How to Determine Small Truck Towing Capacity

You can determine small truck towing ability.

The Toyota Tacoma is the best-selling small pickup truck model.

Big pickup trucks such as the Ford F-150, Dodge Ram and Chevy Silverado are prized for their power and towing capacity while small trucks such as the Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier deliver superior fuel economy. Yet, properly outfitted, small trucks can also tow everything from campers to small boats.

Compact Segment

Small trucks are defined as vehicles from compact to midsize. Models include the Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger and Dodge Dakota.

The Tacoma and now retired Dakota are clearly in the midsize truck range.

Truck Basics

Smaller trucks offer four- and six-cylinder engines and are available in two- and four-wheel drive. Some trucks offer an extended cab or lengthier bed as well.

Small trucks feature gas engines only; diesel engines are currently not available though that will change when the Mahindra TR20 and Mahindra TR40 are introduced to the U.S. market for the 2011 model year.

Towing Capacity

In the March 2010 issue of Truck Trend, maximum towing capacity for small pickup trucks was published. Towing capacity ranges from 5,600 pounds to 7,050 pounds depending on the make and model truck.

If fuel economy is an important consideration for you, then check out the small pickup truck guide published by the Environmental Protection Agency. Compare trucks by engine size, transmission offerings and 4×2 versus 4×4. The GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado are twins as are the Nissan Frontier and Suzuki Equator.

Photos: Wikipedia public domain pictures

See Also — Speculation Abounds Regarding Ford Ranger Replacement

Are Truck Trends An Economic Barometer?

Full size trucks lead the way

The Nissan Titan is one of six full-sized truck models available.

I read Edmunds’ analysis about pickup truck sales as being a measuring stick for the nation’s economic health and have to say I agree with what they shared.

Edmunds quoted Dale Buss, contributor to AutoObserver.com (an Edmunds publication), to outline their case. Buss said, “Pickup-truck sales gained more traction last month, and industry executives are starting to believe that their biggest and most profitable vehicles can be counted on to haul an even larger share of the fledgling recovery for the rest of the year and beyond.”

Big Trucks

In times past that has certainly been true. Pickup trucks are among the most profitable vehicles sold, especially crew cabs favored by businesses. When those orders rebound, then signs of recovery should follow. These trucks are favored by construction workers whose own industry — building new homes and businesses — has lagged in recent years.

The full-size truck segment is defined by six models: the Ford F-Series, Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, Ram 1500, Toyota Tundra and Nissan Titan. The Ram 1500 was formerly known as the Dodge Ram 1500 before the Chrysler Group, LLC decided to separate its Ram truck line from its Dodge car line.

Truck Trends

Last month’s auto sales weren’t spectacular, but there was one trend evident that supports what Buss and Edmunds had to say: sales of Ford’s F-Series topped 50,000 units for the month — the first time that happened since February 2008 — while GM sold more than 35,000 units of its Chevrolet Silverado.  Ford and Chevy are the two top selling full-sized truck brands in America.

Importantly, Edmunds’ analyst Ivan Drury has noted that the trade-in rate for a new-truck purchase by people who already own trucks has surged to more than 72 percent in 2010, a number last seen in 2005. That number is in contrast to a figure in the mid- to upper-60s range for the past four years.

Big Incentives

Though big pickup trucks can be pricey, incentives are still high, averaging $4300 per truck according to Edmunds. Likely, the lion’s share of discounts are on the heavy duty trucks, but each of the manufacturers will put cash on the hood if that move spells the difference between a sale or the customer running off to the competition.

Edmunds sees truck sales improving over the coming years, perhaps reaching 15 percent of the market as it did back in 2005. That would help the automakers, particularly the Detroit 3, who still rely on big trucks and sport utility vehicles to generate profit for their respective operations.

Photo Credit: Nissan North America, Inc.

The Purpose Driven Dodge Ram 1500

All New Dodge Ram Laramie

Truck utility meets family sedan comfort in the all new Dodge Ram.

Ever since Chrysler redesigned its Dodge Ram pickup in 1994 to give it a big rig truck expression, the vehicle has been the standard bearer for the automaker, the best selling model year after year. Chrysler’s reliance on its line of full-sized trucks has helped propel the automaker to profits in good years, but nearly sunk the company in 2008 when buyers fled this segment in face of record fuel prices.

