Ask TFLTruck: What is the Best Used Truck for Towing at Under $30K?

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What is the best used pickup truck to tow a 7,000 lbs 25-foot RV trailer for under $30K? TFLtruck recently received this questions from Wayne.

I have been a Ford F-150 owner for some time and I am looking for a “new” used truck that is just several years old to tow my 25-foot RV trailer that maxes out at around 7,000 lbs. I spend a lot of time on the road, towing my camper trailer. My budget is capped right at $30,000. The truck does not have to be a crew cab, an extended cab will do just fine. However, the truck has to be a 4×4. I am considering an F-150 with the EcoBoost V6. Are there any other good choices for my budget and towing need?

This is a great question, as many people cannot afford a brand-new truck at over $45,000. It’s a good thing that Wayne does not have to have a crew cab, because an extended cab is an opportunity to save some money over a full-size four-door.

There are a few options to consider in addition to a lightly used F-150 EcoBoost V6 for about $30,000. For starters, there is the F-150 with the 5.0L V8. We tested a V8-powered F-150 at the beginning of this year and came away very impressed. The latest Coyote V8 did very well on our Ike Gauntlet towing test.

Naturally, there are plenty of other options. Considering that Wayne spends a lot of time towing on the highway, good towing fuel economy is a benefit. We tested the latest GM 5.3L V8 versus 6.2L V8, and both of these trucks returned respectable fuel economy number on our 100-mile highway MPG loop with a trailer.It will be very difficult to find a 2014 or newer GM 4×4 with a V8 for around $30,000, but it’s worth a look.

The Ram 1500, Toyota Tundra, and Nissan Titan are also close within the pack. What would you guys recommend to Wayne? Please leave your comment in the section below.

Check out this classic Ike Gauntlet showdown of the 2013 vintage.