Used Trucks Under $40,000 With a Tow Rating of 5,000 Pounds

These pickups offer decent towing power and shouldn't break the bank.

Warren Clarke | 

Feb 18, 2026 | 2 min read

Ford

The five pickups below can tow more than 5,000 pounds and are listed for under $40,000, which is less than the cost of the average new vehicle. Our lineup includes midsize and full-size trucks, and we've listed them in alphabetical order. 

Chevrolet

2023 Chevrolet Colorado

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado's towing capacity depends on the engine. This midsize truck's WT and LT trims come standard with a 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine rated at 3,500 pounds of towing capacity. 

Select the available 310-hp version of that engine on the WT and LT to tow up to 7,700 pounds with either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The Z71 and Trail Boss come with the more powerful engine as standard.

The ZR2, meanwhile, can tow up to 6,000 pounds and comes with 4WD and the 310-hp turbocharged engine. At time of publication, we found used 2023 Colorado trucks starting at around $20,000.

Ford

2024 Ford Ranger

All models in this midsize truck's lineup surpass our 5,000-pound tow-rating threshold.  Every 2024 Ranger trim except the Raptor tows 7,500 pounds, and that rating holds for both RWD and 4WD. The tow rating for Raptor models is 5,510 pounds. 

At time of publication, we found used 2024 Ranger trucks with pricing starting around $24,000. 

GMC

2022 GMC Canyon

The 2022 Canyon is a midsize truck offering three engines, though only two have a tow rating exceeding 5,000 pounds. 

The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine has a 3,500-pound towing capacity and is the default powertrain for the Elevation Standard and Elevation trims. A 3.6-liter V6 is optional on the previous two trims and standard on AT4 and Denali models, enabling a 7,000-pound tow rating with both RWD and 4WD. Lastly, a 2.8-liter turbo-diesel is optional on all trims except the Elevation Standard. It tows 7,700 pounds with RWD. With 4WD, extended-cab models tow 7,700 pounds with the diesel engine, while crew-cab models tow 7,550 pounds. 

At time of publication, we found used 2022 Canyon trucks starting at around $20,000.

Ram

2022 Ram 1500

The 2022 Ram 1500 is a full-size truck offering a myriad of powertrains and configurations, and every version tows more than 5,000 pounds. If you want the maximum 12,750-pound tow rating, choose the Tradesman trim with RWD, a 5.7-liter V8, a Quad Cab, and a 6-foot-4-inch cargo box. 

At time of publication, we found used 2022 Ram 1500 pickups priced from around $18,000. 

Toyota

2021 Toyota Tundra

The 2021 Toyota Tundra offers a single engine, but it's available with various trims and configurations, and every model in the range tows well over 5,000 pounds. To get this full-size truck's top 10,200-pound tow rating, choose the Double Cab model with RWD. CrewMax models with RWD almost match that, towing 10,100 pounds. 

At time of publication, we located used 2021 Tundra trucks starting at around $22,000.

Warren Clarke

Warren Clarke is an automotive journalist who specializes in vehicle reviews and consumer advice, and he loves helping car buyers make informed decisions. In addition to Capital One Auto Navigator, he's written for outlets such as Credit Karma, J.D Power, U.S. News and World Report, and Car and Driver.