Ram 1500 Towing Capacity: Up to 12,750 lb by Year

Name: Ram 1500 towing capacity by year
Creator: TowCapacityCalc
License: https://towcapacitycalc.com/terms

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.

Quick answer: how much can a Ram 1500 tow?

The highest listed Ram 1500 towing capacity in this database is 12,750 lb, with listed payload up to 1,880 lb, GVWR up to 7,200 lb, and GCWR up to 18,200 lb. 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.

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

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

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

Configuration caveat

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 year-by-year table further down this page.

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.

Year range	Configuration	Engine	Towing capacity	Payload capacity	GVWR	GCWR	Tongue weight planning	Notes
2019-2024	Ram 1500 (5.7L HEMI V8)	5.7L V8 HEMI eTorque	12,750 lb	1,840 lb	7,100 lb	18,200 lb	10-15% travel trailer tongue weight: 1,275 lb-1,913 lb	Requires the 3.92 rear axle gearing ratio for peak towing limits.
2020-2024	Ram 1500 (3.0L EcoDiesel)	3.0L V6 EcoDiesel	12,560 lb	1,780 lb	7,200 lb	15,600 lb	10-15% travel trailer tongue weight: 1,256 lb-1,884 lb	Diesel configuration with longer driving range potential; verify loaded trailer weight and payload use.
2009-2018	Ram 1500 (5.7L HEMI V8)	5.7L V8 HEMI MDS Gas	10,650 lb	1,720 lb	6,900 lb	15,650 lb	10-15% travel trailer tongue weight: 1,065 lb-1,598 lb	DS-platform quad/crew cab configuration with gas powertrain; verify axle ratio and payload label.
2013-2018	Ram 1500 (3.6L Pentastar V6)	3.6L Pentastar V6 Gas	7,600 lb	1,880 lb	6,600 lb	12,900 lb	10-15% travel trailer tongue weight: 760 lb-1,140 lb	High reliability midsize light commuter with coil-spring rear comfort suspension.

Ram 1500 towing margin results

Estimated tongue weight840 lb

Remaining towing capacity5,750 lb

Remaining payload capacity550 lb

Remaining GCWR5,490 lb

Within listed margins

This quick check estimates tongue weight at 12% of loaded trailer weight. Verify actual tongue weight, payload, GVWR, GCWR, hitch rating, tire ratings, axle ratings, and trailer GVWR before towing.

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.

Trailer weight allowed by payload versus tow rating for each Ram 1500 configuration
Configuration	Payload	Trailer payload allows	Tow rating	Binds first
5.7L V8 HEMI eTorque2019-2024	1,840 lb	9,538 lb	12,750 lb	payload
3.0L V6 EcoDiesel2020-2024	1,780 lb	9,077 lb	12,560 lb	payload
5.7L V8 HEMI MDS Gas2009-2018	1,720 lb	8,615 lb	10,650 lb	payload
3.6L Pentastar V6 Gas2013-2018	1,880 lb	9,846 lb	7,600 lb	tow rating

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

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.

Payload Capacity Calculator

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 7,200 lb.

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 18,200 lb, but GCWR depends on the exact engine, axle ratio, drivetrain, and tow package.

GCWR Calculator

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.

Tongue Weight Calculator

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.

Can I Tow This?Truck and Trailer Weight Calculator Do I Need Trailer Brakes?Fifth-Wheel Pin Weight Calculator

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.

Source notes

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.

Open Ram towing capacity guide

Towing Capacity Calculator Truck Towing Capacity Database 80/20 Towing Rule Calculator Methodology Sources

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.