Towing capacity is a critical factor for pickup truck buyers, especially for those transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs) where range, power delivery, and vehicle design influence performance. The Tesla Cybertruck, Rivian R1T, and Ford F-150 Lightning are leading contenders in the 2025 electric pickup market, each offering distinct towing capabilities tailored to different needs.
Below, we dive into a detailed comparison of their towing capacities, including maximum ratings, real-world performance, range impact, payload synergies, and specific features that enhance or limit towing. We'll also consider how their engineering—battery size, motor configurations, and software—impacts their ability to haul trailers, boats, or heavy loads.
Towing Capacity Overview
Towing capacity varies across trims due to motor setups, battery packs, and vehicle weight distribution. Here's how the 2025 models stack up based on manufacturer specs and real-world insights:
| Vehicle | Trim | Max Towing Capacity | Payload Capacity | Notes |
| Tesla Cybertruck | Long Range RWD | 7,500 lbs | 2,500 lbs | Single-motor limits torque for heavy loads. |
| AWD | 11,000 lbs | 2,500 lbs | Dual motors boost traction; best for most towing needs. | |
| Cyberbeast | 11,000 lbs | 2,500 lbs | Tri-motor maximizes power but range-limited. | |
| Rivian R1T | Dual (Standard/Large) | 11,000 lbs | 1,760 lbs | Consistent across battery sizes; off-road optimized. |
| Tri (Large) | 11,000 lbs | 1,760 lbs | More torque for sustained pulls. | |
| Quad (Max) | 11,000 lbs | 1,760 lbs | Highest power, but payload constraints. | |
| Ford F-150 Lightning | Pro (Std. Range) | 5,000 lbs (7,700 lbs w/ Max Tow) | 2,000 lbs | Base needs upgrade for competitive towing. |
| Flash/XLT (Ext. Range) | 10,000 lbs | 2,000 lbs | Extended range supports heavier loads. | |
| Platinum (Ext. Range) | 8,500 lbs | 1,400 lbs | Luxury trim sacrifices towing for features. |
Key Takeaways:
- Cybertruck: Matches top rivals at 11,000 lbs (AWD/Cyberbeast), but RWD's 7,500 lbs lags for base buyers. High payload complements towing.
- R1T: Uniform 11,000 lbs across all trims, making every model tow-ready, though lower payload limits combined loads.
- Lightning: Base Pro is weakest at 5,000 lbs (7,700 lbs with $1,100 Max Tow package); Extended Range hits 10,000 lbs, but Platinum drops to 8,500 lbs.
Detailed Breakdown by Vehicle
Tesla Cybertruck: Powerhouse with Trade-offs
- Max Towing: 11,000 lbs (AWD/Cyberbeast); 7,500 lbs (RWD).
- Engineering: The Cybertruck's 123 kWh structural battery and dual/tri-motor setups (600 hp AWD, 845 hp Cyberbeast) deliver instant torque—525 lb-ft (AWD) to 740 lb-ft (Cyberbeast)—ideal for initiating heavy pulls. The RWD's single motor (~300 hp, 400 lb-ft) struggles with sustained heavy towing. Steer-by-wire and rear-wheel steering (45 ft turning radius) aid trailer maneuvering, while 17.4 inches of ground clearance (air suspension) tackles uneven tow paths.
- Real-World Performance: Tests show AWD/Cyberbeast towing 10,000-lb trailers with ease on flat highways, maintaining 60 mph, but grades above 6% slow it to 45–50 mph due to thermal limits. RWD tows 7,000 lbs comfortably but strains near max. Trailer mode adjusts regen braking and suspension for stability.
- Range Impact: Towing at 10,000 lbs cuts range 30–40% (AWD: ~200 miles from 325; Cyberbeast: ~190 miles). Cold weather exacerbates this (150–170 miles at 20°F). The canceled range extender (120 miles) leaves no buffer, but Powershare (11.5 kW V2L) powers trailer appliances.
- Features: 2-inch receiver hitch standard, 7-pin connector, trailer brake control via touchscreen. Bed (6x4 ft, 67 cu ft) holds gear alongside towing. OTA updates optimize torque distribution for towing (2025.26 added hill-hold assist).
- Limitations: RWD's lower capacity limits appeal for heavy haulers. Exoskeleton durability (bullet-resistant steel) adds weight (6,603–6,843 lbs), reducing efficiency when towing vs. lighter rivals.
