The short answer
A loaded trailer under 3,500 lb is within the maximum rating of most SUVs and every pickup we sell, but many small SUVs only reach their rating with a factory tow package, and Wisconsin requires trailer brakes once the trailer's gross weight hits 3,000 lb.
Manufacturer maximums are for comparison: the rating that counts is the one for the exact vehicle (window sticker, door-jamb placards, owner's manual), and the first limit you hit is often payload, GCWR or the hitch receiver rather than the tow rating.
What's in this class
Loads that often land in this range include utility trailers, single-axle snowmobile or ATV trailers, small fishing boats and small teardrop campers, but sizes vary widely within each type, so check yours. Use the trailer's GVWR or a scale ticket, not the "dry" weight in a brochure: water, propane, batteries, gear and fuel all count. Manufacturer towing figures assume a properly equipped vehicle with only a driver aboard.
Closest fits we sell, by manufacturer maximum
| Vehicle | Manufacturer max | How it's rated | Model year | Your trailer as % of max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Equinox | 1,500 lb | towing, when properly equipped | 2027 | 233% |
| Ford Bronco Sport | 2,700 lb | towing (Badlands, Class II Trailer Tow Package) | 2026 | 130% |
| Ford Escape | 3,500 lb | towing (2.0L EcoBoost, Class II package) | 2026 | 100% |
| Ford Maverick | 4,000 lb | max towing with 4K Tow Package | 2026 | 88% |
| Chevrolet Blazer | 4,500 lb | max towing with available Trailering Package | 2026 | 78% |
| Ford Bronco | 4,500 lb | max towing (Raptor); most models 3,500 lb | 2026 | 78% |
| Chevrolet Traverse | 5,000 lb | standard towing with included trailering equipment | 2027 | 70% |
| Ford Explorer | 5,000 lb | max towing | 2027 | 70% |
| Ford Ranger | 7,500 lb | max available towing with Trailer Tow Package | 2026 | 47% |
| Chevrolet Colorado | 7,700 lb | max available towing | 2026 | 45% |
What trips people up under 3,500 lb
Light trailers get treated casually, and that's where the problems start. Ball size: small utility trailers often use a 1-7/8 in. coupler while most trucks come with a 2 in. ball; a mismatched ball can pop off. Trailer brakes: a single-axle trailer loaded with a side-by-side or a load of firewood can cross Wisconsin's 3,000 lb brake threshold even if the empty trailer weighs a few hundred pounds. Small SUVs: some compact SUVs only reach their maximum with a factory tow package, so check the sticker before you buy a hitch. Lights: four-pin plugs corrode fast on salted roads; a dab of dielectric grease each fall helps.
The hitch-weight math for this class
Run the numbers for your truck
Example: a 3,500 lb trailer
Enter numbers for the exact truck from its window sticker, door-jamb labels and the manufacturer's towing guide. Arithmetic only; it doesn't approve a setup.
Estimated tongue weight: — (it counts against payload)
OK = under 85%, Close = 85–100%, Over = above the rating. Ford's and Chevrolet's towing guides use 10% (Ford) and 10–15% (Chevrolet) tongue weight for conventional trailers and 15% or more for fifth-wheel/gooseneck.
The example numbers are placeholders, not the ratings of a specific vehicle. Replace them with the numbers on your truck's window sticker, door-jamb placards and the manufacturer's towing guide.
Setup checklist for this class
Before you tow 1–3,500 lb
6 itemsYour ticks are saved only in this browser. Print or screenshot the list to bring it along.
How we help
Tell us the trailer (make, model and GVWR) and we'll pull the window sticker and door-jamb ratings for trucks in stock, then compare them in our towing calculator. Swant Graber Motors (Chevrolet, Ram, Dodge), 1690 E Division Ave, Barron, 715-537-5657; Swant Graber Ford, 1697 E Division Ave, Barron, 715-537-9500. Sales hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Sat 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Questions
What can tow 3,500 lb?
From our lineup, 21 models have a manufacturer maximum of 3,500 lb or more in some configuration; the table above lists the closest fits for this class. Check the exact vehicle's rating, payload and GCWR before you hook up.
Do I need trailer brakes in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin requires brakes on a trailer with a gross weight of 3,000 lb or more (Wis. Stat. 347.35(3)(a)).
Can a small SUV tow a snowmobile trailer?
Many can, if the loaded trailer and sleds stay under the SUV's rating for that configuration. Check the window sticker for a tow package and the owner's manual for the rating, and weigh the trailer with both sleds and gear on it.
Do I need a weight-distributing hitch under 3,500 lb?
Usually not, but follow the vehicle's owner's manual and hitch label: some vehicles call for one above a certain trailer or tongue weight.
Next steps at Swant Graber
Swant Graber Motors (Chevrolet, Ram, Dodge): 1690 E Division Ave, Barron, WI 54812, 715-537-5657. Swant Graber Ford: 1697 E Division Ave, 715-537-9500. Search new or used inventory, or see shop near you for model-by-model answers.
