The run from Panama City out to Panama City Beach on US-98 is barely 10 miles, so it's fair to wonder why picking the wrong truck feels like a much bigger mistake.
Because that 10 miles comes with a boat trailer on the back, a cab full of people baking in August heat, a narrow concrete ramp at St. Andrews State Park, and a salt-air environment quietly trying to shave a year or two off every mechanical component your truck has. The truck that wins a national towing chart isn't always the right pick for this specific errand. Our top pick for this route is the used Ford F-150. We'll tell you exactly why, plus four solid alternatives depending on what you're actually hauling and how you use the truck the other five days of the week.
The Ranking at a Glance
| Rank | Pick | Best For | Standout Spec |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ford F-150 (2021-2023) | Boat towners, families, daily combo | Max tow up to 14,000 lbs (properly equipped); PowerBoost EPA 25/25 mpg city/hwy |
| 2 | Ram 1500 (2021-2023) | Comfort-first towners, weekend warriors | Coil-spring rear suspension; max tow up to 12,750 lbs with 5.7L HEMI V8 |
| 3 | GMC Sierra 1500 (2022-2023) | Refined cab with real tow capacity | Max tow up to 13,300 lbs (6.2L V8, optimal config); fewer NHTSA recalls than 2020 |
| 4 | Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (2021-2023) | Value-focused towners who prefer V8 simplicity | Up to ~13,400 lbs tow when properly equipped; broad parts availability |
| 5 | Toyota Tacoma (2024-2025, i-FORCE) | Smaller boats, campers, tight ramps | Max tow 6,500 lbs (i-FORCE 2.4L); EPA 21/26/23 mpg city/hwy/combined |
#1: Ford F-150 (2021-2023): The All-Around Winner on This Route
The 2021-2023 F-150 earns the top spot because it covers the widest range of Panhandle use cases in one truck, and the tradeoff is mostly that you're paying full-size money for capability you won't always use. Set up correctly, it tows up to 14,000 lbs per Ford's trailering guides for those years. That number handles everything from a 20-foot center-console to a loaded camper. The PowerBoost hybrid adds another dimension. The EPA rates the 2023 PowerBoost F-150 at 25 city / 25 highway, which means your 10-mile US-98 hop costs almost nothing in fuel. Not bad for a truck that can haul a 7,000-pound boat.
One tradeoff is worth naming up front. If you're looking at a used 2018-2020 F-150, pay close attention to the 10-speed automatic. Owner complaints around hard shifts and gear hunting were documented in those years. Worth a careful test drive and a transmission fluid check before you commit. The 2021 and newer units resolved most of that, which is why our team watches for 2021-forward examples. The powertrain refinement is noticeable, and the tow-assist camera tech got genuinely useful for backing into tight ramps.
#2: Ram 1500 (2021-2023): The Smoothest Ride Down US-98
The Ram 1500 takes second because it rides down US-98 more smoothly than anything else here, and the catch is that it trades a little maximum tow rating for that comfort. Climb into a used one after driving most competitors and the first thing you notice is the ride. Ram's coil-spring rear suspension (a design that sets it apart from the leaf-spring setups in most full-size trucks) soaks up Bay County bridge seams and the US-98 construction patches in a way that feels almost car-like. That matters when you've got coolers, passengers, and a trailer hitch load all working against each other.
Under the hood, the 5.7L HEMI V8 in a 2021-2023 Ram 1500 with the right gear tows up to 12,750 lbs, more than enough for a 21- to 23-foot bay boat on a single-axle trailer. There's a genuine downside worth naming. Ram offered an air suspension option on the Rebel and Limited trims during these years, and it's terrific when it works. When it doesn't, compressors and air bags get expensive fast. Look for uneven ride height or suspension warning lights at rest. A truck that sits level on all four corners overnight is almost certainly fine. One that leans, get it checked first.
See used Ram 1500 listings at Bay Cars
#3: GMC Sierra 1500 (2022-2023): The Cleaner Recall Record in the GM Family
The Sierra 1500 lands third for pairing strong tow capacity with a cleaner recall record than its GM twin, and its one catch is a nicer cab you may not need. It shares its frame, powertrain options, and towing ratings with the Chevrolet Silverado 1500. With the 6.2L V8 in optimal configuration, the Sierra 1500 is rated to tow up to 13,300 lbs per GMC's trailering guide data. What separates our Sierra recommendation from the Silverado is the recall picture by year. Per NHTSA records, the 2020 Sierra 1500 carried 12 recalls. The 2022 dropped to 6. Still something to verify on any specific unit using the NHTSA VIN lookup, but the trend matters when you're buying pre-owned and can choose your model year.