Rivian R1T: Off-Road Towing Champion
- Max Towing: 11,000 lbs across all trims (Dual, Tri, Quad).
- Engineering: Battery options (92–128 kWh) power dual/tri/quad motors (533–1,025 hp, 610–1,198 lb-ft). Quad's 1,198 lb-ft ensures effortless pulls on steep grades, while 14.9-inch clearance and torque vectoring excel off-road (34° approach/30° departure). All trims use AWD, enhancing traction on gravel or mud.
- Real-World Performance: The R1T tows 10,000-lb trailers at 65 mph on highways, with Tri/Quad models maintaining speed on 8% grades better than Cybertruck due to higher torque. Dual models dip to 50 mph on steep climbs. Off-road towing (e.g., boats over dunes) shines with Rock Crawl mode adjusting suspension.
- Range Impact: Towing 10,000 lbs drops range 35–45% (Quad Max: ~230 miles from 420; Dual Standard: ~150 miles). Cold tests show ~130 miles (Max pack). Regen braking is less aggressive than Tesla, requiring manual brake adjustments.
- Features: Standard 2-inch hitch, 7-pin connector, optional powered tonneau ($3,000) secures towed gear. Gear tunnel (11.6 cu ft) stores tow straps; Off-Road Pack ($2,500) adds skid plates for trail towing. Driver+ aids trailer alignment.
- Limitations: Lower payload (1,760 lbs) restricts combined tow/cargo loads (e.g., 10,000 lbs towed + 1,000 lbs cargo risks instability). Bed (4.5x5 ft, 52 cu ft) is smaller than Cybertruck's.
Ford F-150 Lightning: Traditional Truck with EV Twist
- Max Towing: 10,000 lbs (Flash/XLT Extended Range); 8,500 lbs (Platinum); 7,700 lbs (Pro with Max Tow); 5,000 lbs (Pro base).
- Engineering: Dual motors across trims (452 hp Std., 580 hp Ext.) deliver 775 lb-ft, ample for most towing but less explosive than Cyberbeast. Battery packs (98 kWh Std., 131 kWh Ext.) prioritize range over raw power. Coil-spring suspension (8.4–10.2-inch clearance) suits light off-road but trails rivals for extreme terrain.
- Real-World Performance: Extended Range models tow 9,000 lbs at 60 mph on flat roads, slowing to 50 mph on 6% grades. Pro base (5,000 lbs) struggles with heavy trailers, but Max Tow ($1,100) boosts it to 7,700 lbs, matching Cybertruck RWD. Tow/Haul mode optimizes stability, with smoother regen than Cybertruck.
- Range Impact: Towing 9,000 lbs cuts range 40–50% (Ext. Range: ~160 miles from 320; Std. Range: ~120 miles). Cold weather drops Ext. Range to ~110 miles towing. Pro Power Onboard (9.6 kW) powers job sites or trailers, rivaling Cybertruck's Powershare.
- Features: 2-inch hitch, 7-pin connector, optional onboard scales ($650) estimate trailer weight. Frunk (14 cu ft) and bed (5.5x5 ft, 52 cu ft) offer ample storage. BlueCruise hands-free aids highway towing.
- Limitations: Base Pro's 5,000 lbs is underwhelming; Platinum's 8,500 lbs lags competitors. Lower ground clearance limits off-road towing vs. Cybertruck/R1T.
Real-World Towing Scenarios
Highway Towing (10,000-lb Trailer, Flat, 65 mph):
- Cybertruck AWD/Cyberbeast: Maintains speed, ~200-mile range. Stable but firm ride due to exoskeleton weight.
- R1T Tri/Quad: Matches speed, ~200–230 miles (Max pack). Smoother suspension absorbs road imperfections.
- Lightning Ext. Range: Slightly slower (60 mph), ~160 miles. Most comfortable for long hauls due to coil springs.
Off-Road Towing (7,000-lb Boat, 10% Grade, Gravel):
- Cybertruck AWD: Excels with 17.4-inch clearance, 35° approach; ~170 miles range. Steer-by-wire aids tight turns.
- R1T Dual/Tri: Best-in-class with torque vectoring, 14.9-inch clearance; ~150–180 miles. Rock Crawl mode shines.
