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Best Used Full-Size SUVs for Towing Under $25,000: What to Check

A practical shortlist of used full-size SUVs to investigate under $25,000, with model-year qualifications and a step-by-step check for tow rating and payload.
From TheFinanceBase Team5 min to read
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There is not enough comparable evidence to name ten full-size SUVs that are currently for sale under $25,000 and rank them by towing capacity. A useful starting shortlist has eight model families: Ford Expedition, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, Chevrolet Suburban, Toyota Sequoia, Nissan Armada, Infiniti QX80, and Lexus LX 570. Treat them as vehicles to investigate—not as a verified top-ten ranking or a promise that a suitable example is available at your local price.

The towing figures available for these SUVs come from different model years and configurations. The safest way to shop is to identify a specific used vehicle, check its equipment and payload, and verify its rating in the manufacturer’s guide for that exact year.

Why this is a shortlist, not a ranked top ten

The $25,000 ceiling is a purchase-budget filter, not a fixed market category. Asking prices vary with location, mileage, condition, title history, and equipment. The available price evidence identifies some plausible budget candidates, including a 2020 Nissan Armada in iSeeCars’ under-$25,000 large-SUV category, but it does not establish current local availability or typical prices for all eight model families.

Several model families also have long-wheelbase versions—such as the Expedition EL/Max, Suburban, and Yukon XL. Those are variants, not additional independent models for the purpose of reaching ten entries. Their tow ratings and prices still need to be checked for the specific year and configuration.

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#1 Best Overall
CURT 13493 Class 3 Trailer Hitch, 2" Receiver for Ford Bronco
  • Rated to 3,500 lbs. gross trailer weight and 350 lbs. tongue weight
  • Compatible with weight distribution hitch (4,000 lbs. WD / 400 lbs. WDTW)
  • Engineered with a vehicle-specific design for a custom fit
  • Tested for safety in accordance with SAE J684
  • Precisely welded for superior strength and fit

Accordingly, the list below is a shopping shortlist, not a national ranking. The cited figures are examples from particular years or sources, not directly comparable ratings for every used version.

Eight full-size SUV families to investigate

Model family What the available evidence establishes
Ford Expedition Kelley Blue Book’s 2024 used towing guide gives 9,200 pounds for a 2015 example. Differ-X’s 2026 summary reports 9,200–9,300 pounds for 2015–2019 examples equipped with the factory Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package, but does not provide every year and configuration distinction. Confirm the exact vehicle in Ford’s applicable year-specific guide.
Chevrolet Tahoe Edmunds’ 2025 information gives a maximum of 8,400 pounds with the Max Trailering package and up to 7,900 pounds in base form. These are 2025 figures, not ratings for older used Tahoes.
GMC Yukon A year- and configuration-specific tow rating is not stated in the cited material. Verify it in the applicable manufacturer guide and the vehicle’s documentation.
Chevrolet Suburban Kelley Blue Book’s 2024 used towing guide cites 8,100 pounds for certain 2013 configurations. The drivetrain and configuration matter; do not apply that figure to every 2013 Suburban or to another year.
Toyota Sequoia A year- and configuration-specific tow rating is not stated in the cited material. Check the applicable Toyota documentation for the vehicle being considered.
Nissan Armada Edmunds’ 2025 information gives a maximum of 8,500 pounds for the 2025 Armada. Trailer Life’s 2017 guide also lists 8,500 pounds for its Armada entry; that older figure applies only to the entry and configuration in that guide.
Infiniti QX80 Trailer Life’s 2017 guide lists 8,500 pounds for its QX80 entry. That is not a rating for every QX80 year or configuration.
Lexus LX 570 Trailer Life’s 2017 guide lists 7,000 pounds for its LX 570 entry. Check the model year and vehicle documentation before relying on it.

These numbers come from different sources, model years, and equipment configurations. They do not establish a fair ranking of the SUVs you can buy today for less than $25,000. In particular, newer-model maximums should not be carried over to earlier vehicles.

Rank #2
CURT 13292 Class 3 Trailer Hitch, 2-Inch Receiver
  • Rated to 3,500 lbs. gross trailer weight and 525 lbs. tongue weight
  • Engineered with a vehicle-specific design for a custom fit
  • Concealed main body for OE look and seamless integration with the vehicle
  • Tested for safety in accordance with SAE J684
  • Precisely welded for superior strength and fit

What determines the rating on a particular SUV

A model name alone does not tell you how much a specific used SUV can tow. Engine, drivetrain, axle ratio, wheelbase, towing package, and other equipment can affect the applicable limit. The 2017 Ford Expedition owner’s manual directs owners to use the limit for the exact configuration; Ford’s archive provides year-specific towing guides.

Packages can make a material difference. For example, Edmunds reports that the 2025 Tahoe’s 8,400-pound maximum requires the Max Trailering package, compared with up to 7,900 pounds in base form. That illustrates why a vehicle advertised by model and headline maximum still needs an equipment check; it does not establish the rating of an older Tahoe.

