Department of Weights & Measures
In an effort to keep legal and safe, and bring Castaic Marine's boat back intact, we towed only with the Dodge and Nissan--the only trucks with suitable mirrors. Then we immediately went illegal by measuring acceleration to 60 mph (California uses lower trailer limits, further adding to congestion) and general climbing behavior.
These were run at 100 degrees F, between 1100 and 3000 feet above sea level, air-conditioning on, in tow/haul mode. From a standing start where it spun a tire or at WOT already hooked up, the Titan beat the Ram to 40 mph, 60 mph (by more than one second), and any speed beyond. In addition, the Titan's coolant temp never budged, but the Dodge's rose, though without numbers on its gauges, we couldn't tell precisely how much.
We expect any of these trucks would comfortably pull 5000 pounds, but for hauling much more than that, a 3/4-ton would be a better option. In the past, we've found the performance numbers parallel our empty results and that the shortest gears available deliver more benefit in grunt than they detract in empty fuel economy.
Regardless of maximum tow rating, you'll probably need a weight-distributing hitch for trailers over 5000 pounds (owner's manuals should provide specifics). Without it, the five-foot lever arm from the ball to the rear axle could easily put a truck over gross axle weight.
We weighed each truck with a full fuel tank, and payload given is GVWR less that weight; we also split that by axle against truck weight distribution (typically GVWR is exceeded before rear-axle GAWR is). As-tested towing capacity is GCWR less weight and less 154 pounds for an SAE standard driver; larger wheels as on the Ram and F-150 lower tow ratings. Only the Chevy could pull its rated load as tested, and the Ford pulled the lowest percentage of its rating.--GRW
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