10 Best Used Trucks for Towing Under $15,000

In America, full-size pickup trucks are the gold standard when it comes time to move a heavy load. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of being behind the wheel of a truck with a torque-rich gas V8 or diesel engine. And for towing, that torque is crucial.

Truck prices are buoyed these days by high demand and short supply. So that used truck might cost a bit more than it used to. Still, there are plenty of great trucks on the market with a few miles on the clock just waiting to be put to work. Here are 10 of the best tow machines we found for under $15,000 spanning a wide range of truck capability. Translation? There’s a truck here to match every need.

Note: Pricing is accurate as of the publish date, but is subject to change.

The Nissan Titan stormed onto the full-size truck scene in 2004 with a truck packing a massively strong all-new 5.6-liter V8. And over the next few years, Nissan really refined the package. The V8 is rated at 317 horsepower and 385 lb-ft of torque but it feels much stronger and howls a throaty growl when pushed. It comes hitched to a 5-speed automatic transmission that offers a tow-haul mode. Nissan’s Pro-4X off-road package has a unique electronic locking rear differential and lower gearing, so it’s a trim that’s worthwhile to search for. The Titan King Cab is rated to tow a hefty 9,500-pound trailer and Crew Cab models can handle a 9,400-pound trailer. Those are excellent numbers and place the Titan solidly in the meaty portion of the light-duty full-size pickup pack.

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If you dare to call any 1-ton dually pickup truck “carlike,” then the GMC Sierra 3500 certainly qualifies. Thanks to its independent front suspension, even 4WD models steer and handle with much more agility than comparable year trucks from Ford and Dodge (Ram). Plus, a fresh interior makes these trucks very comfortable to live with. Top SLT models are the most luxe and offer heated leather seats and more. But don’t let all that fool you into thinking the Sierra 3500 is a towing lightweight. The optional diesel really packs the muscle with 385 horsepower and 660 lb-ft of torque. A regular-cab 4WD model equipped with the Duramax diesel can pull a 16,500-pound fifth-wheel trailer. Plus, certain models can handle a payload of over 5,000 pounds. That, folks, is real work.

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The 2005 Ram 2500 offers a number of great features for those that need to move heavy loads. This was the first year for the return of the Hemi V8 with 345 horsepower and 375 lb-ft of torque. But for hauling massive trailers, look for the venerable 5.9-liter Cummins diesel. It cranks out 325 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque down at 1,600 rpm. These engines have a good reputation for longevity and were built before today’s more complicated emissions control systems. So if towing will be a consistent part of the truck’s routine, going for the Cummins might make sense. A 2-wheel-drive regular-cab diesel can handle a 13,600-pound trailer. But even a Quad Cab Hemi can move 10,800 pounds. As a side note, 2005 was the year Dodge re-introduced the Power Wagon with locking differentials, a winch up front, and an ingenious swaybar disconnect system.

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The Sierra is the slightly upscale and better-equipped version of the Chevy Silverado. And for 2007, the Sierra was all-new with a stronger frame, wider track, and new front suspension and steering designs. Seek out a 6.0-liter (367-horsepower) V8-powered Extended Cab Sierra 4WD with 3.73:1 gears and the enhanced tow package and it can tow 10,500 pounds. Those looking for a more luxurious machine can search for a Sierra Denali, which includes an aluminum 6.2-liter V8 with 403 horsepower hitched to a 6-speed automatic and comes standard with 4-wheel drive. The Denali might be heavy on luxe but it can still tow 8,500 pounds, which should be plenty for most cross-shopping in this class.

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This generation of the Ram 1500 was a real breakthrough for full-size pickup comfort. That’s because this was the first modern pickup to use a smooth-riding coil-spring (or optional airbag) rear suspension. When coupled with the brawny 390-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 and optioned with 3.92:1 axle gears, the Ram can handle a 9,100-pound trailer. Of course, that’s for 2WD models. The maximum for 4WD models is 8,800 pounds. That’s still a solid number when one considers the supple ride and easygoing driving dynamics.

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Don’t confuse the 2006 Tundra with the brawny one that’s on sale today. The 2006 model was a lighter-duty machine with a lower tow capacity. But don’t let that scare you away. If you only need to tow a small trailer but want an easier-to-drive tow machine with excellent reliability and build quality, this is that truck. The Tundra is a sweetheart to drive around town or on the highway, with a smooth ride and a size that allows you to park it just about anywhere. It’s a very carlike (almost) full-size truck. Choose a 4WD Double Cab model with the 271 horsepower, 4.7-liter V8 and it can tow 6,500 pounds. But some models can take on a 7,100-pound trailer.

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Chevy’s light-duty Silverado 1500 is a real towing powerhouse if you search for the right options. Find one with the 403-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 along with the Max Tow package and the Silverado can move 10,700 pounds and take nearly a ton of payload in the bed. That’s impressive. This generation Silverado had several engine choices including a V6 and three V8s. Our advice? Find one with either the 5.3-liter or the aforementioned 6.2-liter V8 because you’ll be able to tow more and gain the advantage of a 6-speed automatic, too. Smaller engines make do with the old-timey 4-speed automatic.

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The Silverado 2500 is the perfect pickup for those that need a bit more tow capacity than a light-duty truck but without the typical heavy-duty truck comfort compromises. That’s because this generation of 2500 Chevy trucks rides well and drives with a nimbleness that’s closer to a 1500-series truck. There are two interior choices as well, one that’s more SUV-like and another that’s aimed more at work customers. A 6.0-liter V8 with 360 horsepower is standard, but to gain the most towing ability, opt for the Duramax diesel and Allison transmission that bumps the max towing from 13,000 to 15,500 pounds on 2WD, single-cab models.

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This generation of F-150 was all-new in 2009. For the 2012 model year, you can choose from engines that include a 300-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 base engine, a 5.0-liter V8, and the 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 with 365 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. The EcoBoost has great numbers to be sure, but the V8 is less complicated and is likely the most trouble-free choice for a used truck. But regardless of the engine, they work through a 6-speed automatic. The most capable F-150s for 2012 can handle a payload of just over 3,000 pounds and tow a whopping 11,300 pounds. But that’s not every F-150, so be sure to check the specs before you buy.

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Ford’s Super Duty line of trucks is the most popular in the heavy-duty segment. Ford was the first to create two separate lines of full-size pickup: one light-duty and the other heavy-duty. And these specialized first-generation Super Duty trucks were refined and upgraded until they ended production in 2016. The 2011 year was significant because the Super Duty gained a new base 385-horsepower 6.2-liter gas V8 as well as a 6.7-liter turbodiesel with an even 800 lb-ft of torque down at 1,600 rpm. But don’t hunt for a manual transmission –the heavy-duty 6-speed was canceled that year. A single-cab F-250 diesel can pull a 15,000-pound trailer from a conventional hitch or 16,700 pounds using a fifth-wheel hitch.

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