5 Tow Boom for Pickup Truck Reviews: Find the Right Pick

Lifting heavy loads in your truck bed doesn’t have to be a struggle. A tow boom turns your pickup into a portable crane, letting you hoist engines, equipment, or building materials with ease.

This guide reviews five different tow booms, from hydraulic cranes to towing poles, so you can choose the one that matches your typical jobs. We’ll break down each product’s key features and best use cases.

Ultra-Tow Hydraulic Pickup Truck Crane – 1000-Lb. Capacity

The Ultra-Tow hydraulic crane offers a solid 1000-pound capacity when fully retracted, dropping to 500 pounds when extended. Its steel boom adjusts from 33 inches to 53.5 inches and locks in four positions, giving you flexibility for different load sizes. The base swivels a full 360 degrees, making it easy to position heavy items exactly where you need them in the bed.

This model is a straightforward choice if you need reliable lifting power without extra frills. The hydraulic ram does the heavy work, and the four locking positions let you fine-tune the reach. It’s well-suited for farm, workshop, or construction tasks where you regularly handle loads up to half a ton.

View all product features

• Lifts 1000 lbs. fully retracted; 500 lbs. fully extended
• Steel boom extends from 33in. to 53 1/2in.
• Boom extension locks in 4 positions
• Base swivels 360°
• Lift range of 9in. to 56in.

---

CAMMOO 1000lbs Receiver Hitch Mounted Hydraulic Truck Crane

The CAMMOO crane boasts a maximum 1000-pound load capacity powered by an 8-ton hydraulic pump, with selectable settings for 500, 750, or 1000 pounds. Its customizable lift height reaches up to 94 inches thanks to a jack extension and adjustable support legs. An additional 6-inch extended boom increases the lifting length to 53 inches, and the unit rotates a full 360 degrees.

Storage and installation are simplified with a pre-installed base and a foldable boom design. This crane is ideal if you need versatility in both height and reach for tasks like loading heavy equipment or materials. The adjustable capacity settings let you match the crane’s power to the load, reducing the risk of overloading.

View all product features

• 1,000 lbs Maximum Load Capacity: Powered by an 8T hydraulic Pump, this truck crane effortlessly handles loads of 500lbs, 750lbs and 1,000 lbs, making it ideal for heavy-duty tasks like household moving or commercial loading.
• Customizable Lift Height of up to 94'': The extended boom of our hydraulic crane, combined with a jack extension and adjustable support legs, provides a lifting range of 16-94 inches, ensuring safer loading and unloading. Avoid cargo colliding with your truck bed with this Heavy-Duty Hydraulic Crane!
• Extended Lifting Length of up to 53'': Extend further with an additional 6-inch extended boom, increasing the lifting length of the pickup truck crane to 53 inches. With 360° rotation, this hydraulic crane offers more flexibility, allowing you to precisely position loads across your truck bed for maximum efficiency.
• Easy Storage & Installation: Featuring a pre-installed base and foldable boom, this pick-up crane saves time and space. No complex disassembly required—just fold and store for future use!
• Wider Compatibility: Please measure the ground clearance of your truck's receiver hitch beforehand. This hydraulic lift, is designed to connect to your truck's receiver hitch provided 16-30 inches of ground clearance, this crane is compatible with most small and medium-sized pickup trucks, making it a versatile addition to your vehicle.

---

Stark USA 1/2 Ton Hydraulic Cable Winch Tow Truck Crane

The Stark USA crane uses a manual hand cable winch to raise and lower cargo, with a telescopic boom that extends from 33 to 53.5 inches. It handles loads between 500 and 1100 pounds, with four locking positions corresponding to 1100, 700, 600, and 500 pounds. This design allows one person to lift engines, watercraft, and other heavy items safely.

This model is a good fit if you prefer a cable winch over a hydraulic ram for precise control. The telescopic boom and swivel base give you good maneuverability in the truck bed. It’s particularly useful for mechanics or boat owners who need to load and unload engines or small watercraft regularly.

