5 Best Trucks for Towing Your Enclosed Trailer in 2023

Neighbors Trailer

Oct 26, 2023
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7 min read
best trucks for towin

Towing an enclosed trailer is one of the most common reasons drivers rent a pickup truck. The right pickup gives you safe stopping distance, smooth highway control, and the towing capacity headroom that turns a stressful trip into a routine drive. The wrong pickup gets the job done once and chews up brakes, transmission, and your nerves in the process.

This 2026 ranking covers the five best pickup truck rentals for towing an enclosed trailer, what each truck does well, and how to read the spec sheet before you sign the rental agreement. Whether you are renting a 6x12 cargo trailer for an apartment move or a 24 foot car hauler for a project car, you will leave with a clear shortlist.

What Makes a Pickup Truck Good for Towing an Enclosed Trailer

Capacity numbers alone do not tell the whole story. Three other factors matter just as much for enclosed trailer work. Wheelbase length, integrated brake controllers, and tow mirror availability are the difference between a comfortable trip and a knuckle-white drive.

Wheelbase Length

A longer wheelbase resists the side-to-side sway that an enclosed trailer can develop in crosswinds. Crew cab and supercab pickups with beds 6.5 feet or longer give you noticeably better stability than short-bed extended cab models. For trailers over 16 feet, a long wheelbase is not optional.

Integrated Brake Controller

Any enclosed trailer over 3,000 pounds loaded should be wired to the truck's electric brake system. Most modern pickup rentals include an integrated controller standard. Verify it works before you leave the lot. Independent aftermarket controllers exist but they take time to install and calibrate at the rental counter.

Tow Mirrors

Enclosed trailers create a complete blind spot behind the truck. Power-extending tow mirrors that reach the trailer's width let you see traffic coming up beside you on the highway. They are worth paying extra for on any rental over a single-day trip.

The Five Best Pickup Truck Rentals for Enclosed Trailers in 2026

We ranked the top pickup options based on tow rating, real-world driver feedback, rental fleet availability, and pricing across major US markets. The table below shows our 2026 picks at a glance.

Rank	Pickup Model	Max Tow Rating	Best For	Avg Daily Rental
1	Ford F-250 Super Duty	20,000 lbs	Heavy enclosed up to 24 ft	$165
2	Ram 2500 Heavy Duty	19,500 lbs	Long highway hauls	$170
3	Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Max Tow	13,300 lbs	Mid-size enclosed up to 18 ft	$125
4	Ford F-150 Max Tow	13,500 lbs	Light enclosed and short-distance	$120
5	Toyota Tundra TRD Tow Pkg	12,000 lbs	Reliable mid-tier rental fleets	$135

1. Ford F-250 Super Duty

For most enclosed trailer work, the F-250 is the right call. The 7.3 liter gas V8 and the 6.7 liter Power Stroke diesel both deliver effortless towing across mountains and through headwinds. Rental versions almost always come with the trailer tow package, integrated brake controller, and power tow mirrors. At $165 a day on average, it is the best value when you factor in safety margin.

2. Ram 2500 Heavy Duty

The Ram 2500 with the Cummins diesel is the highway distance champion. Coil spring rear suspension rides better than traditional leaf springs, which matters on long hauls. Pricing tracks within $10 of the F-250 in most rental markets.

3. Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Max Tow

For mid-size enclosed trailers, the Silverado 1500 with the 6.2 liter V8 and Max Trailering Package punches above its weight. It is more comfortable as a daily driver than a three-quarter-ton, and the 13,300 pound tow rating handles most cargo and motorcycle trailers with margin to spare.

4. Ford F-150 Max Tow

The F-150 is the volume king of pickup rentals. Most fleets stock plenty of them, which means availability is rarely a problem. The Max Tow Package with the 3.5 liter EcoBoost makes it competitive with the Silverado 1500. Best for shorter-distance enclosed trailer rentals where you want easy parking and lower fuel costs.

5. Toyota Tundra TRD Tow Package

The Tundra rounds out the list because rental fleet penetration has grown sharply since 2024. The 3.4 liter twin-turbo V6 hybrid produces strong torque, and Toyota's reliability reputation reduces the chance of mechanical issues mid-trip. Tow rating is the lowest of the five, so reserve it for enclosed trailers under 6,000 pounds loaded.

How Pickup Class Affects Real Towing Performance

Spec sheet capacity is the start, not the finish. The chart below shows average highway fuel economy across the five trucks while towing a fully loaded 7,500 pound enclosed trailer at 65 mph.

Bar chart comparing highway towing MPG across the top five rental pickups while pulling a 7500 pound enclosed trailer

NeighborsTrailer.com

How to Verify the Truck Before You Drive Off the Lot

Rental counters move fast. Slow down for the five steps below before you accept the keys.

Confirm the hitch class. Class IV is ideal for enclosed trailers. Class III is acceptable for trailers under 5,000 pounds loaded.

Test the brake controller. Plug the trailer's electric brake harness in and ask the counter rep to confirm the indicator light is active. The first hard stop should not catch you off guard.

Inspect the tow mirrors. If they are not power-extending, ask whether you can swap into a trim that has them. Many fleets keep one or two upgraded trims for towing customers.

Check tire pressure. Towing pressure is usually 5 to 10 PSI higher than empty pressure. Underinflated tires reduce towing stability and shorten tire life rapidly.

Photograph the connection point. Document the receiver, drop hitch, and ball before you leave. Reference the broader top truck rental for towing trailer rental guide for additional checklist items.

Pairing Your Pickup With a Neighbors Trailer Listing

For renters using Neighbors Trailer to find an enclosed trailer, knowing your pickup's tow rating ahead of time speeds up the booking process. Filter trailer listings by gross weight to match your truck's capacity. Owners who list enclosed trailers under 7,000 pounds open their rental up to anyone driving an F-150 or Silverado 1500, which expands the renter pool dramatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I tow an enclosed trailer with a half-ton pickup?

Yes, as long as the loaded trailer weight stays inside the truck's tow rating. The F-150 Max Tow at 13,500 pounds and the Silverado 1500 Max Tow at 13,300 pounds handle most enclosed trailers under 18 feet. For 20 to 24 foot enclosed car haulers, step up to a three-quarter-ton.

Should I rent a diesel or gas pickup for enclosed trailer towing?

Diesel earns its premium on trips over 200 miles. Below that distance, the per-day diesel rental upcharge usually exceeds the fuel savings. Diesel is also better for sustained mountain grades where torque matters more than peak horsepower.

Are dual rear wheel pickups worth it for an enclosed trailer?

Dual rear wheels (DRW or "dually") only make sense for enclosed trailers over 16,000 pounds or with significant tongue weight. For most enclosed trailers under 12,000 pounds, single rear wheel three-quarter-ton trucks handle the load fine and ride better.

What is the most common mistake first-time enclosed trailer towers make?

Underestimating the trailer's height. Most enclosed trailers are 7 to 9 feet tall, which means low-clearance drive-throughs, gas station canopies, and parking garages become hazards. Check height clearances before you commit to a route.

Conclusion

The Ford F-250 Super Duty is our 2026 top pick for enclosed trailer towing thanks to its capacity, brake controller, and tow mirror standardization across rental fleets. The Ram 2500 is the long-distance highway specialist. The Silverado 1500 and F-150 cover most light to mid-size enclosed work at the best daily rate, and the Tundra TRD has earned a reliable spot for renters who prefer a Toyota fleet. Match the pickup to the trailer's loaded weight, verify the spec list before you drive off the lot, and the trip becomes the easy part.

Content updated April 2026