailer View, which allows drivers to virtually see through their trailer to determine what objects and obstacles lie behind them. A Rear Trailer Camera was newly added to the 2021 list of options, displaying adaptive guidelines that predict the trailer path when moving in reverse. An in-vehicle Trailering App could be integrated directly into the Sierra’s infotainment system, allowing drivers to create up to five trailer profiles to track things like tire pressure, mileage, fuel economy, and light checks. Furthermore, available power-adjustable trailering mirrors could be installed, allowing drivers to extend their mirror view to encompass the trailer. The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning might seem like a strange choice for trailering, but when it comes to technology, it would feel even stranger to not include it. Like all trucks, the towing maximum of the 2022 all-electric F-150 Lightning depends on trim, with the XLT and LARIAT trims leading the pack at 10,000 when equipped with an extended-range battery. After all, the extended-range battery is good for 580 hp and 775 lb-ft of torque. The important parts come in the Ford Lightning’s productivity suite. Not only does it have an interior work surface and tailgate step/tailgate work surface combination, but the Pro Power Onboard system allows drivers to use their F-150 Lightning as a power source, with outlets in the cab, bed, and front truck. Being able to plug your tools into your truck can make life a lot easier. On top of that, the F-150 Lightning is offered with a Tow Technology package, which adds Pro Trailer Backup Assist, Trailer Reverse Guidance, Trailer Brake Controller, Smart Hitch, On-board Scales, Smart Trailer Tow Connector, and Forward Sensing System to the mix, all of which are designed to make the hitching, hauling, and maneuvering processes far easier. Choosing the Best Used Truck for Towing If you know you’re going to be doing a lot of towing, it's best to look for a vehicle that was designed to perform. You might try looking for models that already have towing packages installed; while they may have a slightly higher price tag than models that don’t already have towing packages installed, you might find yourself saving a lot of time and trouble. You’ll also want to check on each truck’s towing specifications individually. Differences between the trim levels, engine choice, box/cabin configuration, and drivetrain can impact how much you’ll be able to pull. The good news is that there are plenty of used trucks on the market that are ready and willing to meet your everyday challenges, whatever they may be.

There are many good reasons to consider used trucks for sale instead of looking for a new truck. Used trucks depreciate more slowly, give you more features for your money, and often cost less to register and insure. In some cases, a used truck is still fully or partially covered by the original warranty or a separate warranty if you’re going the Certified Pre-Owned route. You certainly wouldn’t be alone among central Louisiana drivers who want a used truck. But with so many options to consider, the question remains: where to start? more Determine the Size You Need The first thing to consider is how big the cab and bed will be. This determines how much space you have for passengers and cargo. While variations exist between automakers, truck cabs and beds fall into a few categories. Let’s start by looking at the main types of truck cabs: Regular/Standard Cab: This is the classic two-door cab with two bucket seats or a single bench seat. There is little, if any, space behind the seating row. Extended Cab: These have a second row of seats with small rear doors that swing toward the bed. Space is still tight, though. You open the front doors before the rear doors, then move the front seats forward to access to the second row. Double Cab: This cab is large enough to have four full-size doors opening in the same direction. The rear seats have enough legroom for kids and shorter adults, though tall adults will be cramped. Crew Cab: The largest cab size available, the Crew Cab is big enough for four to six tall adults to sit comfortably. Some crew cabs now even have in-cab storage behind the rear seats. As for truck beds, the most common bed sizes are: Short Bed: Around 5.5 ft long Standard Bed: Around 6.5-7 ft long (Note: some manufacturers will split this category into “standard short” and “standard long”) Long Bed: Around 8 ft long Certain truck cab and bed sizes tend to be paired together. For example, with the Chevy Silverado 1500, you can only get the long bed with a regular cab. The standard and short bed can be found with the double or crew cab. Also, smaller cabs are most often found on compact trucks and full-size trucks' entry-level (work truck) trim. Determine What You Want Under the Hood Most truck makers now offer the choice between a gas or diesel engine. Which