View all product features

• Ideal for pickup truck or trailer bed crane allows for one person to easily lift engines, watercraft and more
• Telescopic boom extends from 33in to 53-1/2in to transport loads between 500 – 1100 lbs.
• Manual Hand Cable Winch to raise and lower cargo
• Boom extension locks in 4 positions (1100lbs, 700lbs, 600lbs and 500lbs)
• 360' swivel design allows for maximum accessibility

---

Heavy Duty Steel Towing Bar Pole – Recovery Tow for Trucks

This heavy-duty steel tow bar is built for towing vehicles, not lifting loads in the bed. It features a sturdy steel construction with a reflective surface for visibility during low-light towing. The included damping springs help eliminate bumps during acceleration and braking, reducing the risk of rear-end collisions. It’s a portable, removable design that fits easily in your trunk.

If your primary need is towing another vehicle rather than lifting cargo, this tow bar is a practical choice. The two-way cushioning system adds safety and comfort during towing. It’s available in various load ratings from 3 to 50 tons, so you can match it to your truck’s towing capacity.

View all product features

• Steel Tow Bar: It is made of steel, sturdy and waterproof. The thickened carabiner is more secure. With reflective surface, your tow bar is clearly visible even when towing in the dark, keeping you safe on the road
• Trailer Need To Pay Attention To: the vehicle should be started slowly, not high-speed driving, the rear car needs someone to control the direction, do not overload the use, such as the need to turn the amplitude must be big
• Two-Way Cushioning: Our tow bar is equipped with damping springs that help eliminate bumps during acceleration and braking, preventing rear-end collisions. Damage to the vehicle can be avoided when traveling over the vehicle
• Portable Towing Pole: Removable tow bar, can easily fit in your trunk. You can always take it with you in case you run into any problems and you can have someone else come with a truck to tow your car home
• 3 – 50 tons Towing Capacity: Our tow bar has a strong towing capacity of 3 – 50 tons, with reinforced hitch, it can tow small cars/ medium vans/ pickup trucks/ SUVs. You can choose the tow bar that suits your needs

---

Ultra-Tow Hydraulic Pickup Truck Crane with Hand Winch – 2000-Lb

The Ultra-Tow 2000-pound capacity crane combines a hydraulic ram with a hand winch for lifting power. Its boom extends from 37 to 51 inches and pivots 360 degrees for easy loading. When fully retracted, it lifts up to 2000 pounds; extended, it handles up to 1000 pounds. This dual lifting system gives you both hydraulic force and manual control.

This crane is ideal for heavier jobs where you need extra capacity. The hand winch allows fine adjustments, while the hydraulic ram does the heavy lifting. It’s a robust option for construction, farming, or any task requiring lifting up to a ton in your pickup bed.

View all product features

• Boom extends from 37in. to 51in.
• Pivots 360° for easy loading
• Hydraulic ram provides lifting power
• Lifts up to 2000 lbs. fully retracted; up to 1000 lbs. extended
• Lift range of 5in. to 80in.H

---

Buyer’s Guide: What to Consider

When choosing a tow boom for your pickup, focus on capacity, reach, and mounting. Here are five key factors to consider.

• Lifting Capacity: Choose a capacity that matches your heaviest typical load. Retracted and extended capacities differ, so check both.
• Boom Reach and Extension: Consider the boom's minimum and maximum length. Longer reach helps place loads deeper in the bed or over the side.
• Mounting and Installation: Most cranes mount to a receiver hitch or directly to the bed. Ensure your truck has compatible mounting points.
• Lifting Mechanism: Hydraulic rams offer effortless lifting, while manual winches give precise control. Pick based on your preference for power vs. control.
• Portability and Storage: Foldable or removable designs save space when not in use. Consider how often you'll need to store the crane.

Conclusion

Selecting the right tow boom depends on your typical loads and lifting needs. For general heavy lifting, the Ultra-Tow 1000-lb crane is a solid choice. If you need adjustable height, the CAMMOO model offers great versatility.

For manual control, the Stark USA cable winch crane works well, while the Ultra-Tow 2000-lb model handles heavier jobs. The steel tow bar is best for towing vehicles. Consider your primary use and choose accordingly.