Ram 1500 Towing Capacity (by Engine & Year)
TL;DR
Max towing on a Ram 1500 depends heavily on generation, engine, cab, drivetrain and axle ratio - always confirm the number for your exact truck rather than using a single headline figure.
There is no single towing number for the Ram 1500
The Ram 1500 has been sold across several generations, and within each generation the maximum tow rating swings by thousands of pounds depending on engine, cab style, bed length, two-wheel or four-wheel drive, axle ratio, and whether the truck has the factory tow package. A headline number quoted without that configuration attached is close to meaningless for your specific truck.
What we could verify
For the fourth-generation Ram 1500 (2009-2018), the best-documented configuration is a 2WD regular cab, long bed truck with the 5.7L HEMI V8, 3.92 axle ratio and 17-inch wheels. That setup was originally rated at 9,100 lb (4,128 kg) and was later re-rated to 10,450 lb (4,740 kg) without any hardware change, reflecting an updated calculation method rather than a mechanical improvement.
For the fifth-generation Ram 1500 (DT, 2019-present), Ram has advertised a properly-equipped maximum of 12,750 lb (5,783 kg). This figure requires the factory Max Tow Package and applies to a specific 2WD configuration - it is not the rating you get on a 4x4, with a different axle ratio, or on a truck without the tow package. Ram has offered several engines across this generation (3.6L Pentastar V6, 5.7L HEMI V8, 5.7L HEMI eTorque, 3.0L EcoDiesel, and the newer 3.0L Hurricane turbocharged inline-six on later model years), and each carries its own rating that can differ by several thousand pounds from the advertised maximum.
Where we could not confirm exact figures
We were not able to independently corroborate a complete generation-by-generation, engine-by-engine towing chart (including every axle ratio and a headline tongue-weight rating) from an accessible manufacturer or archive source at research time. Rather than publish invented numbers, this page lists only the figures that were verified and flags the rest as configuration-dependent.
Tongue weight
Ram does not typically publish one headline tongue-weight (hitch weight) rating the way it does for gross trailer weight. As a general rule of thumb for weight-distributing setups, tongue weight should run about 10-15 percent of the actual loaded trailer weight, and it must stay within the rating stamped on your truck's hitch receiver and the payload limit on your door placard - whichever is lower.
Ram 1500 maximum towing by generation and configuration
| Generation / years | Engine & configuration | Max towing (lb / kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Fourth generation (2009-2018) | 2WD regular cab, long bed, 5.7L HEMI V8, 3.92 axle, 17-in wheels (original rating) | 9,100 lb / 4,128 kg |
| Fourth generation (2009-2018) | Same configuration, later re-rated | 10,450 lb / 4,740 kg |
| Fourth generation (2009-2018) | Other cab/engine/axle combinations | Varies - check door placard, not verified here |
| Fifth generation, DT (2019-present) | Properly-equipped, 2WD with factory Max Tow Package (specific engine/axle per model year) | Up to 12,750 lb / 5,783 kg |
| Fifth generation, DT (2019-present) | Base V6, 4x4, or trucks without the tow package | Significantly lower - varies by engine and axle, check your build sheet |
| Fifth generation, DT (2019-present) | 3.0L EcoDiesel, 3.0L Hurricane inline-six (later years) | Manufacturer-specific, configuration-dependent - not independently verified here |
How to confirm the number for your own truck
The only fully reliable source for your specific Ram 1500 is your own vehicle. Check the tow rating and payload sticker on the driver's door jamb (placard), your owner's manual, and the manufacturer's model-year towing guide, and match those to your engine, cab, drivetrain, axle ratio, and installed options.
Summary
| 4th gen (2009-2018) best documented max tow | 10,450 lb (4,740 kg) |
|---|---|
| 4th gen 2009 original rating (same config) | 9,100 lb (4,128 kg) |
| 5th gen DT (2019-present) advertised max tow | Up to 12,750 lb (5,783 kg) |
| Requirement for 5th-gen max figure | Factory Max Tow Package, 2WD configuration |
| Tongue weight rule of thumb | About 10-15% of loaded trailer weight |
| Authoritative source for your truck | Driver's door placard, owner's manual, Ram towing guide |
Full diagnostics
For the complete step-by-step diagnostic and repair guide, see Ram 1500: Common Problems, Fault Codes & Repairs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum towing capacity of a Ram 1500?
It depends entirely on generation and configuration. The best-documented fourth-generation (2009-2018) figure is 10,450 lb for a 2WD regular-cab, 5.7L HEMI truck with a 3.92 axle. The fifth-generation (2019-present) advertised maximum is 12,750 lb, but only for a properly-equipped 2WD truck with the factory Max Tow Package. Your own truck's rating may be well below either figure.
Does towing capacity change with 4x4 versus 2WD?
Yes. Four-wheel-drive Ram 1500s typically carry a lower maximum tow rating than an otherwise identical two-wheel-drive truck because of the added weight of the transfer case and front-drive components, which eats into the truck's overall weight-rating margin. Always check the rating for your specific drivetrain, not the 2WD headline number.
What is the tongue weight limit for a Ram 1500?
Ram does not publish one universal tongue-weight number for the model line. As a general guideline, tongue weight should be about 10-15 percent of the loaded trailer weight, and it must not exceed the rating of your specific hitch receiver or your truck's payload capacity, whichever is lower. Check your hitch receiver's stamped rating and your door-placard payload figure.
Where can I find the exact tow rating for my Ram 1500?
Look at the tow rating and payload placard on the driver's door jamb, your owner's manual, and Ram's official towing guide for your exact model year, matched to your engine, cab, bed length, drivetrain, axle ratio, and any installed tow package.