Here’s what to know about the vans that can tow the most:
The Chevrolet Express van can tow the most weight, the cargo van can tow 10,000 lbs, and the passenger version 9,600 lbs. Second to it is the Nissan NV that can tow 8,700 lbs and third is the Iveco Daily which can to 7,700 lbs.
Reliable vans in order of how much they can tow are:
| Van | Tow Rating (Pounds) |
| 1st, Chevrolet Express | 10,000 |
| 2nd, Nissan NV | 8,700 |
| 3rd, Iveco Daily | 7,700 |
| 4th, Volkswagen Crafter | 7,700 |
| 5th, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter | 7,500 |
| 6th, Ram ProMaster | 7,000 |
| 7th, Ford Transit | 6,900 |
| 8th, Renault Master | 6,500 |
| 9th, Peugeot Boxer | 5,500 |
| 10th, Mercedes-Benz Metris | 5,000 |
These vans can do a remarkable job at towing because of their weight, sturdy frames, power, and robust torque-focused engines. A proper van can tow various heavy loads such as a regular sedan, boat, or camper.
And as long as you do everything within the specs, you’re good to go. So it’s just more reason to go for a model that can tow more than the capacity you require.
Remember, towing inappropriately can strain your van’s engine and gearbox, and it’ll cost you an arm and a leg when you take it for repair.
In this quick guide, I’ll take you through a detailed look at the vans that can tow the most, as well as important weight limits to consider when towing.
Let’s just get started.
10 Vans With High Towing Capacity
Picking the right van for your towing needs should be an easy task, so here are the ten vans in order of the best towing capacities,
1. Chevrolet Express Can Tow 10 000 Lbs
The Chevrolet Express is a towing beast, and its maximum tow rating is a whopping 10,000 pounds. So if you need the van that can tow the most and won’t mind some old-school look, the Chevy Express is your biggest bet.
For a sturdy workhorse with a 401 HP, 6.6-liter V8 engine, towing that much is a walk in the park. Notably, the 10,000 lbs tow rating goes for the cargo van, while the 12-passenger van can do 9,600 pounds.
General Motors has recently added a couple of state-of-the-art safety features to the latest models of the Chevy Express and its GMC Savana twin to ice the cake. These include blind-spot surveillance, a lane-departure warning system, and a head-on collision alert system.
2. Nissan NV Can Tow 8 700 Lbs
The Nissan NV is equipped with a 5.6-liter V8 engine and has a maximum tow rating of 8,700 pounds. Additionally, its square shape allows more than enough room to load cargo.
If you have an extended family or enjoy going for retreats in large groups, you can’t go far too wrong with the Nissan NV, since the passenger version has enough room for 12.
And once you hook the trailer and hit the road, you’ll realize why it’s second on the list of vans that can tow the most.
3. Iveco Daily Can Tow up to 7 700 Lbs
Newer models of the Iveco Daily allow users to choose between 2.3 or 3-liter engine capacities. You can also choose from 9 power output options, ranging from 106 to 205 hp.
While some other competing full-size vans can only manage to tow 6,600 pounds, the Iveco Daily has a benchmarkable tow rating.
It can haul 7,700 pounds in a breeze, making it a heavy-duty van that’s fit for heavy-duty tasks.
4. Volkswagen Crafter Can Tow up to 7 700 Lbs
The front-wheel-drive VW Crafter tows between 5,500 to 6,500 pounds, while the rear-wheel-drive models can tow up to 7,700 pounds.
One big advantage of this van is the Trailer Assist, which helps to instinctively maneuver the vehicle to the best possible position with the trailer.
Additionally, it uses the simplest technique conceivable to reverse a trailer, such as the electric wing mirror adjustment dial.
5. The Heavy Duty Cargo Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Can Tow 7 500 Lbs
The Sprinter van is an exclusive German machine that some folks don’t even realize can be a towing behemoth.
With the monster power of a 3-liter V6 diesel engine, you can confidently meet your towing needs.
The passenger versions of the Sprinter have a maximum towing capacity of 5000 pounds, while heavy-duty cargo versions of the Sprinter can pull up to 7,500 pounds.
In terms of safety, the Sprinter indeed goes the extra mile. Awesome driver-assist tech and safety features like the 360 degrees camera and the Active Distance Assist Distronic will help you get a load off your mind while towing.
6. Ram ProMaster Can Tow Up To 7 000 Pounds
The Ram ProMaster comes with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine that can deliver 276 horsepower.