Inside, the Sierra leans more premium than the Silverado, especially in SLT and Denali trim. For the buyer who wants a truck that doesn't feel like a work truck on the commute home from PCB, that distinction is real. The 3.0L Duramax diesel (available on used 2022-2023 examples) is worth a look for towing efficiency, though diesel maintenance adds a layer of complexity. Our take is simpler. Unless you're towing at or near capacity, skip it. The 5.3L V8 is the cleaner call.
Pros and Cons: Full-Size vs. Midsize for This Trip
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Full-size: 12,000-14,000 lbs tow capacity for real bay boats | Longer wheelbase makes backing tight ramps harder |
| Full-size: more bed space for gear, coolers, and passengers | Lower EPA mpg on most non-hybrid configurations |
| Midsize (Tacoma): easier ramp navigation, tighter turning radius | Capped at 6,500 lbs, not enough for a larger bay boat |
| Midsize: up to 23 mpg combined (Tacoma i-FORCE, EPA-estimated) | Smaller cab; crew of five gets tight on longer hauls |
| Any used truck: used-car value vs. buying new | Salt-air environment makes condition checks non-negotiable |
#4: Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (2021-2023): V8 Simplicity with the Widest Parts Network
The Silverado 1500 does everything the Sierra does mechanically, and it's the easiest truck here to keep running after a few Gulf Coast seasons, even if the cabin feels a notch plainer. A 2021-2023 Silverado 1500 with the 5.3L or 6.2L V8 and the tow package, set up right, handles approximately 13,400 lbs, more than enough for the boats and campers Bay County weekenders typically tow down to the St. Andrews ramp or along Thomas Drive to the Grand Lagoon launches.
Where the Silverado earns its spot on this list is parts and service access. The 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 is one of the most common, most thoroughly understood engines in the Florida service market. If something needs attention after a season of salt air and boat ramp use, you're not hunting for exotic parts. The 2021-2023 years are worth targeting because the recall count dropped from 12 on the 2020 model to 6 on the 2022. Verify the VIN of any specific truck on the NHTSA website before you buy. A clean recall history on a used truck is confirmed, not assumed.
See used Silverado 1500 listings
#5: Toyota Tacoma (2024-2025, i-FORCE): The Midsize Pick for Smaller Loads
The 2024-2025 Tacoma with the i-FORCE 2.4-liter turbocharged engine is the most fundamentally different truck here, and it lands fifth for a simple reason. Smaller loads are its lane, and a big boat is where it taps out. It isn't trying to haul a 23-foot boat. Point it at a 17-foot skiff, a pair of PWCs, or a pop-up camper and it shines, with the max tow rating at 6,500 lbs when set up right, which handles that bracket confidently. The EPA rates the Tacoma i-FORCE at 21 city / 26 highway / 23 combined. For a 10-mile US-98 run, that fuel efficiency is a genuine everyday advantage.
The Tacoma's proportions also make it measurably easier to manage at a crowded ramp. Less truck behind you means less guesswork. The honest limit is real. If you're towing anything approaching 20 feet or a heavier inboard, the Tacoma runs out of rating before you run out of boat. Know your trailer weight before you decide. For the buyer who only needs 6,000 lbs of tow capacity and wants Toyota's long-term durability track record baked into a pre-owned purchase, the 2024-2025 generation is a genuine step up from the old 3.5L V6 body style. The i-FORCE engine changed the Tacoma's game.
Browse used Tacoma listings at Bay Cars
Our Bottom Line. If we're sending one used truck down US-98 with a boat trailer, a full cab, and a Gulf Coast weekend on the schedule, it's the 2021-2023 Ford F-150. Specifically, a PowerBoost or a 3.5L EcoBoost with the factory tow package verified. The tow rating gives you room to grow, the fuel economy doesn't punish you on a short hop, and the 2021-forward generation cleaned up the transmission concerns that followed earlier examples. Every other truck here is the right call for someone. The Ram if ride quality matters more than maximum capacity, the Sierra or Silverado if you want GM reliability with excellent parts availability, and the Tacoma if your boat is small, your ramp patience is limited, and your fuel bill is a priority.
Come see us at 615 W. 15th St. in Panama City. Our team will walk you through what's on the lot, confirm the tow package, pull the VIN history, and take a good look under the rear end for anything the Panhandle salt air has been working on.
*By the Bay Cars Team | August 2026*