Best Toyota Models for Memphis Drivers Who Tow Small Boats or Trailers Without Needing a Full Truck
Best Toyota Models for Memphis Drivers Who Tow Small Boats or Trailers Without Needing a Full Truck
Towing a small boat or trailer doesn't mean you need a full-size truck taking up your driveway. For Memphis drivers who spend weekends at Pickwick Lake or haul jet skis to Sardis, the question isn't whether you can tow—it's finding the right balance between capability and everyday livability.
Many people assume towing requires a Tundra or similar heavy-duty pickup. But Toyota's lineup includes several SUVs and the midsize Tacoma that handle small boats, personal watercraft, and utility trailers with confidence.
This guide helps you match your towing needs to a vehicle that works just as well on Monday's commute as it does on Saturday's boat ramp.
Understanding What You're Actually Towing
Before matching yourself to a vehicle, it helps to understand the weight range of common recreational loads. Most Memphis boaters towing small watercraft fall into predictable categories.
A single jet ski with trailer typically weighs between 800 and 1,500 pounds total. Two jet skis on a double trailer can reach 2,000 to 3,000 pounds. An aluminum fishing boat (14-17 feet) with motor and trailer generally weighs 1,500 to 2,500 pounds ready to launch.
Small pontoon boats and bass boats start around 3,000 pounds and can reach 4,500 pounds or more with gear and fuel. Utility trailers for yard equipment, ATVs, or motorcycles usually stay under 2,000 pounds.
Knowing your actual load weight is the foundation of choosing wisely. If you're unsure, most boat dealers can provide package weights, or you can stop by a weigh station for exact numbers. From there, exploring the Toyota Model Lineup becomes much more straightforward.
Matching Your Towing Needs to the Right Toyota
Rather than overwhelming you with every specification, here's how different Toyotas align with common Memphis towing scenarios.
| What You're Towing | Recommended Model | Towing Capacity | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single jet ski or small utility trailer |
RAV4 Hybrid (standard) |
Up to 1,750 lbs | Fuel-efficient daily driver that handles light loads |
| Two jet skis or 14-16ft aluminum boat |
Highlander Hybrid | Up to 3,500 lbs | Three-row SUV with family space and capable towing |
| Small bass boat or pontoon (up to 4,500 lbs) |
Highlander (gas) or Grand Highlander |
Up to 5,000 lbs | Mid-size SUV comfort with serious towing capability |
| Larger boats or frequent heavy towing |
Tacoma (midsize truck) | Up to 6,500 lbs | Truck capability without full-size dimensions |
The 2025 Highlander with its turbocharged gas engine reaches 5,000 pounds towing capacity—enough for most small-to-medium boats Memphis anglers own. The Grand Highlander matches that capacity while adding more passenger and cargo room.
For those who prefer truck utility without a full-size footprint, the Tacoma offers up to 6,500 pounds towing capacity in a package that still fits easily in parking garages and neighborhood driveways.
Browse the New Inventory to see which towing-capable models are currently available.
How Towing Fits Into Your Real Memphis Life
The appeal of these vehicles isn't just what they can tow—it's how they handle everything else. Memphis drivers need vehicles that navigate I-240 traffic on weekdays and pull a boat to the lake on weekends without feeling like two completely different experiences.
The Highlander and Grand Highlander drive like refined family SUVs with three rows of seating. You can drop kids at school in Germantown, run errands in Southaven, and still hook up your boat Friday afternoon without switching vehicles.
The RAV4 Hybrid offers the most fuel-efficient option for lighter loads. If you're towing a single jet ski to Pickwick a few times each summer, you don't need more capability than this compact SUV provides.
The Tacoma splits the difference between SUV comfort and truck functionality. Its bed handles gear that won't fit inside an SUV, and its midsize dimensions make it far more maneuverable than full-size trucks when backing down crowded boat ramps.
The honest truth: most Memphis boaters with small watercraft don't need a Tundra. They need something that handles their actual load safely while remaining practical for daily life.
What Towing Ownership Actually Looks Like
Some buyers hesitate because they've heard towing wears out vehicles faster or requires expensive maintenance. Here's the reality with Toyota's towing-capable lineup.
Standard features like Trailer-Sway Control come built into these vehicles, helping maintain stability when road conditions or crosswinds affect your trailer. The Tacoma includes an available integrated trailer brake controller for smoother, safer stops with heavier loads.
Month one through year three looks similar: regular maintenance, occasional trailer light checks, and the satisfying routine of hitching up when the weekend calls. Toyota designs these vehicles expecting owners to use their towing capacity, not just admire it on paper.
Resale value matters too. Towing-capable SUVs and the Tacoma hold their value exceptionally well in the Memphis market, where recreational towing is part of the culture. When it's time to upgrade, you're not starting from a disadvantage.
If you want additional confidence, the Toyota Certified Pre-Owned Inventory includes inspected vehicles with warranty coverage—a smart option for buyers who want proven reliability.
Can a Toyota SUV tow a small boat to Memphis area lakes?
Yes. The Highlander tows up to 5,000 pounds with its gas engine, handling most small fishing boats and pontoons Memphis boaters own. The RAV4 Hybrid manages lighter loads like jet skis up to 1,750 pounds.
What Toyota is best for towing jet skis near Memphis?
For a single jet ski, the RAV4 Hybrid provides enough capacity while maximizing fuel efficiency. For two jet skis, the Highlander Hybrid offers 3,500 pounds towing capacity with better fuel economy than gas-only SUVs.
Do I need a full-size truck to tow a small boat in Memphis?
Most small boat owners do not need a full-size truck. The Toyota Highlander, Grand Highlander, and midsize Tacoma all handle boats under 5,000 pounds while remaining practical for daily Memphis driving.
Which Toyota has the best towing without being a big truck?
The Toyota Tacoma offers up to 6,500 pounds towing capacity in a midsize package. For SUV buyers, the Highlander and Grand Highlander both reach 5,000 pounds with their gas powertrains.
Find Your Towing-Capable Toyota in Memphis
The right towing vehicle bridges your weekday needs and weekend adventures without forcing compromise in either direction. If your load stays under 2,000 pounds, the RAV4 Hybrid keeps things simple. If you need 3,500 to 5,000 pounds capacity with SUV comfort, the Highlander family delivers. If truck utility appeals to you without full-size bulk, the Tacoma earns its reputation.
Whatever recreational gear you're hauling to Sardis Lake or Pickwick, Chuck Hutton Toyota can help you explore the options that fit your actual life. The best way to know how these vehicles feel—loaded and unloaded—is to experience them yourself.
Schedule a Test Drive and bring your questions about towing capacity, trailer setup, and which model makes sense for the way you actually plan to use it.