Going off-grid for a few days sounds pretty good. The mountains are calling and you must go— but can your current vehicle tow a camper? Luckily, many of the best small campers are perfect for towing behind a smaller vehicle. But if you’re still wondering how yours will hold up, we’ve undertaken the search for the best SUV for towing a camper. If you see your SUV on the list, great! If not, this gives you a good primer on what SUV will tow with your ideal RV.
Note: The listed weights below are for 2025 models only. Actual ratings vary based on year, make, model, and trim. Please consult vehicle manufacturers for the most up-to-date tow vehicle weight ratings.
Key Takeaways
- Best SUVs for Towing: The article lists top SUVs for towing campers, highlighting models like the Ford Expedition (9,600 lbs) and Toyota Sequoia (9,520 lbs) for maximum towing capacity. It also covers midsize and small SUVs with lower towing capacities.
- Towing Capacity Breakdown: SUVs are categorized into full-size, midsize, and small options, with payload capacities also provided. The article emphasizes checking manufacturer specifications for precise towing limits.
- Resources for Safe Towing: It offers tools like a Towing Calculator, explanations of towing-related terms (GVW, GVWR), and guidance on necessary accessories like trailer brake controllers and weight distribution hitches for safe and efficient towing.
What Is the Best Towing Capacity SUV?
Ford, Jeep, Honda, Hyundai, Subaru—the list goes on. And we know loyalty can be a big deal with auto manufacturers (many feel the same about RV manufacturers!). So we’ve selected the SUV with the highest towing capacity from each major automaker, offering options for Ford guys, Subie enthusiasts, Tesla fans, Jeepers, and everyone else.
| SUV Model | Towing Capacity (lbs) | Payload Capacity (lbs) |
| Tesla Model X | Up to 5,000 | Up to 1,000 |
| Subaru Ascent | Up to 5,000 | Up to 1,551 |
| Hyundai Palisade | Up to 5,000 | Up to 1,570 |
| Honda Passport / Pilot | Up to 5,000 | Up to 1,625 |
| Kia Telluride | Up to 5,500 | Up to 1,642 |
| GMC Hummer EV SUV | Up to 7,500 | Up to 1,300 |
| Audi Q7 / Q8 | Up to 7,700 | Up to 1,444 |
| Rivian R1S | Up to 7,700 | Up to 2,070 |
| Chevrolet Tahoe / Suburban | Up to 7,900 | Up to 1,920 |
| GMC Yukon | Up to 8,000 | Up to 1,901 |
| Jeep Grand Wagoneer | Up to 8,200 | Up to 1,288 |
| Nissan Armada | Up to 8,500 | Up to 1,620 |
| Dodge Durango | Up to 8,700 | Up to 1,787 |
| Toyota Sequoia | Up to 9,520 | Up to 1,730 |
| Ford Expedition | Up to 9,600 | Up to 1,758 |
Picks for the Best Midsize SUV for Towing
A midsize SUV is in the Goldilocks zone in this vehicle type—small enough to enjoy improved fuel economy but large enough for passengers, cargo, and your desired towing capacity. The standard midsize SUV towing capacity ranges from roughly 3,500 to over 6,000 pounds. But there’s some variance by make and model. So here’s a handy midsize SUV towing capacity chart:
| SUV Model | Towing Capacity (lbs) | Payload Capacity (lbs) |
| Subaru Outback | Up to 3,500 | Up to 1,209 |
| Tesla Model Y | Up to 3,500 | Up to 1,349 |
| Kia Carnival | Up to 3,500 | Up to 1,559 |
| Audi Q5 / Q6 | Up to 4,400 | Up to 1,344 |
| Hyundai Santa Fe | Up to 4,500 | Up to 1,191 |
| Ford Bronco | Up to 4,500 | Up to 1,453 |
| Kia Sorento | Up to 4,500 | Up to 1,587 |
| Chevrolet Blazer | Up to 4,500 | Up to 2,083 |
| Ford Explorer | Up to 5,000 | Up to 1,372 |
| Jeep Wrangler | Up to 5,000 | Up to 1,400 |
| Toyota Highlander / Grand Highlander | Up to 5,000 | Up to 1,755 |
| GMC Acadia | Up to 5,000 | Up to 1,846 |
| Chevrolet Traverse | Up to 5,000 | Up to 1,850 |
| Nissan Pathfinder | Up to 6,000 | Up to 1,572 |
| Toyota 4Runner / Land Cruiser | Up to 6,000 | Up to 1,797 |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | Up to 6,200 | Up to 1,812 |
What Is the Best Small SUV for Towing?