Retreating gas prices combined with the release of the fourth generation Dodge Ram 1500 for the 2009 model year has eased the stress for Chrysler somewhat, bringing forth an all new model that now includes its very first crew cab version. With rear coil springs, unique RamBox storage system, and comfortable interior, the newest Ram offers the utility of a truck along with comfort found in a car, a special blend of vehicle designed to appeal to families and work crews alike.

Middle of the Road

Dodge has always trailed the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado, the sales leaders in the big truck segment, while managing to hold off new models such as the Toyota Tundra and Nissan Titan for third place. Though some of its competitors regularly duke it out for towing capacity supremacy, Dodge has been content with finding its own niche, choosing to emphasize details not stressed by its competitors.

It is these details which helps distinguish the Dodge Ram from the pack: a powerful, optional Hemi engine brings out the muscle car from underneath the hood, while the suspension system gives the truck a ride that is smooth, steering that is crisp and provides sedan-like handling. Tight, quick corners are easy to navigate and acceleration is a snap. Dodge says that the short bed two wheel drive R/T will hit sixty miles per hour in under six seconds, embodying the spirit of the flashy Dodge Challenger in pickup truck form.

Three Cab Choices

The Dodge Ram 1500 is available in three configurations: regular, quad and crew cab with three to five trim levels available for each arrangement. Top towing capacity of 9100 lbs is realized with the regular cab, which comes equipped with a standard 6′ 4” bed or optional 8′ bed. Payload is rated at 1910 lbs., with both the quad and crew cabs offering slightly lower limits for towing and payload.

All Dodge Ram 1500 models are equipped with four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control and hill start assist, with trailer sway control standard for the quad and crew cab models. Front and side curtain airbags are standard while every model offers tilt steering, automatic headlamps and for the person too intimidated to back up the burly beast: an available rear back up camera system. All right, not a feature die-hard truck enthusiasts would want, but it is something Chrysler felt would be desirable for a certain group of drivers.

Gasoline engine choices include a standard 3.7L V6, available 4.7L V8 or a 5.7L HEMI V8. Each of the V8 engines is paired with a five speed automatic transmission, while a four speed automatic is standard with the V6. The highly regarded 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel engine is available exclusively on heavy duty 2500 and 3500 models, but Dodge promises to roll out a light duty diesel and, yes, a gas-electric hybrid over the next few years. Both the V6 and 4.7L V8 return 14 mpg city and 20 mpg highway; fuel economy numbers are lower for the other models.

Lavish Interior

The interior of the Ram is comfortable and roomy with class leading rear legroom in the crew cab. That same model also offers in-floor storage compartments, just the right touch for this workhorse. There is plenty of room to store tools when out on a job without sacrificing space for a crew of six workers.

Wide use of leading edge technology is evident inside of the Ram’s cab, with an Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) display that offers temperature gauge, miles to empty, trip elapsed timing, and various personal settings and warnings. Available internet access through the truck’s uConnect system turns the Ram into an office, optional SIRIUS satellite radio with Alpine surround sound speakers provide exemplary sound performance, while rear seat television viewing – a class exclusive – is available for crew and quad cabs. MP3 connectivity is standard across the entire truck line.

Optimum Storage

The most intriguing option on the 2009 model is, unfortunately, not available across the Ram’s entire line. RamBox, a unique locking cargo management system built into both rear wheel well areas, provides a smart way to store tools, carry groceries, handle sporting equipment, even house cans of soda with drain plug included. Alas, only the crew cab is outfitted with this option, something Dodge may want to extend across its model line in the future.

An integrated bed divider/extender is another feature that sets the Dodge Ram apart from the competition. Easily adjustable, the divider can be grabbed, dragged and set into different sections of the bed, even folding out when the tailgate is down to extend the length of the bed by an additional two feet. Just the right option to turn a standard bed truck into a full size one.

Priced Right

Clearly, the 2009 Dodge Ram demonstrates that a full sized pick up truck can perform admirably in dual roles, confidently filling its role as a workhorse while also providing the best car like ride of any big truck. For families having to decide between purchasing a truck or a sedan, the Ram ends that debate as it blends attributes from both.

Prices for the base Ram start at $22,170 and can easily be doubled when certain cab, trim levels and options are included. However, aggressive discounting can lower your final price; check with your Dodge dealer for current incentives and financing options.