RamHalf-ton pickup

Ram 1500 Towing Capacity

Compare Ram 1500 towing capacity by year, payload capacity, GVWR, GCWR, and tongue weight planning from the current TowCapacityCalc truck data. Use these specs for research, then verify your exact truck’s driver-door sticker, owner’s manual, axle ratio, towing package, hitch label, and configuration before towing.

Tow rating, up to
12,750lb
Payload, up to
1,880lb
GVWR
6,600–7,100lb
GCWR, up to
18,350lb

How much can a Ram 1500 tow? The figures above are the highest listed across 4 configurations from 2009–2024. Your exact truck can be lower depending on year, cab, bed, drivetrain, axle ratio, trim, options, tow package, hitch rating, and the driver-door payload sticker.

Source: Ram towing capacity guide — checked against the manufacturer guide Source status: partial source linked

Technical data

Ram 1500 towing capacity by year

Current project data covers Ram 1500 configurations for 2009–2024. Ratings can vary by engine, cab, bed, axle ratio, drivetrain, payload package, and tow package. Compare these planning specs against Ram towing and payload guide data, plus the vehicle certification label for the exact cab, bed, axle, engine, and drivetrain.

Model years

2024

5.7L V8 HEMI eTorque

Ram 1500 (5.7L HEMI V8)

Max towing capacity
12,750lb
Max payload capacity
1,840lb
GVWR
6,900lb
GCWR
18,350lb

With 600 lb aboard

123%of payload used towing the full 12,750 lb — 2,258 of 1,840 lb

Planning figures for this configuration
Trailer the payload allows9,538 lb
Runs out firstPayloadby 3,212 lb
Travel trailer tongue weight, 10–15%1,275–1,913 lb

Payload minus 600 lb of load, at 13% tongue weight.

Check it against your trailerOfficial 2024 configuration table

Source note

Ram 2024 Ram 1500 Payload & Towing sheet, Tradesman (24MY_Ram_1500_Customer_PayTow_2.7.pdf): 12,750 lb max towing applies only to the Quad Cab 6'4" 4x2 with the 3.92 axle and Max Tow package (GCWR 18,350 lb); that cab's 4x2 payload is 1,840 lb on a 6,900 lb GVWR. Crew cab HEMI rows are 8,060-8,300 lb (3.21 axle) or 11,160-11,400 lb (3.92 axle). Other trims weigh more and list less payload.

What actually limits a Ram 1500

Tow ratings assume a nearly empty truck. With 600 lb of people and gear aboard, the payload left for tongue weight caps this one at 8,615 lb on its tightest configuration, against a 10,650 lb rating — payload runs out first, by 2,035 lb.

Ram 1500 payload capacity

The highest listed Ram 1500 payload capacity in the current data is 1,880 lb, but your exact truck may be lower depending on trim, options, cab, bed, drivetrain, accessories, and factory packages. Door-sticker payload is the number to use for real towing because passengers, cargo, hitch equipment, and tongue weight all reduce remaining payload. The Payload Capacity Calculator works it through for your load.

Ram 1500 GVWR

Ram 1500 GVWR is the maximum loaded truck weight for a specific configuration. It includes the truck, fuel, passengers, cargo, accessories, hitch equipment, and trailer tongue weight carried by the truck. The highest listed GVWR on this page is 7,100 lb. Check a loaded truck against it with the GVWR Calculator.

Ram 1500 GCWR

Ram 1500 GCWR is the maximum loaded combined weight of the truck and trailer together. The highest listed GCWR on this page is 18,350 lb, but GCWR depends on the exact engine, axle ratio, drivetrain, and tow package. The GCWR Calculator adds the truck and trailer together.

Ram 1500 tongue weight

Travel trailer tongue weight is commonly planned around 10-15% of loaded trailer weight, but the correct range depends on trailer design, loading, and hitch guidance. Tongue weight counts against Ram 1500 payload, so a trailer can be under tow rating while still using too much payload. The Tongue Weight Calculator gives the 10, 13 and 15% figures for your trailer.

Reading the sheet in the right order

  1. 01

    Pick the exact year. Year, package, and axle changes can move the real rating by thousands of pounds.

  2. 02

    Check payload first. Passengers, cargo, hitch gear, and tongue weight usually decide the setup.

  3. 03

    Run the loaded trailer. Compare towing capacity, GVWR, GCWR, and estimated tongue weight together.

Verify before towing

Always verify your exact truck’s driver-door sticker, owner’s manual, manufacturer towing guide, hitch label, axle ratings, tire ratings, and trailer data plate before towing. This page is a planning reference based on the current project data, not a substitute for your exact vehicle labels.

Ram 1500 ratings can change by model year, engine, axle ratio, cab, bed, drivetrain, wheel/tire package, payload package, tow package, trim, and installed options. Use the listed rows for planning only, then verify the exact VIN/configuration before towing.

Ram payload and tow ratings vary by configuration; use the door-jamb payload label and certification label before towing.

Ram 1500 model years with official configuration tables

These Ram 1500 model years have a dedicated page built from the manufacturer towing guide for that year: towing capacity broken out by engine, axle ratio, cab, bed, drivetrain, and wheelbase, plus hitch receiver limits and the equipment each maximum requires. Every other year is covered by the technical data above.

Check a real Ram 1500 trailer setup

Specs are only useful when they are connected to a real trailer. Use the decision tools below to compare Ram 1500 payload, GCWR, loaded trailer weight, tongue weight, brake rules, and practical margin.

  1. 01Can I Tow This?
  2. 02Truck and Trailer Weight Calculator
  3. 03Do I Need Trailer Brakes?
  4. 04Fifth-Wheel Pin Weight Calculator

Ram 1500 towing capacity FAQ

What is the Ram 1500 towing capacity?

Ram 1500 towing capacity varies by year, engine, axle ratio, drivetrain, cab, bed, towing package, payload, GVWR, and GCWR. Use the table on this page for the current project data, then verify your exact truck in the owner’s manual and towing guide.

What is the Ram 1500 payload capacity?

Ram 1500 payload capacity depends on the specific configuration and options. The driver-door tire and loading label is the best source for the exact truck because passengers, cargo, hitch equipment, and tongue weight all use payload.

How do I find Ram 1500 towing capacity by year?

Use the towing capacity by year table on this page, then compare the year range, engine, GVWR, GCWR, payload, and notes with the manufacturer towing guide for your exact configuration.

What is Ram 1500 GVWR?

Ram 1500 GVWR is the manufacturer-assigned maximum loaded vehicle weight for the truck. It includes the truck, fuel, passengers, cargo, accessories, hitch equipment, and trailer tongue or pin weight carried by the truck.

What is Ram 1500 GCWR?

Ram 1500 GCWR is the maximum loaded combined weight of the truck and trailer together for a specific configuration.

Does tongue weight count against Ram 1500 payload?

Yes. Trailer tongue weight or fifth-wheel pin weight is carried by the truck, so it reduces remaining Ram 1500 payload just like passengers, cargo, accessories, and hitch equipment.

Can aftermarket upgrades increase official Ram 1500 towing capacity?

No. Aftermarket suspension, tires, airbags, cooling, or brake changes may affect how the truck feels or performs, but they do not change the manufacturer-assigned payload, GVWR, GCWR, GAWR, hitch rating, or certification label.

Further reading