Best vans for towing 2024
There are times when even the largest van isn’t big enough. When you need to carry more equipment than usual or a load’s simply too big for the cargo bay, having a van that’s great at towing is a bonus.
Most vans are bought for work but no single model is suitable for all jobs, including towing. Whether you need to haul a sit-on mower, a mini digger, extra materials and equipment or even a caravan to stay on-site for a while, there are many reasons you might need a van that will also double-up as a towing vehicle.
Not all vans are great for towing and if you need a low-emission one there’s very limited choice when it comes to electric vans. Thankfully, there are many others that haul heavy loads along with ease.
Here are the best vans for towing that you can buy:
Best vans for towing |
Iveco Daily
With its separate chassis and rugged rear-wheel-drive layout the Iveco Daily is sturdy, workmanlike and a brilliant tow vehicle. It’s officially rated to tow a braked trailer of up to 3.5 tonnes meaning it’s ideal for carrying plant and gardening equipment as well as towing car trailers.
Mercedes Sprinter
The sturdiest Mercedes Sprinters will tow up to 3.5 tonnes but only if specified with the uprated towing pack — worth knowing if you’re looking at used examples, as it involves a modification to the rear bulkhead and stiffer rear springs. Without it standard panel vans will only tow 2.0 tonnes safely.
Volkswagen Crafter
The Volkswagen Crafter comes in front- and rear-wheel drive layouts, with the latter having a towing capacity of up to 3.5 tonnes. Front-wheel drive Crafters will pull 2.0-2.5-tonne loads depending on the version, which is still pretty decent. Rear-drive is offered with the largest of VW’s panel vans as well as chassis cabs and some approved conversions.
MAN TGE
There are three versions of the MAN TGE — a heavy-duty van based heavily on the Volkswagen Crafter. Front-wheel drive TGEs will tow 2.5 tones while rear- and all-wheel drive versions of the MAN are sought after by those who need to tow heavy loads thanks to their 3.5-tonne capacity.
Isuzu D-Max
The first pickup in our list is one of the UK’s best-loved tow vehicles. The Isuzu D-Max will haul up to 3.5 tonnes in all of its formats, from basic single-cab to plush V-Cross double cab spec, making it ideal for both the business and leisure towing communities alike. It’s as happy hauling a digger as it is a jet-ski or caravan.
Land Rover Defender Hard Top
Like its iconic predecessor, the Land Rover Defender Hard Top is a fantastic utility vehicle, despite its premium image. The current model will easily pull 3.5 tonnes of braked trailer, meaning the commercial vehicle variant is every inch the tough truck that its forebear was, albeit in a posher package.
Ford Transit
The big version of the Ford Transit will pull 2.5 tonnes along in front-wheel drive guise, increasing to 3.5 tonnes in rear-drive form, with a multitude of body styles to choose between. It’s a strong and well-designed van that is still right at the top of its class despite its age and it feels very stable when towing.
Renault Master
You’ll need the twin rear wheel version of the Renault Master sold by Renault Trucks to get the best out of its towing capacity, which in that layout is up to 3.5 tonnes. Even the lighter duty examples tow well, though, with up to 2.5 tonnes of towing ability on offer from the 2025 European Van of the Year.
Ford E-Transit Custom
The Ford E-Transit Custom raised the bar for electric vans and towing when it made its debut in 2024. As well as a maximum official electric range of 217 miles when used for light duties, the E-Transit Custom has an impressive towing capacity of 2.3 tonnes, which is competitive enough for a diesel-engined model, let alone an electric van.
Toyota Hilux
For many years, owners of the Toyota Hilux weren’t allowed to exploit the tough pickup’s towing capacity to the full as the Japanese manufacturer wouldn’t approve it for anything other than its home market’s 2.8-tonne eight limit. All that changed with the current model which now has a 3.5-tonne capacity and a gross train weight of up to 7.0 tonnes.
What is MAM?
The MAM of your vehicle is its Maximum Authorised Mass — the weight of the vehicle plus its payload and whatever it may be towing. A separate measure is the Gross Train Weight (GTW) which is the maximum towing capacity of the vehicle unladen. It may imply a greater towing capacity than the MAM as it assumes the van is carrying no payload.
Do I need a special license to tow?
No, since December 2021 the requirement to have a separate towing qualification was scrapped by the DVLA and providing you don’t exceed the MAM or GTW of your vehicle, then no additional qualification is required.
Do I need towing mirrors on my van?
The rule around towing mirrors dictates that if your load is wider then your vehicle you must use towing mirrors. This is normally the case with cars and caravans but where your van is as wide as or wider than your load, it ceases to be a legal requirement.
