Best Vehicles for Towing a Boat: Our Top Picks for Boats Under 26 Feet and 28 Feet and Up

“Will my vehicle tow this boat?” is a question I get at boat shows all the time. It usually comes up right after a family finds a model they love and starts thinking through where they’ll keep it, where they’ll launch it, and whether the vehicle in their driveway is up to the job.

There are good tow vehicles beyond pickup trucks. If you need three rows of seating and enclosed space for the family’s gear, a full-size SUV may fit your life better. If you’re towing a larger offshore boat regularly, a heavy-duty pickup will usually give you more options for handling the loaded trailer.

I ranked these 2026 vehicles on towing capability, payload, braking and trailer control, towing technology, comfort, and family use. The rankings are a place to start shopping. Your boat’s loaded weight and the ratings of the exact vehicle you buy make the final call.

What are you actually towing?

Before looking at vehicles, add up the boat, engines, trailer, fuel, water, batteries, equipment, and gear.

For example, our Masters 247 has an approximate dry weight of 3,968 pounds. Our Open 282 is approximately 7,224 pounds dry. Those figures do not include engines, fuel, water, gear, batteries, or the trailer. A full 230-gallon fuel tank on the Open 282 adds roughly 1,380 pounds using six pounds per gallon. That is why dry weight alone cannot tell you what vehicle to buy.

Your Sportsman dealer can help you identify the boat’s engine package and the trailer fitted to it. Take that complete picture with you when you shop for a vehicle.

Pulling the boat is only half the job

I also want customers to think about how the boat and vehicle will behave when it is time to slow down. A tow rating tells you how much a properly equipped vehicle is rated to pull. It does not, by itself, tell you how a particular truck, SUV, and trailer combination will feel when traffic stops ahead of you.

When comparing vehicles, look at their braking equipment, available integrated trailer brake controller, and trailer sway control. Just as important, make sure the trailer’s brakes and tires are maintained and the boat is positioned to achieve the correct tongue weight. A well-equipped tow vehicle cannot make up for a trailer that is poorly loaded or has brakes that are not working properly. The brake controller must also be compatible with your trailer’s brake system; some boat trailers use surge brakes, while others use electric-over-hydraulic systems.

That is a real consideration in these rankings. I would rather have a vehicle and trailer combination that feels controlled through braking, turns, and highway travel than choose a vehicle solely because it has the largest number in a towing ad.

My top three tow vehicles for many boats under 26 feet

For this group, I wanted a mix of vehicles a family might actually choose: two capable full-size pickups and a three-row SUV. Each has a different reason to be on the list.

*Maximum figures require specific equipment and configurations. They do not tell you the vehicle’s available payload with your family aboard.

1. Ford F-150: Best overall

The F-150 is where I would begin if a pickup works for your family. A properly equipped 3.5-liter EcoBoost model can tow up to 13,500 pounds, and Ford advertises up to 2,440 pounds of payload in the F-150 lineup. Its available trailer features and range of cab and engine choices make it easier to find a truck that works for both the boat and daily life.

Why it wins overall: It offers the strongest combination of published towing and payload ceilings in this group, with plenty of configuration choices.

What I would check: The exact truck’s tow package, axle, payload sticker, conventional towing rating, trailer brake controller, and sway control features. A well-equipped family SuperCrew may have different ratings from the configuration behind the advertised maximum.

Interior & Comfort: The SuperCrew is the configuration I would spend time in with the whole family. See how the rear seat works with car seats, coolers, and the bags you bring on a typical weekend. Ford’s available console work surface is handy when you’re getting organized at the ramp, while available BlueCruise may appeal to families who spend a lot of time on compatible highways. Look at the interior you want alongside its payload sticker: added equipment can affect how much capacity is left for people and trailer tongue weight.

2. Chevrolet Silverado 1500: Best for trailer visibility

The Silverado 1500 is a close competitor on towing capacity, with an advertised maximum of 13,300 pounds. Where it stands out to me is its available camera system: eight cameras can provide up to 14 views. If you frequently hook up alone or use a crowded ramp, being able to see more of the truck and trailer is a practical advantage. Chevrolet also offers an available Duramax diesel. This is an incredible option if you are looking for a tow vehicle.

Why it wins the visibility category: Its available camera views and Trailering App address tasks boat owners deal with every time they hitch up and launch.

What I would check: Chevrolet’s maximum towing figure applies to a particular Double Cab diesel setup. If you’re shopping for a Crew Cab, get that truck’s towing and payload numbers. Confirm the trailer brake equipment and ask how the truck’s trailering features work with your trailer.

Interior & Comfort: The Silverado makes a strong case for families who want towing information where they can see it easily. Available trims bring a 13.4-inch center touchscreen and a 12.3-inch driver display, so the cabin feels well suited to navigation and the truck’s trailering tools. Sit in the rear seat of the Crew Cab and compare it with your current vehicle, especially if you regularly have adults or kids riding along on longer trips.

3. Toyota Sequoia: Best three-row family SUV

If you want to bring the boat and still have three rows, the Sequoia deserves a look. Toyota lists a maximum towing capacity of up to 9,520 pounds for properly equipped 2026 models. Its hybrid powertrain makes 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque, and available load-leveling rear air suspension is another feature worth considering for towing.

Why it wins the SUV category: It offers a genuine alternative for families who value enclosed cargo space and passenger seating more than a pickup bed.

What I would check: Pay close attention to payload. Fill the seats with people, add luggage and trailer tongue weight, and make sure the specific Sequoia still meets every rating. Check its trailer brake setup as carefully as its tow rating. Its 9,520-pound maximum does not mean it is the right match for every boat under 26 feet.

