When it comes to hauling heavy loads, you need a powerful vehicle to get the job done.

Now, most of us don’t have to haul too many heavy loads during our everyday lives. Sure, there are some exceptions (like if you’re moving), but it’s most likely part of your profession if you’re transporting heavy cargo. For example, if you’re in the business of transporting construction vehicles or farming equipment, you likely have to transport heavy loads constantly.

While you may not have to haul heavy cargo all the time, it’s fun to check out the types of vehicles that are up to the task. Here are five of the best vehicles designed for heavy hauling.

SUVs

Compared to the rest of the vehicles on this list, SUVs feel a bit plain in comparison. However, SUVs can still haul quite a bit of cargo.

While pickup trucks have the most towing capacity, they lack occupant capacity, which can be needed if you need a group of people to help you unload cargo.

Two of the top SUVs that can tow heavy cargos are the 2021 Ford Expedition and the 2021 Dodge Durango R/T. The Ford Expedition can haul up to 9,300 pounds, and the Dodge Durango R/T can haul up to 8,700 pounds.

Full-size pickup trucks

Full-size pickup trucks remain a popular vehicle style because they can be used for so many different purposes. You can go off-roading, tow cars, and haul heavy cargo.

When you’re evaluating the merits of a full-size pickup truck, their towing capabilities are important. Three of the top full-size pickup trucks, when it comes to towing, are the 2021 Ram 1500 (12,750 pounds), the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (13,300 pounds), and the 2021 Ford F-150 (14,000 pounds).

Semi-trailer truck

The semi-trailer truck, also known as “big rigs” or eighteen-wheelers,” are built purely for transporting heavy loads. There are various trailers available for semi-trucks, including flatbeds, lowboys, and removable goosenecks.

Flatbeds

Flatbeds are the most versatile and commonly used in the United States. There are many kinds of trailers used for specific freights, but they’re primarily used for transporting construction materials. They’re capable of towing up to 90,000 pounds.

Lowboys

Lowboys sit lower to the ground, which allows them to carry tall freight. These trailers are used to transport oversized items, large construction equipment, and farm equipment.

Removable goosenecks

The removable gooseneck is good at carrying long and tall freight. They can haul up to 150,000 pounds.

Ballast tractors

Ballast tractors are limited in everyday use. They’re not many manufacturers who purely make ballast tractors. They’re mainly used for transporting heavy and abnormal loads like ship sections, industrial machinery, and bridge sections.

What makes the ballast tractor unique is it pulls or pushes loads from a drawbar. They also have high traction, which allows them to transport heavy loads without losing power.

ALMA transporter

The Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) transporter is a vehicle purely designed to transport ALMA antennas. One antenna is estimated to weigh around 100 tons.

There are only a few ALMA transporters in existence. The vehicle includes 28 wheels and is powered by twin-turbocharged 500 kW Diesel engines. They were also designed to accommodate an oxygen tank to help drivers breathe in high-altitude air.

While some of these vehicles aren’t meant for the general public to use, others, such as SUVs and full-size pickup trucks, are readily available.

If you’re someone who does deal with transporting heavy loads regularly, some of these vehicles can be an excellent service to you.