How Much Can a Dodge Ram 1500 Tow (Towing Capacity!)


How Much Can a Dodge Ram 1500 Tow

Do you know how much a Dodge Ram can tow? this is one of the questions our readers ask a lot. Well, we´ve got you covered.

Dodge Ram 1500 is the line of trucks that makes a proper stable of workhorses consisting of pickup trucks that range from light-duty to medium-duty trucks.

The various models are used to tow both big and small loads, not just for transporting people from point A to point B.

So, how much can a Dodge Ram 1500 tow? It depends on the exact model, engine, and other towing equipment. For 2021 Ram 1500 it ranges between 6,760 and 11,650 pounds, while for 2021 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab goes up to 35,050 pounds.

So, let’s get into more details about towing capacity of each model in the range.

What is a Dodge Ram’s Towing Capacity?

Because the Dodge Ram is a range of models, the answer to this question depends on that fact first and foremost.

But the matters are even more complicated as this number is also dictated by the exact combination of engines and other equipment.

The bottom of the lineup is made of Ram 1500 Classic which can be equipped with either the Pentastar 3.6 liter V6 or HEMI 5.7 liter V8, both running on gasoline:

  • Pentastar 3.6 V6 – towing capacity is between 7,060 and 7,660 pounds
  • HEMI 5.7 V8 – towing capacity is between 9,000 and 10,610 pounds

Above it is the Ram 1500, non-Classic, that choice of five different engines, FCA 3.0 liter V6 EcoDiesel, Pentastar 3.6 liter V6 with eTorque hybrid system, HEMI 5.7 liter V8 with or without eTorque hybrid system, and SRT tuned HEMI 6.2 liter turbocharged V8.

While EcoDiesel, as its name suggests, is a diesel engine, all others in the lineup are gasoline-powered one, and Rams with them have towing capacity:

  • FCA 3.0 EcoDiesel – towing capacity between 8,260 and 10,080 pounds
  • Pentastar 3.6 V6 – towing capacity between 6,760 and 7,740 pounds
  • HEMI 5.7 V8 – towing capacity between 11,280 and 11,650 pounds
  • HEMI 5.7 V8 with eTorque – towing capacity 8,140 and 11,560 pounds
  • HEMI 6.2 V8 – towing capacity of 8,100 pounds

Next in the lineup are Ram 2500 models, which have the choice of two engines, HEMI 6.4 liter V8 Heavy Duty gasoline engine, and Cummins 6.7 liter I6 turbocharged diesel engine.

Depending on the selected engine option, towing capacity ranges are:

  • HEMI 6.4 V8 HD – towing capacity between 9,470 and 17,350 pounds
  • Cummins 6.7 I6 Turbodiesel – towing capacity between 11,640 and 20,000 pounds

The largest pickup with a crew cab is Ram 3500, and it has the same two engine and transmission options as Ram 2500.

But also the third option, so-called HO or High output Cummins 6.7 inline-6 turbodiesel paired with Aisin AS69RC Heavy-Duty 6-speed automatic transmission instead of the 6-speed 68RFE.

The HO has 420HP and 1,075lb-ft of torque, while the non-HO model has 370 and 850 respectively.

The towing ranges for these three options are:

  • HEMI 6.4 V8 HD – towing capacity between 15,990 and 18,210 pounds
  • Cummins 6.7 I6 Turbodiesel – towing capacity between 19,410 and 22,670 pounds
  • Cummins 6.7 I6 Turbodiesel HO – towing capacity between 23,000 and 37,100 pounds

The top of the range is occupied by the chassis cab models, and there are three versions of them, 3500, 4500, and 5500.

These three chassis cab models have the same choice of engines as the 3500 Crew Cab, but the Cummins engine is available only with Aisin AS69RC transmission.

For Ram 3500 Chassis Cab towing capacities are:

  • HEMI 6.4 V8 HD – towing capacity between 14,970 and 18,900 pounds
  • Cummins 6.7 I6 Turbodiesel – towing capacity between 20,060 and 25,890 pounds

For Ram 4500 Chassis Cab towing capacities are:

  • HEMI 6.4 V8 HD – towing capacity between 20,510 and 21,530 pounds
  • Cummins 6.7 I6 Turbodiesel – towing capacity between 28,690 and 29,700 pounds

For Ram 5500 Chassis Cab towing capacities are:

  • HEMI 6.4 V8 HD – towing capacity between 20,450 and 21,480 pounds
  • Cummins 6.7 I6 Turbodiesel – towing capacity between 34,120 and 35,050 pounds

Read also: Types of Trailer Hitches and Hitch Classes // Towing Hitches

Can A Dodge Ram Tow a Camper?

The short answer is yes, any Dodge Ram can tow a camper.

But not all Rams can tow all campers, for as long as the GVWR of the trailer is under the towing capacity of the particular truck it is safe to pull it.

When it comes to specific models, the weakest 1500 with the Pentastar 3.6 liter V6 engine can pull practically any camper shorter than 31 feet, and many of the longer ones.

Only when it comes to currently longest campers on the market, the 40+ feet behemoths such as Jayco’s Eagle 334DROK or K-Z’s Sportsmen 362BH, you would need Ram 2500 or bigger.

What Affects a Dodge Ram’s Towing Capacity?

The first and foremost factor that determines the towing capacity is the engine.

A towing capacity is a number determined by the manufacturer and represents a weight that a certain vehicle can pull while keeping both acceleration time and braking distance under certain industry standard limits.

The second major factor is the hitch weight rating of the vehicle, which depends on the rear axle and hitch assembly design.

When connected to the hitch, 10-15% of the trailer’s weight is transferred to the rear axle assemble of the towing vehicle.

Because of this transfer of weight, its design is a limiting fact of towing capacity.

Read also: Costco Trailer Hitch Installation / Trailer & Towing – CURT Hitches

Final Words

Dodge Ram is the lineup of light and medium pickup trucks, which also includes three chassis cabin options.

Because of this wide range of models, with eight different engine options and three transmission options, towing capacities have a wide range.

The smallest capacity starts with 6,760 pounds on Ram 1500 equipped with the Pentastar 3.6 liter V6 gasoline engine.

But it goes all the way up to 35,050 pounds on Ram 5500 Chassis Cab with Cummins 6.7 I6 Turbodiesel with Aisin AS69RC Heavy-Duty 6-speed automatic transmission.


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References

https://www.ramtrucks.com/towing/towing-guide.html

Mike Gilmour

Hi, I'm Mike, co-founder, and editor of RV and Playa. My passion is traveling (with my RV) and enjoying the day at the beach (Playa)! Well, I originally created this blog as a way to share what I've learned by experimenting with the RV lifestyle, and I want to help others develop in life through new skills and opportunities.

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