direction you should go depends on your priorities. A gas-powered truck engine costs less upfront, is easier to maintain, and does better at hauling on-board cargo. Regular gasoline also costs less per gallon than diesel, with the exact amount depending on the area. Diesel engines have more torque for towing, get better fuel mileage, and can handle consistent heavy-duty workloads better than an equivalent gas engine. There’s no right or wrong answer. It all depends on what you’re using the truck for. Once you’ve decided on a fuel source, you’ll need to decide how big an engine you need. Using the Chevy Silverado 1500 again, the 2021 edition could be purchased with four gas powerplants ranging from a 285-hp 4.3L V6 to a 420-hp 6.2L V8, as well as a diesel option. Bigger engines have more power and torque but get worse fuel economy. Again, the choice depends on your needs. A truck primarily driven downtown won’t need as big an engine as one lugging equipment down Route 28 or hitting the nearest off-road trail. Do You Need Towing Capabilities? One of the biggest reasons to get a truck is so you can tow recreational equipment. You may need to bring construction supplies home for a DIY project, get a boat to Williams Lake, or take your RV out for a week-long getaway. Which trucks are going to get everything there without straining? Not surprisingly, heavy-duty trucks, also called HD or Super Duty trucks, are the brawniest. Your heavy duty truck will come equipped with a powerful engine, can have great features, but is ultimately designed for tough jobs. Check out the following models if you are looking for maximum towing capabilities: Chevy Silverado 2500 HD - Tow up to 22,430 lbs Chevy Silverado 3500 HD - Tow up to 36,000 lbs GMC Sierra 2500 HD - Tow up to 22,500 lbs GMC Sierra 3500 HD - Tow up to 36,000 lbs Ram 2500 - Tow up to 19,990 lbs Ram 3500 - Tow up to 37,090 lbs Ford F-250 - Tow up to 23,000 lbs Ford F-350 - Tow up to 32,900 lbs Most drivers will lean towards a full-size truck over heavy duty trucks. These trucks can handle tough tasks, can be equipped with various engine options including hybrids, are more fuel efficient, and make for great family vehicles. Here are the full-size trucks you will want to check out and their respective max towing capacity: Chevy Silverado 1500 - Tow up to 13,300 lbs GMC Sierra 1500 - Tow up to 13,300 lbs Ram 1500 - Tow up to 12,750 lbs Ford F-150 - Tow up to 13,500 lbs Nissan Titan - Tow up to 9,290 lbs Toyota Tundra - Tow up to 12,000 lbs Consider How Efficient You Need Your Truck to Be While fuel efficiency is rarely the main factor when buying a truck, it can help sway the decision when all else is equal. As of the 2024 model year, the Chevy Silverado 1500 can be equipped with the most fuel-efficient engine on the market. With its diesel engine, drivers of the Silverado 1500 can expect an EPA-estimated 26 MPG. Most full-size gas trucks will yield around 17-22 MPG, so you can expect to find similar ratings regardless of which model you choose. Heavy-duty trucks are not rated for fuel efficiency. More and more trucks are coming with a hybrid engine or fully-electric option, and these trucks are starting to hit the used market. The Ford F-150, Toyota Tundra, and Ram 1500 are just a few trucks now available in hybrid and/or EV form. Hybrid trucks are more efficient and often more powerful than gas-only trucks but cost more. EVs are the most efficient but also the most expensive, and you’ll need to add a charging setup at your home. However, the tax savings and time savings from not stopping at the gas station will add up rather quickly. You might end up saving more in the long run with an all-electric truck. What Features & Equipment Matter Most When it comes down to it, the features and equipment needed will vary depending on the driver. You can find all kinds of great features on used trucks, from hi-tech safety equipment to impressive trailering cameras. We suggest seeking out trucks with features like blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, parking sensors, and multiple camera angles. As far as comfort and convenience features go, you'll find lots of great options, like heated/cooled seats, head-up displays, remote start, and multi-zone climate systems. You can also add aftermarket/OEM equipment if the truck you are interested in doesn't have the features you want but checks all of your other needs. Find a Used Truck at Southern Chevrolet When you’re ready to make a smart investment in a used truck, visit us in Alexandria, Louisiana. We combine our knowledge of trucks with old-fashioned Southern hospitality to deliver a unique, stress-free customer experience. You can take advantage of our great selection of used trucks to find the one that meets your needs. Towing capacities listed are for the 2024 model year. The actual capacity of the truck will depend on the model year, trim, and equipment installed.