Interior & Comfort: This is the vehicle I would try first if your family needs the third row every week, not just on an occasional boat trip. The available 14-inch touchscreen and premium seating features make the drive feel less like a compromise for choosing a tow vehicle. Toyota’s sliding, folding third row also lets you adjust the space for passengers or cargo. Bring the family to the test drive and check how much gear fits behind the third row when it is in use.

Another pickup worth driving: If you prefer Toyota but want a truck bed, put the Toyota Tundra on your list. It offers up to 12,000 pounds of towing in the 2026 lineup. I chose the Sequoia for the top three because it gives families a different vehicle type to consider; the Tundra may be the better Toyota for your particular boat and load.

My top three tow vehicles for boats 28 feet and up

At 28 feet and beyond, the fully loaded boat and trailer can become a very different towing job. Some SUVs and light-duty pickups have impressive advertised ratings, but that does not guarantee enough payload, hitch capacity, or towing capacity for a particular larger center console. Trailer braking and stability become especially important as the load grows.

These three heavy-duty pickup lines are where I would start. I am ranking the truck families, since choosing between a 2500/F-250 and a 3500/F-350 can be as important as choosing the brand.

1. Ford Super Duty: Best place to start with a larger boat

Ford offers a broad selection of F-250 and F-350 engines, cabs, and drivetrains. Its towing guide lists conventional trailer ratings by configuration. That is the number boat owners need to examine, rather than a maximum advertised for a fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailer.

Why it wins overall: You have a wide range of trucks to compare as you match towing capacity and payload to the boat.

What I would check: Look for an integrated trailer brake controller compatible with your trailer, towing mirrors, available trailer cameras, and the right hitch equipment. If an F-250 is short on payload for your family and trailer, compare an F-350.

Interior & Comfort: A Super Duty does not have to feel like a bare-bones work truck. Higher trims offer features such as a 12-inch screen, an available interior work surface, and available Max Recline front seats. For me, the bigger consideration is how the Crew Cab feels on a long trip with the family aboard. Sit in a few trims before choosing; the comfortable configuration should still leave you with the payload your boat requires.

2. Chevrolet Silverado HD: Best for seeing around the trailer

A larger boat means a longer trailer and more to watch when you change lanes, back into storage, or approach the ramp. Silverado HD’s available camera and trailering technology makes it particularly appealing for owners who move their boat often. Chevrolet offers both 2500HD and 3500HD versions, so you can compare the capacity of each against your load.

Why it wins the visibility category: The available trailer views can make the everyday parts of towing a large boat easier to manage.

What I would check: Chevrolet advertises a Silverado HD lineup towing maximum of 36,000 pounds. That is not the conventional towing rating of every Silverado HD. Use the chart for the exact truck and trailer hitch setup and confirm that its brake controller works with your trailer’s brakes.

Interior & Comfort: On the drive home after a full day on the water, a well-laid-out cab matters. Available Silverado HD trims offer a 13.4-inch center touchscreen and 12.3-inch driver display, bringing navigation and vehicle information into easy view. I would compare the Crew Cab’s rear seating and storage with your family’s usual load, then choose the trim that gives you the comfort you want without overlooking its payload rating.

3. Ram Heavy Duty: Best for comfort and backing assistance

The Ram 2500 offers up to 20,000 pounds of towing with its available high-output Cummins diesel. Its available auto-level rear air suspension and Trailer Reverse Steering Control are also worth a look. The reverse steering feature lets the driver guide the trailer’s direction using a knob while backing up. Ram also lists heavy-duty four-wheel disc antilock brakes and an available automatic exhaust brake for its Heavy Duty trucks.

Why it wins the maneuvering category: Those available features focus on the moments boat owners notice most: hitching, managing a load, and backing a trailer into a tight spot.

What I would check: Do not pair Ram’s maximum diesel towing number with its maximum gas payload number; they come from different configurations. Check the payload on the truck you want, confirm its trailer brake equipment, and compare a Ram 3500 if a 2500 does not cover the load.

Interior & Comfort: Ram deserves time on your test-drive list if you want a heavy-duty truck that also feels like a comfortable family vehicle. Depending on trim, you can get a 14.5-inch center touchscreen, a 10.25-inch front passenger display, and premium audio. If rear-seat comfort is a priority, look at the available Mega Cab and its reclining rear seats. Those features make a long towing trip more pleasant, but compare the payload of the specific truck after you settle on a cab and trim.

Can an SUV tow a larger Sportsman?

Possibly, depending on the boat, trailer, and SUV. There is no rule that says you must own a pickup to own a boat. But I would be careful about shopping by boat length or an SUV’s headline tow rating alone.

The Open 282, for example, starts at approximately 7,224 pounds before engines, fuel, trailer, and gear. That is why I would calculate the complete package before considering an SUV for that boat. The same applies to a truck.

How I would make the final decision

Get five numbers before signing for a vehicle: the loaded boat-and-trailer weight, the loaded trailer’s tongue weight, the vehicle’s configuration-specific tow rating, its available payload, and its hitch rating. Account for everyone and everything riding in the vehicle. Confirm the trailer’s brakes and the vehicle’s compatible brake equipment, then drive your finalists and see how their seating, visibility, and controls work for your family.

For a smaller boat, the best vehicle may be a full-size truck or a properly equipped three-row SUV. For a larger boat, I would begin with heavy-duty pickups and choose the specific configuration around the loaded trailer.

Talk through your boat and trailer package with your local Sportsman dealer. Getting those details right up front means you can focus on the part we all look forward to: the days you spend on the water.