BEFORE YOU BUY

Whether you’re new to towing or just have questions, we’ve got you covered. Explore
essential towing topics like the maximum tow ratings of Ram trucks and vans, calculating
towing capacity, payload capacity and more.

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2023 NEMPA Best in Class Mid-Size SUV

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Most Patriotic Brand for 20 Consecutive Years

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HOW MUCH TRUCK DO YOU NEED?

Looking to tow and not sure what towing power you’ll need? From light duty to heavy duty, we’ll show you how to find the best truck for your towing job.

TOWING AND WEIGHT CHEAT SHEETS

Get an idea of Ram truck and van towing and payload capabilities and common trailer weights with these quick reference guides.

TOWING TERMS, MADE SIMPLE

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CALCULATING TOWING CAPACITY

Knowing the payload and towing capacity numbers for your truck or van is the initial step in figuring out the capability you need to tow safely, securely and with the utmost confidence. First, we need to determine the weight ratings of your vehicle and trailer.

GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING

The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is the total maximum allowable weight of a fully loaded vehicle, including passengers and payload. This is the total amount of curb weight, cargo weight and passenger weight combined.

GROSS TRAILER WEIGHT RATING

The Gross Trailer Weight Rating is the total weight capability of the trailer plus the maximum allowable cargo in it.

TONGUE WEIGHT

The tongue weight is the amount of weight a loaded trailer exerts on the hitch of a vehicle. It should be roughly 10% of total load of the trailer when towing a conventional trailer and about 15% of the total load if you’re hauling a fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailer. Too little tongue weight leads to trailer sway, and too much tongue weight will negatively affect the towing dynamics of the vehicle, so it’s important to adjust accordingly to get your load properly distributed.

GROSS COMBINED WEIGHT RATING

The Gross Combined Weight Rating is the maximum allowable weight of the towing vehicle and the loaded trailer—including all cargo and passengers—that the vehicle is designed to tow safely and securely.

PAYLOAD VS TOWING

A truck’s payload capacity is the maximum amount of weight you can add to a truck’s bed in addition to its empty bed weight. Payload plus tongue weight cannot exceed the payload capacity. On the other hand, towing capacity refers to the maximum weight that a truck can tow after adding in the weight of the truck as well as any cargo.
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WHICH FEATURES AFFECT TOWING?

Here are some important features to keep in mind when purchasing a Ram truck or van for the purpose of towing.

ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION

The engine and transmission are at the heart of your truck’s towing and payload capacity. An engine with more horsepower and torque will increase the hauling power of your vehicle.

AXLE RATIO

Find the right balance between towing power (higher axle ratio) and engine efficiency (lower axle ratio). Ram trucks and vans come with a variety of axle ratios to meet your towing needs.

HITCH RECEIVER TYPES

Class 1 receivers are rated for around 2,000 pounds of towing capacity. Class 5 receivers can handle up to 23,000 pounds. Want to tow more weight? Go for a fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailer.
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WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM

4x2 systems send power to two of the four wheels. This leads to higher towing and payload capacities. 4x4 systems send power to all four wheels, providing greater control but more truck weight.

CAB SIZE

A smaller cab equals a lighter curb weight. That means you can tow a little bit more than a truck with a larger cab. But if you’re looking to pack in more passengers, a larger cab would be better.

BOX LENGTH

A shorter box usually has a lower curb weight, increasing the amount you can tow. If you’re towing a fifth wheel or gooseneck, you’ll want to consider a longer box to provide space for turning.
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HOW DO UPFITS INFLUENCE TOWING?

Upfits allow you to customize your Ram truck or van to add more workspace and versatility for your business needs. When it comes to towing, some upfits feature available built-in rear hitch accessories for easy towing access. Just keep in mind that the weight of the upfit must be subtracted from the total payload of the vehicle to determine remaining payload, available tongue weight and, ultimately, trailer towing capacity.

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A red 2024 Ram 3500 Limited 4x4 Crew Cab being driven on a highway towing a dump body trailer.

TOWING FAQ

These are some of the most common questions we get on the topic of towing. Check them out—they might be the same questions you have.

Torque refers to rotational power, and when applied to a vehicle, it indicates the force produced by an engine’s crankshaft, measured in pound-feet. Generally, the more torque that a vehicle can apply, the better suited it is for moving heavy objects—such as when towing or climbing steep grades.

Horsepower is a measure of the power that an engine produces, or what it takes to move an object over a certain distance in a certain amount of time. In the simplest terms, horsepower measures the rate at which work is done. One unit of horsepower is the power required to raise a 33,000-pound object by one foot in a minute.

Payload capacity is the amount of weight your vehicle can carry, including passengers and cargo. It does not include the weight of the vehicle itself.

Towing capacity indicates how much your vehicle can tow, including the weight of your trailer itself.

To calculate your towing capacity, you’ll need to know your vehicle’s Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR, which is determined by the manufacturer), the weight of your vehicle (or curb weight), and the weight of any payload you’re carrying (passengers and cargo combined). Subtract the vehicle’s curb weight and payload weight from GCWR to find how much your vehicle can tow.

GVWR, or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, indicates the maximum operable weight of a vehicle, including all components of the vehicle itself as well as fuel, accessories, the driver and any passengers and cargo, but excluding all towing.

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