That makes it perform superbly, and the Ram ProMaster passenger van can tow 7,000 pounds when properly equipped, while the cargo van pulls up to 6,410 pounds.
The ProMaster is a relatively modern work van, and its front-wheel-drive platform is designed to save space.
Then it comes with a little stubby nose to give you a better turning radius and unmatched visibility. Just hook a load to the ProMaster, fire it up, and get going – then you’ll feel what I mean.
7. Some Ford Transit Models Can Tow 6 900 Lbs
The Ford Transit is a full-size work van with a relatively lower towing capacity. The passenger van has a towing capacity of between 3,800 and 5,100 pounds, while some cargo versions can give you an admirable 6900 pounds.
You might balk at that, but the Transit could be your favorite if you’re looking to pull smaller loads while enjoying the comfort and agility of a full-size van.
Combine that with the legendary EcoBoost turbocharged V6 engine option, and you have excellent fuel economy.
8. Renault Master Can Tow up to 6 500 Lbs
The Renault Master is a powerful and responsive large van.
With its ability to easily take the payload and still tow between 5,500 to 6,500 pounds, it suits most towing needs beyond a shadow of a doubt.
9. Peugeot Boxer Can Tow 5 500 Lbs
The Peugeot Boxer is one of the oldest vans still on sale, but it has undergone frequent upgrades in an attempt to maintain its relevance.
It has undergone over 2.2 million miles of testing in harsh conditions to bring out the sturdiness and resilience that most van operators demand. As a result, it has risen to challenge even the very best work vans in the towing arena.
Couple the Boxer’s efficient 2.0-liter BlueHDi diesel engine with a rigid body, and you have a work van that can haul 5,500 pounds.
10. Mercedes-Benz Metris Can Tow 5000 Pounds
The Mercedes-Benz Metris comes with a 208 horsepower, 4-cylinder gas engine that supplies enough power to tow 5,000 pounds for both the passenger and cargo versions.
While that turns out to be among the lowest on this list, the Metris still has a payload capacity of 1720 pounds and has enough room to seat eight people.
What Affects a Van’s Towing Capacity
Generally speaking, most vans can tow a maximum weight of up to 10,000 pounds, and the following factors affect a van’s towing capacity:
- Engine power
- Drivetrain
- Axle loading
- Suspension
- Braking capabilities
- Tire quality
The 4 Weight Limits to Consider for Towing
Your van’s towing capacity is only one thing. There’s quite some towing lingo you need to understand, but don’t fret. You’ll easily find these ratings from your owner’s manual or the automobile association website.
These are the key weight limits you need to consider when towing with your van:
1. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
Your van’s GVWR is its maximum allowable weight. It includes passengers, cargo, and fuel, but not the trailer you’re towing (the trailer has its separate GVWR).
You’ll often find the van’s GVWR on a build plate on the driver’s door pillar.
Pro Tip: Be careful not to exceed the van’s GVWR because you can easily do so with excess passengers and cargo, even without the trailer attached.
2. Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR)
The GCWR is the absolute maximum weight allowed for the trailer and towing vehicle combination. It’s set by the van’s manufacturer and includes cargo, passengers, and everything else you’re pulling.
3. Gross Trailer Weight (GTW)
Gross Trailer Weight means the combined weight of the trailer and its cargo. For example, if you were towing a boat, that includes everything else in the boat. You can easily determine your GTW through a commercial scale, say at a truck stop.
Pro Tip: Have your trailer loaded as you would while traveling, then weigh the van and trailer separately to ensure you’re within your weight limits. Additionally, the GTW of the trailer should never exceed its GVWR.
4. Tongue Weight
Tongue weight means the amount of pressure the trailer would put on your vehicle’s trailer hitch.
A ball-mounted hitch requires a tongue weight within 10-15% of the GTW for safe towing and steering.
If it goes beyond that, you’ll have too much pressure on your van’s tires and suspension. And if it falls way too shy of that, you’ll likely have trouble with a swaying van.
Pro Tip: Consider towing limits as maximums rather than suggestions. It’s good manners to stay well below the maximums so you can pull your trailer safely and prevent wearing down your van.
Final Thoughts
While cargo vans are primarily designed to offer lots of cargo space and payload capacity; they can still do a remarkable job at towing.
Additionally, most vans can handle heavy-duty jobs, but they’re obviously not built alike. That’s why the Chevrolet Express van can tow the most, with its tow rating staggering at 10,000 pounds.
Other vans like the Nissan NV follow closely behind.