You’ve likely guessed it by now—if it didn’t make the previous lists, it’s one of the smallest SUVs for towing. Explore these small SUV tow ratings to see if your existing (or ideal) sport utility vehicle has the power to tow your next small travel trailer.
| SUV Model | Towing Capacity (lbs) | Payload Capacity (lbs) |
| Chevrolet Trailblazer | Up to 1,000 | Up to 1,000 |
| Chevrolet Trax | Up to 1,263 | Up to 1,162 |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E | Up to 1,500 | Up to 890 |
| Honda CR-V / Prologue | Up to 1,500 | Up to 1,106 |
| Audi Q3 | Up to 1,500 | Up to 1,213 |
| Toyota RAV4 / Corolla Cross | Up to 1,500 | Up to 1,240 |
| GMC Terrain | Up to 1,500 | Up to 1,252 |
| Chevrolet Equinox | Up to 1,500 | Up to 1,305 |
| Nissan Murano / Rogue / ARIYA | Up to 1,500 | Up to 1,407 |
| Subaru Forester / Crosstrek | Up to 1,500 | Up to 1,540 |
| Hyundai Kona | Up to 1,653* | Up to 1,085 |
| Kia Sportage | Up to 1,653* | Up to 1,176 |
| Kia Seltos | Up to 2,000 | Up to 1,106 |
| Jeep Compass | Up to 2,000 | Up to 1,180 |
| Dodge Hornet | Up to 2,000 | Up to 1,245 |
| Subaru Solterra | Up to 2,000 | Up to 1,255 |
| Hyundai Tucson / Venue | Up to 2,000 | Up to 1,289 |
| Ford Bronco Sport | Up to 2,200 | Up to 1,163 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 | Up to 2,300 | Up to 1,003 |
| Ford Escape / Edge | Up to 3,500 | Up to 1,081 |
*Rating for towing without trailer brakes.
Find SUV Towing Capacities
If you already have an SUV or you’re comparing them, it’s smart to use a Towing Calculator to compare SUV towing capacities. An easy-to-use tool like the one linked below allows you to select the year, make, model, and trim to get a precise towing capacity for your sport utility vehicle. But you can also contact your vehicle manufacturer.
New to Towing a Camper?
Uncertain what all the acronyms mean? GVW, GVWR? We’ve got you. Use these resources to learn about safe RV towing and the important accessories you’ll need before hitting the road.
- RV Weight Ratings Explained
- Which States Require a Trailer Braking System?
- What Is a Trailer Brake Controller?
- Do You Really Need a Weight Distribution Hitch?
- Sway Control vs Weight Distribution
What RVs Can You Tow with an SUV?
Here’s a list of some of our favorite brands with smaller RV floor plans designed for the best towing SUVs:
- Keystone Coleman & Coleman Light
- Jayco Jay Flight SLX
- East to West Silver Lake LE
- Forest River Wolf Pup
- Rockwood Geo-Pro
- Flagstaff E-Pro
- Forest River Ozark
- Keystone Springdale Classic Mini
- Heartland Mallard
- Prime Time Avenger
While those brands will narrow your search, researching the individual models is your next step, followed by scheduling a tour to see them in person at your local Camping World. Use these additional resources to find your perfect SUV-towable camper:
Do you have any questions about finding a good towing SUV? Let us know in the comments below!
The post What Is the Best SUV for Towing a Camper? appeared first on Camping World Blog.
