Matt Barnes
Contributor Matt Barnes is a mechanical engineer and former product engineer for Progress Mfg. Inc. in Utah, makers of the Equal-i-zer hitch and Fastway Flash ball mounts.
The GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate’s powertrain — a 6.2-liter V-8 engine and 10-speed automatic transmission — is great for towing and pulled our nearly 5,000-pound trailer easily.
By Matt Barnes
March 25, 2026
We test the 2025 Toyota Tundra TRD Rally’s off-road prowess, towing capabilities and real-world payload, as well as determine whether its cosmetic upgrades justify the cost.
By Matt Barnes
October 21, 2025
We hooked up a 5,000-pound camper trailer to the LX 700h’s off-road-capable Overtrail trim to find out if the hybrid system has the potential to improve the towing experience.
By Matt Barnes
July 30, 2025
To test the redesigned 2025 Nissan Armada’s towing performance, we hooked it up to a camper trailer and towed over large elevation changes to see how well it performed.
By Matt Barnes
May 30, 2025
While the Lexus GX 550 and Toyota Land Cruiser share their underlying structure, there are significant differences that affect their towing capabilities.
By Matt Barnes
February 17, 2025
The Land Cruiser offers a decent towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. But a number is only a number, so how well does it actually tow?
By Matt Barnes
December 25, 2024
We drove the Ridgeline TrailSport through various types of off-road obstacles to see how well it performed, including high-speed dirt road, an articulation test and steep hill climb.
By Matt Barnes
August 5, 2024
The 2024 Toyota Tacoma’s overall towing feel and confidence is now on par with the best in the class.
By Matt Barnes
May 1, 2024