- Lightning Pro (Max Tow): Adequate but struggles with 8.4-inch clearance; ~120 miles. Less confident on loose surfaces.
Urban Towing (5,000-lb Trailer, Stop-and-Go):
- Cybertruck RWD: Handles well, ~220 miles range. Rear steering eases parking.
- R1T Dual: Smooth, ~180 miles. Gear tunnel stores tow gear.
- Lightning Pro: Easiest for traditionalists, ~150 miles. Frunk aids urban utility.
Range Impact Analysis
Towing halves range across all three due to aerodynamic drag and battery strain. Data from real-world tests (e.g., Edmunds, MotorTrend):
- Cybertruck: AWD tows 10,000 lbs for 200 miles (65% range loss at 20°F). Best aero (0.335 Cd) minimizes drag.
- R1T: Quad Max tows 10,000 lbs for 230 miles (Max pack, 45% loss). Larger pack helps but less efficient (0.30 Cd).
- Lightning: Ext. Range tows 9,000 lbs for 160 miles (50% loss). Heaviest (6,855 lbs) hurts efficiency.
Mitigation: All offer preconditioning, but Tesla’s Trip Planner optimizes Supercharger stops (50,000+ stalls, 98% uptime). R1T relies on Electrify America (slower, spottier); Lightning’s NACS adapter accesses Tesla chargers but at 150 kW max vs. Cybertruck’s 250 kW.
Engineering and Towing Features
Cybertruck: Structural battery and gigacast exoskeleton (30X stainless) ensure rigidity for heavy loads. Air suspension auto-levels; Trailer mode adjusts regen/suspension. Powershare (11.5 kW) runs trailer systems. Drawback: RWD's single motor limits torque.
R1T: Modular battery/motor design balances power across trims. Torque vectoring and air suspension optimize off-road towing; Off-Road Pack adds underbody protection. Drawback: Lower payload (1,760 lbs) restricts combined loads.
Lightning: Leverages F-150 chassis for proven stability. Pro Power Onboard (9.6 kW) and onboard scales enhance jobsite towing. Drawback: Base Pro’s 5,000 lbs requires upgrade; lower clearance hampers trails.
Pros and Cons for Towing
Tesla Cybertruck:
- Pros: Top-tier 11,000 lbs (AWD/Beast), agile steering, durable bed, best charging network.
- Cons: RWD’s 7,500 lbs lags, cold-weather range hit, heavy curb weight impacts efficiency.
Rivian R1T:
- Pros: Consistent 11,000 lbs across trims, off-road towing mastery, high torque for grades.
- Cons: Smaller bed/payload limits versatility, charging network less reliable.
Ford F-150 Lightning:
- Pros: Affordable base, familiar handling, Pro Power utility, dealer support.
- Cons: Base 5,000 lbs weak, lower off-road capability, slower charging.
Who Wins for Towing?
Best Overall: Rivian R1T. Its 11,000 lbs across all trims, off-road prowess, and balanced power make it the most versatile for towing—highway or trail. The Max pack's 420-mile base range offers the best buffer when towing (230 miles real-world).
Best for Heavy Highway Towing: Tesla Cybertruck AWD/Cyberbeast. Matches R1T’s 11,000 lbs, with superior Supercharger access ensuring quick stops. Steer-by-wire aids trailer handling, but range dips in cold.
Best Budget/Workhorse: Ford F-150 Lightning Flash/Ext. Range. At 10,000 lbs and $57,495 post-credit, it’s a practical choice for traditional truckers, with Pro Power enhancing jobsite towing. Base Pro’s 5,000 lbs disappoints without upgrades.
Verdict
Choose the Rivian R1T for maximum towing flexibility—its consistent capacity, off-road finesse, and range make it ideal for varied hauls. Pick the Tesla Cybertruck for unmatched power (Cyberbeast), charging ease, and futuristic flair, especially if road trips dominate. Opt for the Ford F-150 Lightning if you want affordability, familiarity, and jobsite utility, though it trails in off-road and top-end towing. Test drive via Tesla centers (Cybertruck), Rivian hubs, or Ford dealers to feel the torque. The electric towing revolution is here—pick your powerhouse.
Sources: Tesla, Rivian, Ford, Car and Driver, Edmunds, MotorTrend, and more, accurate as of September 2025.
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