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Rank #3
CURT 13200 Class 3 Trailer Hitch, 2" Receiver for Toyota Highlander
  • Rated to 6,000 lbs. gross trailer weight and 900 lbs. tongue weight
  • Compatible with weight distribution hitch (8,000 lbs. WD / 900 lbs. WDTW)
  • Engineered with a vehicle-specific design for a custom fit
  • Tested for safety in accordance with SAE J684
  • Precisely welded for superior strength and fit

How to verify a used SUV before buying

  1. Get the exact vehicle details. Record the VIN, model year, engine, drivetrain, wheelbase, and installed towing equipment. Ask for photographs or documentation of any claimed factory tow package.
  2. Find the matching manufacturer documents. Use the towing guide and owner’s manual for that model year, then match the vehicle’s configuration and equipment to the listed rating. Ford’s year-specific archive is one example of this approach; do not substitute a rating from another year or trim.
  3. Read the vehicle’s load information. Confirm the vehicle’s payload and other applicable weight limits from its labels and owner’s manual. The trailer’s final tongue weight counts against payload, as do passengers, luggage, and installed equipment. A maximum trailer-weight figure by itself cannot show whether a loaded SUV is within its limits.
  4. Compare the actual SUV and trailer weights with the limits. Include the people and cargo that will be in the vehicle, not just the empty SUV and advertised trailer weight. Check the relevant vehicle and trailer limits in their documentation; staying below the tow rating alone is not a complete load check.
  5. Inspect condition and history. Have the used vehicle assessed for service condition and review its title and history. A published rating does not establish that an individual SUV is mechanically fit to tow.

How to shop within the $25,000 ceiling

Set the budget against real listings in your area and decide what mileage, condition, and title history you will accept. Do not treat the existence of a model in an under-$25,000 category as proof that a suitable example is commonly available at that price. If the trailer requirement is non-negotiable, first identify the required rating and then search for specific year-and-equipment combinations that can meet it; verify each candidate rather than relying on a model-family maximum.

Also consider whether you need a standard- or long-wheelbase version for passengers and cargo. Expedition EL/Max, Suburban, and Yukon XL may offer different space from their shorter counterparts, but a longer body does not by itself establish a higher tow rating. Verify price, rating, and equipment independently for the exact variant.

Rank #4
Sale
CURT 13485 Class 3 Trailer Hitch for Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage
  • Rated to 3,500 lbs. gross trailer weight and 525 lbs. tongue weight
  • Engineered with a vehicle-specific design for a custom fit
  • Concealed main body for OE look and seamless integration with the vehicle
  • Tested for safety in accordance with SAE J684
  • Precisely welded for superior strength and fit
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Sources and scope of the figures

The cited examples come from iSeeCars’ under-$25,000 large-SUV category; Differ-X’s 2026 Expedition summary; Kelley Blue Book’s 2024 used towing guide; Edmunds’ 2025 model information; Trailer Life’s 2017 guide; Ford’s towing-guide archive; and the 2017 Ford Expedition owner’s manual. The available material does not provide a consistent set of current local listings or manufacturer-verified ratings for ten budget-qualified vehicles, so no ten-vehicle ranking is claimed.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
CURT 13493 Class 3 Trailer Hitch, 2' Receiver for Ford Bronco
CURT 13493 Class 3 Trailer Hitch, 2" Receiver for Ford Bronco
Rated to 3,500 lbs. gross trailer weight and 350 lbs. tongue weight; Compatible with weight distribution hitch (4,000 lbs. WD / 400 lbs. WDTW)
$111.53
Bestseller No. 2
CURT 13292 Class 3 Trailer Hitch, 2-Inch Receiver
CURT 13292 Class 3 Trailer Hitch, 2-Inch Receiver
Rated to 3,500 lbs. gross trailer weight and 525 lbs. tongue weight; Engineered with a vehicle-specific design for a custom fit
$218.78
Bestseller No. 3
CURT 13200 Class 3 Trailer Hitch, 2' Receiver for Toyota Highlander
CURT 13200 Class 3 Trailer Hitch, 2" Receiver for Toyota Highlander
Rated to 6,000 lbs. gross trailer weight and 900 lbs. tongue weight; Compatible with weight distribution hitch (8,000 lbs. WD / 900 lbs. WDTW)
$207.95
SaleBestseller No. 4
CURT 13485 Class 3 Trailer Hitch for Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage
CURT 13485 Class 3 Trailer Hitch for Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage
Rated to 3,500 lbs. gross trailer weight and 525 lbs. tongue weight; Engineered with a vehicle-specific design for a custom fit
$225.30
Best Value
XPE Tri Ball Trailer Hitch Mount with Hook Fits 2 Inch Receiver Matte Black
  • 🚀PRODUCT SIZES: The Triple Ball Hitch with Hook including 1-7/8", 2" and 2-5/16"plating black balls. This three ball hitch is compatible with all standard 2" receivers.
  • 🚀MULTIPURPOSE : The 2" Three-Ball Trailer Hitch can be used for a variety of vehicles,RVs, cargo trailers, livestock trailers, farm trailers, off-road vehicles and more. the Triball Mount is suitable for 3 different hitch and trailer sizes,easy switch and install.
  • 🚀MULTIPLE CHOICES :The 3 Ball Tow Hitch provides three different options are available :1-7/8 inch- GTW 3,500LBS; 2 inch - GTW 5,000LBS; 2-5/16 inch - GTW 7,500LBS; and with a Hook - GTW 10,000LBS added versatility and convenience,which to meet different needs.
  • 🚀SAFETY TEATURES : Safety is always a top priority when it comes to towing,The Trailer 3-Ball Mount attached pin can firmly fix the traction hook and receiver, not easy to fall off that this hitch will last for years to come and keep you safe on the road.
  • 🚀CORROSION RESISTANT:The 2 Inch Tri- Ball Hitch is made of high-quality steel, heavy-duty welded construction, made of black powder-coat,electroplating,dust-proof,rust-proof and corrosion-resistant for added durability.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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